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Sicily

Italy

Sicily

SicilySicily

Italy wine regions

About Sicily

Italy's largest island and one of its most dynamic wine regions. The revolution centers on Mount Etna, where Nerello Mascalese grown on volcanic soils at high altitude produces ethereal, Burgundy-like reds with remarkable perfume and transparency. Western Sicily remains the volume heartland, with Nero d'Avola producing rich, sun-drenched reds and Grillo making fresh, characterful whites. Frappato, from the southeast (especially Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG), is a light, fragrant, cherry-scented red ideal for warm weather. The island also produces Marsala, one of Italy's great fortified wines. From Pantelleria's wind-swept Zibibbo to Etna's snow-capped slopes, Sicily's diversity is extraordinary.

-1–3021 m

Elevation range

redroséwhite

Wine styles

1 DOCG

Avg. slope 3.9°

15 DOCs

Avg. slope 7.4°

Vintages

20 · 2005–2024

Rating:
95+
90-94
85-89
80-84
<80
PeakReadyHold
Year20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005
Red

Outstanding Sicily Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Red

2022

Ready
91Excellent

Very good wines with concentration and freshness, especially on Etna.

2025Peak 2028–20352038

2021

Ready
91Excellent

Excellent on Etna with elegance and precision from Nerello Mascalese.

2024Peak 2028–20352038

2020

Ready
92Excellent

Very good balance across styles, both Etna and Nero d'Avola shine.

2023Peak 2027–20332036

2019

At peak
93Excellent

Excellent freshness and aromatic complexity, a fine Etna vintage.

2022Peak 2026–20322035

2016

At peak
96Exceptional

Outstanding vintage, especially Etna Rosso with exceptional purity and depth.

2019Peak 2024–20342038

2015

At peak
91Excellent

Very good vintage with ripe, generous fruit and firm structure.

2018Peak 2022–20302034

2014

At peak
92Excellent

Correct vintage without great distinction. Mid-weight wines.

2019Peak 2020–20262040

2013

At peak
90Excellent

Excellent Etna vintage with bright fruit and refined tannins.

2016Peak 2020–20282030

2012

Drink now
91Excellent

Average vintage, now drinking well but without aging potential.

2015Peak 2018–20242026

2011

Past window
92Excellent

Hot year yielded ripe, forward wines. Drink soon.

2014Peak 2017–20232025

2010

At peak
92Excellent

Outstanding vintage with remarkable balance, one of Sicily's finest.

2013Peak 2018–20282030

2009

Drink now
91Excellent

Very good wines with generous fruit and smooth tannins.

2012Peak 2016–20242028

2007

Past window
92Excellent

Very good reds with dark fruit and supple texture.

2010Peak 2014–20222025

DOC & DOCG

Classification System

Sicily’s wine classification has evolved rapidly, with Etna and Cerasuolo di Vittoria leading the quality revolution. The island’s IGT Terre Siciliane is one of Italy’s most important, used by many top producers.

DOCG

Cerasuolo di Vittoria, the island’s only DOCG

DOC

Etna, Marsala, Faro, Noto, Contea di Sclafani, Vittoria

IGT

Terre Siciliane, used by many premium producers for flexibility

What Sicily produces

Red

Nero d'Avola across the island, volcanic Nerello Mascalese on Etna.

White

Grillo and Catarratto, plus mineral Carricante on Etna's slopes.

Notable producers

Estates that shape how this region tastes.

Planeta

Island-wide estates, modern Sicilian style

Donnafugata

Creative wines across Sicily and Pantelleria

Benanti

Etna pioneer, volcanic Nerello Mascalese

Passopisciaro

Single-contrada Etna Rosso

Tasca d'Almerita

Historic estate, Regaleali

Cos

Natural wines from Vittoria, amphora-aged Cerasuolo

Graci

Elegant, terroir-driven Etna wines

Tenuta delle Terre Nere

Burgundian approach to Etna

Occhipinti

Natural Frappato and Nero d'Avola

Gulfi

Single-vineyard Nero d'Avola

Grapes of Sicily

Frappato

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
strawberrycherryroseherbs

Light, fragrant cherry-scented red from the southeast

Nerello Mascalese

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
red cherryblood orangeroseherbs

Etna's hero red. Pale ruby with morello cherry, violet, ash, and mineral salt over fierce tannin and high acid; looks like Pinot, drinks like Nebbiolo on volcanic ash.

Nero d'Avola

Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
black cherryplumblackberryblack pepper

Sicily's signature red, named for the town of Avola. Black cherry, plum, and blackberry with Mediterranean herb and sun-baked spice; ages into tobacco, coffee, and dried fruit.

Climate

dry

Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Coastal areas stay warm while higher elevations like Mount Etna enjoy significant diurnal temperature variation, preserving acidity and elegance in the wines.

Terroir

volcanic soilsdiverse soilsclaylimestone

Incredibly diverse, from the black volcanic soils and pumice of Mount Etna to limestone and clay in western Sicily. Coastal vineyards benefit from sea breezes, while high-altitude sites offer cooler temperatures and extended growing seasons.

Typical Aromas

volcanic mineralityMediterranean herbssun-dried tomatoalmonddried figsea salt
Explore the aroma wheel

More in Italy

Abruzzo

Abruzzo

Campania

Campania

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Lombardy

Lombardy

Marche

Marche

Piedmont

Piedmont

Puglia

Puglia

Sardinia

Sardinia

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Sicily wine special?▼
Sicily's revolution centers around Mount Etna, where Nerello Mascalese grown on volcanic soils at high altitude creates ethereal, Burgundy-like reds with incredible perfume and transparency. The volcanic terroir gives these wines a unique mineral character you can't find anywhere else. It's Italy's largest island and one of its most dynamic wine regions right now.
What are the best Sicily vintages?▼
2016 stands out as an outstanding vintage, especially for Etna Rosso with exceptional purity and depth. 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 are all very good to excellent years, with 2021 particularly stellar for Etna wines showing great elegance and precision from Nerello Mascalese.
What grapes are grown in Sicily?▼
The key grapes are Nero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese, and Frappato. Nerello Mascalese is the star of Mount Etna, producing those elegant, perfumed reds. Nero d'Avola is more widely planted across western Sicily and gives fuller-bodied wines.
Is 2022 a good year for Sicily?▼
Yes, 2022 was a very good year for Sicily reds, earning a 4/5 rating. The wines show excellent concentration and freshness, especially those from Mount Etna. It's definitely a vintage worth seeking out.
When should I drink Sicily 2022?▼
Sicily 2022 reds are drinking beautifully now thanks to their concentration and freshness. The Etna wines especially have that lovely balance that makes them approachable young, though the best examples will continue to develop for several more years.
What food pairs well with Sicily wines?▼
The elegant Etna reds made from Nerello Mascalese pair beautifully with grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and lighter meat dishes - think Sicilian classics like swordfish or caponata. The fuller-bodied Nero d'Avola wines can handle heartier fare like lamb, aged cheeses, and rich pasta dishes.
How does Sicily compare to other major wine regions?▼
Sicily is one of Italy's most dynamic wine regions right now, with Mount Etna producing wines that rival Burgundy in elegance and complexity. The volcanic terroir gives these wines a unique character that sets them apart from mainland Italian regions. It's experiencing a true renaissance with quality that's finally matching its enormous potential.
What are the best wineries in Sicily?▼
On Mount Etna, Passopisciaro (from Andrea Franchetti) and Tenuta delle Terre Nere produce exceptional single-contrada wines. Benanti is the original Etna pioneer. For broader Sicilian styles, Planeta and Donnafugata have estates across the island. In the natural wine world, Cos and Arianna Occhipinti from Vittoria are internationally celebrated. Tasca d'Almerita's historic Regaleali estate remains a benchmark for the island.
What wine regions are in Sicily?▼
Mount Etna is the most prestigious, producing elegant Nerello Mascalese reds on volcanic slopes. Vittoria in the southeast is known for Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Sicily's only DOCG, blending Nero d'Avola and Frappato. The western side around Marsala and Trapani produces rich Nero d'Avola. Pantelleria, a small island off the coast, is famous for Passito di Pantelleria dessert wines from sun-dried Muscat grapes.

Map data: vineyards.com, manually traced and edited