Sicily Culinary & Wine Tour

Have you always loved all things Italian? Always thought of yourself as an old school Nonna when whipping up pasta for the family? Do you sing "That's Amore" when you open your red wine?

Well if you answered yes to any of those, or just want to keep reading let us take you to a land like no other part of Italy. Welcome to Sicily!!!!

Come join Heathen Wine Tours April 30 - May 6th, 2023 as we take six days/nights to explore the Southeast of Sicily. Our journey will start with historic, delicious, eye popping adventures in and around iconic Ragusa. The city was ripped in half during the the famous earthquake of 1693, leaving a city divided by a huge ravine. Half of the city was rebuilt in a modern fashion over the years. While the old town or Ragusa Ibla very much remains the same with much Baroque architecture and influence. We'll spend our time visiting the legends, both new and old of local wine lore. Names like Occhipinti, COS, and Pettineo to name a few. These wineries produce rustic, aromatic, balanced wines from grapes like Frappatto and Nero d'Avola. Our days will be in and around local villages enjoying the finest olive oil, cheese, pasta and of course, the best produce in the world. Our accommodations in Ragusa will be in the heart of Ibla, allowing time for admiring the local Duomo, cobblestone streets with dinner and wine in the midst of old town.

From Ragusa we head north to a wine region like no other, Etna. Sitting on the slopes of an active volcano this region has emerged as an all time classic for wine lovers. Grapes like Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Carricante all thrive in these active, volcanic soils. We'll visit with the wineries that put this region on the map. Legends like Benanti, Terre Nere, and Franchetti produce wines that make one think of the finest Cru Burgundies and Barolo's. We'll enjoy a private cooking class, tour a famous castle, and pair local wines with specialties such as arancini, red prawns, caponata and of course pasta, pasta and pasta. Our home in Etna will be the 5 star Shalai Resort where you'll wake and sleep at the foot of Mt. Etna.

All in all, we'll visit no less than eight world class wineries. Hang out in some of the craziest cellars in the world, eat great local produce, chill in centuries old medieval villages like it's our job! This tour will be crazy cool with architecture and historic cultural influences tied to each location we visit. We will arrive and depart from the Catania airport.

We have 12 spaces available for this trip of a lifetime. The price is inclusive of all tastings, accommodations, private bus and driver for the 6 days/nights, cooking class, meals (excluding 2 dinners on own in small villages), taxes and more. Airfare is not included.

Accommodations in Etna - Shalai Resort www.shalai.it

Accommodations in Ragusa - Relais Antica Badia https://www.relaisanticabadia.com/

Double Occupancy per person $4500

Single Occupancy per person $5300