The Western regions are home to many wineries that can offer hospitality excellence. Planning a journey in this part of Sicily means you can stroll along unspoiled sun-kissed coasts such as San Vito Lo Capo, Scopello, Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve or the salt pans of Marsala in the Stagnone Reserve and Trapani. Just a few miles away from Trapani you can reach Erice, where time seems to have stopped several centuries ago. There are so many different cultures, cuisines, histories and traditions to discover, from Palermo’s ancient markets to its various museums and cathedrals. Traveling down the southwest coast, you navigate through a sea of vineyards until you reach Agrigento, where the temples dominate a breathtaking valley. Along this slice of Sicily, white-berried grapes such as Grillo, Grecanico and Lucido (Catarratto) are predominant and best express themselves, but Nero d’Avola and Perricone are still very present. More than 80 percent of all vineyards on the island can be found between Agrigento, Palermo and Trapani.

The Province of Trapani encompasses the westernmost promontory of Sicily. The province is blessed with ample sunlight and moderate warm weather, offering some of the best grape growing conditions on the island and resulting in Trapani being the most-planted province in Sicily. Winegrowing areas in the southern part of the province experience a warm and dry summer, while areas to the north benefit from a more temperate climate and a gentle rise in elevation toward the east. This diversity results in a broad range of fresh, ripe, fruit-forward white wines and powerful yet elegant red wines. Soils range from sandy loam to rocky with calcareous clay. Important subregions in the Province of Trapani include Alcamo, Erice, Gibellina, Marsala, Mazara, Salaparuta and Salemi.

The Province of Palermo spans nearly half of Sicily’s northwest coastline, extending south into the hills and plateaus along the island’s interior. The province is marked by the Madonie mountain range in the east. Vineyards, at altitudes ranging from 500 to 2,400 feet above sea level, receive bountiful sunlight, with proximity to the sea bringing a cooling, maritime influence. Soils are sandy and rocky, with loess (windblown silt). The white wines offer a crisp and fresh flavor, while red wines feature savory fruit with refined tannins. Important areas in the Province of Palermo include Camporeale, Contessa Entellina, Corleone, Monreale, Partinico, San Giuseppe Jato, Santa Cristina Gela, Sclafani Bagni and Valledolmo.

The Province of Agrigento stretches along Sicily’s southwestern coastline, with warm and dry inland terrains and breezes arriving from the Mediterranean Sea. This historic area of Sicily is known for expressive, light white wines and full-bodied red wines. Soils are composed of ancient marine fossils and sedimentary marl (limestone, clay and silt) transitioning to rocky areas in higher elevations. Vineyards in proximity to the sea add a fresh and savory quality to the wines. Important areas in the Province of Agrigento include Santa Margherita, Belice, Menfi, Sciacca, Sambuca di Sicilia, Grotte and Campobello di Licata.

The Eastern region has the greatest diversity, with the beaches of Siracusa and Ortigia interrupted by parts of a very jagged, rocky coastline, reaching from Acireale to Catania and up to Taormina, where the alternation between sand and rock creates a special charm. As in the Western region, various museums, as well as Catania’s markets and Taormina’s alleys, make this zone a key destination for your trip to Sicily. The hinterland is characterized by the volcano Etna and the Peloritani and Nebrodi mountains. Difficult zones for vines, however, in the highlands, valleys and terraces express themselves in a unique way. Sicilia DOC awaits you with oenological excellence and stunning facilities in these zones, to complete your wine tourist experience in Sicily.

The Province of Siracusa falls along the southeast coastline of Sicily. The landscape is distinguished by the undulating hills that end at the sea, and the soil compositions around Siracusa are mixed with limestone at higher ground, clay in the sloping hillsides, and sandy loam nearest to the sea. This is a hot and arid winegrowing area with the potential to make powerful red wines with sultry fruit, and ripe aromatic white wines that are most often used for the production of sweet styles. The most important areas in the Province of Siracusa are Noto and Pachino.

The Province of Catania is positioned on Sicily’s east coast. The landscape here differs from the rest of Sicily due to the presence of Europe’s largest volcano, Etna. Etna creates multiple microclimates due to its continuous activity, with sharp shifts in altitude and aspect to the Ionian Sea. The soils, volcanic, with concentrations of clay, silt, metals and minerals, produce white wines featuring elegant fruit, healthy acidity and sapid flavors. Red wines show fresh red fruit flavors and ripe, structured tannins. The most important areas in the Province of Catania are Trecastagni, Linguaglossa and Castiglione di Sicilia.

The Province of Messina spans the northern coastline of Sicily’s northeast corner and is the province closest to the Italian peninsula. Throughout the Messina area, various geologic contours and microclimates contribute to a diversity of wine styles. Tucked between three mountain ranges—the Madonie, Peloritani and Nebrodi—and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north and the Ionian Sea to the east, Messina is a sunny, warm, windy and wet province. Soils are deep, iron-rich and fertile. Red wines range from light and medium-bodied to deeply colored, tannic and full-bodied, and very few white wines are made here. The most important areas in the Province of Messina are Santa Lucia Del Mela, Piraino and Rodì Milici.