From Syracuse: Private Tour of Three Etna Wineries with food

Our Mt. Etna wine excursion with Roberto was easily one of the most memorable experiences of our trip. He curated a perfect mix of three wineries, balancing larger, well-known estates with intimate, local craft producers so we could truly experience the range of Etna wines. What made the day unforgettable was the personal touch. It happened to be the day my fiancé proposed, and Roberto went above and beyond to help him find the perfect setting overlooking Mt. Etna. It was thoughtful, seamless, and genuinely magical. If you’re visiting Sicily, this is an absolute must-do. Incredible wine, stunning scenery, and a guide who turns a great tour into something truly special.

Despite having challenging weather (rain, wind, cold air and intense fog) out guide Roberto was enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable. His passion and love for his country, his career and the local wine and honey artisans is what makes him so good. He made sure we were comfortable and was willing to even be a photographer for us. He navigated terrible weather to get us to the top of Mt. Etna. He was very knowledgeable about the craters and the topography. He has personal relationships with each Vineyard and that makes his presentation so interesting. If we are able to come back we will definitely request Fernando again.

We had a wonderful day with Roberto, our very experienced sommelier guide, visiting unique wineries well off the beaten track, who make delicious biodynamic wines which really connect you with the volcanic slopes of Mt Etna. Highly recommended.

Our guide Roberto was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We went to wineries of all sizes from a completely hand made old school operation to a grand chateau. Amazing and unique wines across the board and all paired with incredible views in picturesque settings!

If you only book one tour during your trip, make it this one. Our guide was warm, engaging, and full of local insights - pointing out hidden details as we made our way into the Etna region. And then came the wineries. Each stop felt like its own little discovery: welcoming hosts, stunning landscapes, and wine that tasted unlike anything we’ve tried before - thanks to those volcanic soils that give every sip a bold, distinctive character. And the food… so much food. But every bite paired perfectly with the wines and made the experience feel authentic, generous, and unforgettable. This tour truly captures the spirit and flavor of the region.

Exceptional wine tasting and vineyard tour - we loved every moment of it. We learned much more about Etna wines and the special geographical elements that make the wine so good. We were able to experience two smaller producers and one larger one and see and taste the differences between them. We feel very privileged to have been given access to the most boutique vineyard of the three, Vini Lizzio. Our driver and guide Corrado was highly knowledgeable and welcoming. We had an incredible day and highly recommend this experience to anyone who is interested in wine.

We booked this as a private 7-hour winery tour from Syracuse. The wineries themselves were excellent and the hosts were incredibly generous with their time. But the experience was absolutely not private. Another couple was booked on the exact same itinerary, about 10–15 minutes ahead of us. At all three stops, we were seated together and nothing started until both groups arrived. It made the day feel more like a shared group tour — and unfortunately the other couple wasn’t quite our preferred style. This really needs to be addressed by the operator. That said, the wineries ranged from charming to fascinating, and the lunch was outstanding. ⸻ 1. La Gelsomina (Tenute Orestiadi – Etna) A beautiful, rustic estate with a pink villa, stone courtyard, and an atmosphere that feels like old Etna. They have real charm — including a flock of hens roaming around. Their tasting included Etna whites, reds, and sparkling wines, plus some Tenute Orestiadi selections. They also took us into the cellar, where we got a great look at their fermentation setup and aging program. As a home winemaker, I really appreciated how open they were about their winemaking choices. Among the three stops, this was easily the most atmospheric. ⸻ 2. Lunch at Vini Lizzio – Presa, Piedimonte Etneo Lunch at Vini Lizzio was a real highlight. It started with bread, charcuterie, cheeses, olives, and a warm sandwich — then continued with a pasta course, and finally dessert. Everything was homemade, hearty, and delicious. They clearly take pride in their winemaking — especially in some very niche, experimental techniques: • They are one of the leading Sicilian producers of amphora-fermented wines • One of their wines is aged in cherry wood barrels • Another is aged on almonds I loved the passion behind these methods, even if the results weren’t entirely to my taste. Still, it made for a fascinating discussion and a unique tasting experience. ⸻ 3. Cantina Neri – Etna (modern terrace + incredible view) The final stop was Cantina Neri, set in a sleek, modern tasting room with floor-to-ceiling glass and a terrace looking straight up at Mount Etna. The volcano was actively venting steam during our visit, which made the view absolutely unforgettable. Their tasting was paired with olives, charcuterie, and local snacks — and the setting was easily the most dramatic of the day. ⸻ Bottom line If you want: ✅ a variety of Etna wineries ✅ generous hosts who love talking about viticulture and winemaking ✅ excellent homemade Sicilian lunch ✅ unique winemaking techniques (amphoras, cherry wood, almonds!) ✅ and a breathtaking view of Etna venting steam …this tour is a great option. But if you’re booking it because it’s advertised as private, be aware your day may not actually be private at all.

Corrado, our driver, was friendly and knowledgeable about the mountain and the area. We never felt rushed and enjoyed the day!! Wonderful wines and a different experience at each place. Lunch was homemade and yummy. One thing was awkward, there was another private tour visiting the same three wineries. The other couple seemed upset because they had to wait for us to arrive before the winery would start the tasting/tour.

Throughly recommend this wine tasting trip when staying in Sicily. Our guide Alessandro picked us up to begin our tour. We did several tours and had some ‘interesting’ trips around the many windy roads of Sicily. Alessandro was the best driver of our various tours and was very considerate in his driving style, which was very welcome! Each of the three tastings were different in terms of setting / location and wines. All provided food, which we hadn’t expected as it only advertised lunch, so that was a nice surprise. The highlight we decided what the second tasting. A small cottage industry (6k bottles only), run by two brothers and we had lunch looking over a hilltop view cooked by one of their wives - a real home made Sicilian traditional treat and their wines were excellent. We were able to go at our own pace during the day and Alessandro was always willing to wait longer if we wanted to linger.

Omar was a fantastic guide for us in wine country in Sicily. He communicated with us well before and during the trip, and recommended a great local family-run winery for us to visit. We couldn't have been happier with our day with Omar.