The Etna Wine Route welcomes visitors to explore the Etna region, bringing them to the ”Volcano” with distinct and striking tastes, aromas and magnificence. The association includes vineyards, farms, living apartments, and restaurants, providing travelers with an unforgettable experience in surroundings ranging from fresh mountain air to sea breeze.
How can you do that? You can take the historic Circumetnea train over Etna's land, traveling through several towns and getting amazing views of this unique panorama. Find more detailed travel information about Etna Wine Route.
We invite you to this fascinating journey to the volcano! Discover stone terraces, vineyards, impassable trails and, of course, wine!
In this article, we will take you through the charms of Etna Wine Route that many people are unaware of.
Wines of Etna - Intriguing and out of the ordinary
Winemaking has been practiced here for more than one thousand years. According to legend, the fire of Etna is the breath of Enceladus (a mythical giant), defeated by Athena and who was imprisoned in Sicily under Mount Etna.
The height of Etna is 3295 meters, but it varies from eruption to eruption. Modern vineyards are mainly located at an altitude of 300 - 1100 meters above sea level, for the hot climate of Sicily, this terroir is perfect for preserving freshness and acidity in wines.
The Etna wine zone is one of the most interesting in Italy and the world. Red wines from Etna are compared to excellent Burgundies as they are highly acidic, have soft tannins, precisely reflect the nature of the soil, are easily paired with diverse foods, and are always relevant. Nerello is a red variety found primarily on Etna itself. It produces some of the best performances on Etna's landscape.
The best white wines of Etna are born on the eastern slope of the volcano, where Carricante grapes are grown—the “white king” among the local varieties of Mount Etna. Carricante gives the wine elegance, tenderness, and freshness. There are also varietal wines from Carricante, which have an unforgettable subtlety and elegance of aroma, in which herbal and floral notes are guessed, accompanied by citrus shades.
Cuisine in Etna Wine Route
Etna is well-known for its honey, strawberries, prickly pear, cherries, and apples. Olive oil with the geographical label Monte Etna DOP.
From special meals of the region, oven-baked homemade pasta with pork stew and ricotta, pasta with rabbit and nettle can be discovered.
Etna is also famous for its cheeses – provolone, Sicilian pecorino with black pepper, and oven-baked ricotta are some of them.
Wine Train in Etna Wine Route - tasting with an Etna view
Aside from touring local wineries and wine, the train ride itself is pretty interesting, as it passes over ancient bridges, viaducts, and tunnels, many of which are over 100 years old.
Since 2017, visitors are given the rare opportunity to take the Etna Wine Train (Treno del Vino dell'Etna). The journey begins on an ancient train on the narrow-gauge Circumatnea, and then guests transfer to a bus that travels down Etna's Wine Route, where you will walk along the slopes of Etna.
The train travels at an average speed of 35 km/h, allowing you to enjoy the panorama and a stunning view of Etna, especially when its top is covered in snow. The landscapes range from lava plains to orange gardens. The train travel around Etna takes roughly three hours.
Wine Train in Etna Wine Route - tasting with an Etna view
Aside from touring local wineries and wine, the train ride itself is pretty interesting, as it passes over ancient bridges, viaducts, and tunnels, many of which are over 100 years old.
Since 2017, visitors are given the rare opportunity to take the Etna Wine Train (Treno del Vino dell'Etna). The journey begins on an ancient train on the narrow-gauge Circumatnea, and then guests transfer to a bus that travels down Etna's Wine Route, where you will walk along the slopes of Etna.
The train travels at an average speed of 35 km/h, allowing you to enjoy the panorama and a stunning view of Etna, especially when its top is covered in snow. The landscapes range from lava plains to orange gardens. The train travel around Etna takes roughly three hours.
Treno del Vino dell'Etna - Etna Wine Train, Sicily
What to explore in Etna Wine Route?
The northern slope
Castiglione di Sicilia, A City of Wine
Castiglione di Sicilia is located on the northern slope of Etna at an elevation of 620 meters above sea level. The term "castiglione" denotes "big castle." The castle really does rise out of the rock and appears to loom over the settlement. There is a museum and a wine library at the castle. Narrow lanes and modest houses are formed of black volcanic stone, lending a unique appeal to the area. The churches of Sant'Antonio Abbate and Santa Maria Maggiore are worth seeing in the city's medieval district.
Castiglione di Sicilia is known as the "city of wine" since the commune is home to five wineries. It is best to arrange a trip in August, when the enogastronomical festival in Castiglione di Sicily takes place. The Alcantara River gorge, one of the most stunning locations at the foot of Etna, can be the next stop. The village of Motto Camastra, which is higher up the slopes, will provide a landmark, while the parking lot and entrance to the gorge are lower.
Alcantara River Gorge
The Alcantara is a major river in Sicily with a length of 53 kilometers and a basin size of 573 square meters. The beautiful gorge developed 300,000 years ago. The river flows over black volcanic rocks that form side walls with interesting formations.
Randazzo
The city sits at an elevation of 765 meters above sea level. Randazzo, like the rest of Etna's cities, is made of black volcanic stone. Its historical center has retained its medieval aspect and is approximately 15 kilometers from the volcano's central crater.
The red and black Church of St. Nicholas (XIII century), the dark Boulevard of Arches, the tower of a medieval castle, the Church of St. Martin (XIII century) with a splendid bell tower, historic mansions, and an archaeological museum may all be discovered here.
Eastern and southern slopes
Milo
Milo, the principal city in the east of Etna, was founded by Duke Giovanni d'Aragon, who built the Church of St. Andrew in 1340.
When the volcano erupted for 372 days in 1950-51, the residents of Milo were forced to flee their houses, seeking refuge in neighboring settlements from the streaming lava. However, the following year, residents returned to their homes.
Milo's main church is dedicated to St. Andrew the Apostle, and there is a viewing platform with a view of the Ionian Sea.
Etna
A magical holiday in Sicily would be incomplete without visiting its main attraction, the volcanic volcano Etna, which erupts on a regular basis. The volcano is incredible. Smoke rings were recorded over it multiple times in the twentieth century. Seeing them is a huge accomplishment. Many legends have been recorded concerning the existence of a hot-tempered giant, who, according to estimates, arrived 500 thousand years ago. One of them, for example, claims that Hephaestus' forge is located in the vent. And only by viewing it firsthand will you know what else lurks in the bowels of a mountain with a distinct personality. The journey will be one that you'll remember. Take the funicular up the mountain, delight in the scenery, gaze deep into the historic crater, and explore the volcanic caves.
Wineries to visit in Etna Wine Route
Etna Urban Winery
For nearly 200 years, the family grew vines and produced wine before ceasing production due to the 1960s viticulture crisis. Eight cousins chose to start over in 2018, with the first, 2021 vintage recently released. They present the essence of Etna wine today as well as its history, owing to the extremely rich historical heritage they have preserved on their site.
Destro
The Destro family winery is genuinely enthusiastic about their work. Monteleguardia, a small community of rural cottages located 750 meters above sea level, is wine heaven that is difficult to leave. It is here that Nerello Mascalese and Carricante are grown, and it is here that wines are made with passion.
Sciaranuova Etna
The family goes to great lengths to ensure that the vines receive the greatest soil and nutrients available in the region. This was collected in the northwestern part of Etna, among the lava flows and trees that surround Passopisciaro. Nerello and Carricante vines were planted there and have produced a bountiful yield.
Murgo
The terroir of the vineyard is volcanic soil, and they are well-known for sparkling Nerello Mascalese wine. Emanuele Scammacca del Murgo turned the old estate into a thriving wine and agricultural farm. His sons, along with other members of his family, eventually joined him.
Antichi Vinai
The Antichi Vinai Winery is located on Mount Etna, in the Passopisciaro district of Castiglione di Sicilia. Antichi Vinai has been around since 1877. For four generations, the Gangemi family has worked with love and determination to increase the production of indigenous Sicilian vines. The winery has a century-long heritage of working among the luscious vineyards on the slopes of Etna.
Fischetti
The Fischetti is an ancient millstone at the foot of Mount Etna in the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia that was renovated by the Fischetti family. Many of the original vineyards have been preserved by the region, and there is a strong bond between man and the grapes planted here. The terroir is unique, and the location was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013.
Tenute Mannino di Plachi
Tenute Mannino di Plachi is a combination of three charming wineries – Tenuta del Gelso, Le Sciarelle, and Podere di Pietra Marina. Most of the vineyards of the estate stand in Le Sciarella, on the southern side of the volcano Etna in Sicily. Also, for Orange Plantation, they use the fertile land of Tenuta del Gelso, the newest sub-winery, on a large plot of land. And, the Pietra Marina estate locates on the northern slope of Mount Etna.
Tenuta Monte Gorna
Tenuta Monte Gorna is a winery in the Carpenel district of Mount Etna's southeastern slope. The estate benefits from a favorable environment for grape growing and optimal ripening at roughly 760 meters above sea level and flanked by oak, chestnut, and broom forests. Tenuta Monte Gorna is a family vineyard founded on genuine affection for their land.
Barone Beneventano
Our winery is on the southeast slope of Etna, facing the sea at 600-800 MLS, in a particular place because we are surrounded by inactive volcanic cones that make our volcanic soil very rich in microelements. We produce our wines with indigenous varieties of Etna following the traditional method, working the vine manually with the aim to get the best from our grapes and make wines that can well represent the incredible terroir where we are.
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