Ancient Wine Cellar on Mascali With Slow Food Tasting

Discover the charm of the Ancient Wine Cellar nestled in the slopes of Mount Etna in Mascali, Sicily. This immersive 3-hour tour offers a unique Slow Food tasting journey, limited to just 5 participants. Indulge in a delightful combination of welcome refreshments, gourmet local delicacies, and exquisite wines produced on-site, all while enjoying breathtaking panoramic views. Explore the Sicilian culinary traditions through cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and freshly baked bread, and gain insights into the wine production process and the stunning vineyard. With an intriguing blend of history, gastronomy, and natural beauty, this experience promises to captivate your senses and leave you yearning for more.

This experience made our list of the 15 Best Food Tours In Catania.

Key Points

• Immersive experience at an ancient wine cellar in Mascali, Sicily, offering a 3-hour tour with welcome refreshments and Sicilian lunch for $110.49 per person.
• Intimate tour limited to 5 participants, providing a personalized exploration of the winery’s history, sustainable practices, and Sicilian Slow Food traditions.
• Guided tour of the ancient wine cellar located 450 meters above sea level, including a sommelier-led wine tasting featuring vintage wines produced on-site.
• Typical Sicilian menu highlighting local and seasonal products, such as cured meats, cheeses, homemade jams, and mini veggie burgers.
• Flexible cancellation policy with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, ensuring a hassle-free booking experience.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Activity Overview

The activity offers an immersive experience at an ancient wine cellar in Mascali, Sicily.

Visitors can enjoy a 3-hour tour, including a guided visit, scenic viewpoints, and a Slow Food tasting. Priced from $110.49 per person, the experience includes welcome refreshments, a wine tasting, and a Sicilian lunch featuring seasonal products.

The tour is limited to 5 participants and is wheelchair accessible. Visitors can take advantage of the free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, as well as the reserve now and pay later option.

The activity promises an authentic taste of Sicilian culture and winemaking traditions.

Itinerary Highlights

Beginning at Via Ricca, 5, on the slopes of Mount Etna, the guided tour takes visitors through the scenic surroundings with photo stops along the way.

Upon arrival, participants enjoy welcome refreshments for 30 minutes before delving into the wine tasting and Sicilian lunch experience.

The 1.5-hour culinary journey features:

• A selection of cured meats, cheeses, and homemade jams
• A mini veggie burger and meat tartare with courgette flower
• Freshly baked bread, focaccia, and grissini served with extra virgin olive oil

This intimate experience is limited to 5 participants and is wheelchair accessible, ensuring a personalized and comfortable exploration of Sicilian Slow Food traditions.

Sicilian Slow Food Menu

A tantalizing array of Sicilian Slow Food delicacies awaits participants on this culinary journey. The menu features an exquisite selection of cured meats, including salted meat carpaccio, artisanal mortadella, ham cooked in Gocce di Lava wine, and S. Angelo salami. Guests will also savor mini veggie burgers, a variety of local cheeses such as Piacentino Ennese, Vastedda del Belice, and Casacavaddu Ibleo, along with homemade jams and a meat tartare with courgette flower. Rounding out the experience are freshly baked bread, focaccia, grissini, and extra virgin olive oil, all showcasing the best of Sicilian Slow Food traditions.

Cured Meats	Cheeses	Other Dishes
Salted meat carpaccio	Piacentino Ennese	Mini veggie burger
Artisanal mortadella	Vastedda del Belice	Meat tartare with courgette flower
Ham cooked in Gocce di Lava wine	Casacavaddu Ibleo	Bread, focaccia, grissini, olive oil
S. Angelo salami	–	Homemade jams
–	–	–

Wine Production and Vineyard Experience

Nestled 450 meters above sea level, the ancient wine cellar commands panoramic views stretching from Taormina to the coast of Syracuse.

Founded by Pippo Turrisi, the winery first bottled its wine, Classe 39, in 2008.

Today, the cellar is managed by Turrisi’s daughter, Maria Grazia, and her family, who focus on quality and responsible viticulture.

The wines are primarily produced from grapes grown at the Santa Venera estate in Mascali.

Key features of the experience include:

• Guided tour of the wine production facilities
• Sommelier-led tasting of the vintage wines
• Opportunity to learn about the winery’s history and sustainable practices

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Included Services

The tour package includes an array of services to enhance the wine cellar experience. Visitors will be guided through the farm and wine production by a knowledgeable tourist guide. A sommelier will lead the wine tasting, presenting the vintage wines produced on-site. Plus, the typical Sicilian menu features local and seasonal products, providing an authentic taste of the region’s cuisine.

Included Services
Tourist guide for farm and wine production visit	✓
Sommelier during the tasting	✓
Vintage wines presented	✓
Typical Sicilian menu with local and seasonal products	✓

These comprehensive services ensure a well-rounded and immersive experience for visitors to the ancient wine cellar in Mascali.

Location and Duration

Just a short distance from the base of Mount Etna, the ancient wine cellar in Mascali is situated at an elevation of 450 meters, offering panoramic views that stretch from the town of Taormina to the coast of Syracuse.

This 3-hour experience invites visitors to explore the historic winery and indulge in a Slow Food tasting.

The activity includes:

• A guided tour of the wine production facilities
• A welcome refreshment
• A 1.5-hour wine tasting and Sicilian lunch featuring seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients

With a maximum of 5 participants and wheelchair accessibility, this exclusive activity provides an intimate and immersive glimpse into the region’s winemaking heritage and culinary traditions.

Cancellation Policy

Travelers can take advantage of the flexible cancellation policy offered for this activity. Up to 24 hours in advance, guests can cancel their reservation and receive a full refund. This gives them the freedom to plan their trip without worrying about non-refundable charges.

The "reserve now & pay later" option also allows them to secure their spot without immediate payment, providing further flexibility. With these hassle-free cancellation terms, visitors can book the ancient wine cellar experience with confidence, knowing they can adjust their plans if needed.

This policy ensures a seamless and stress-free booking process for those interested in exploring Mascali’s rich wine heritage.

Reservation Options

Visitors interested in exploring the ancient wine cellar on Mascali have several convenient reservation options to choose from. They can reserve their spot on this exclusive tour directly through the activity provider, with the option to pay later.

Alternatively, they can take advantage of the free cancellation policy, which allows for a full refund up to 24 hours before the event.

Plus, the tour is limited to just 5 participants, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience. The ancient wine cellar, situated 450 meters above sea level, promises stunning panoramic views and a delightful Sicilian Slow Food tasting experience.

• Reserve now & pay later
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
• Limited to 5 participants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There a Dress Code for the Wine Tasting Event?

There’s no mention of a dress code for this wine tasting event. It’s likely casual attire is acceptable, though guests may want to dress comfortably for the guided tour and activities.

Can I Bring My Own Wine to the Tasting?

No, guests are not allowed to bring their own wine to the tasting. The event is focused on showcasing the winery’s own vintage wines, and the sommelier-led tasting is part of the curated experience.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for Participating?

There are no age restrictions for participating in the wine tasting experience. The activity is open to all adults aged 18 and above, as long as they’re able to fully engage in the wine tasting and food pairing.

Can I Request a Vegetarian or Gluten-Free Menu?

Yes, participants can request vegetarian or gluten-free menu options. The tour provider accommodates dietary restrictions and offers a flexible menu to ensure all guests can fully enjoy the Sicilian Slow Food experience.

Is There a Limit on the Number of Wines I Can Taste?

The wine tasting includes a selection of the cellar’s vintage wines, presented by a sommelier. There’s no fixed limit on the number of wines guests can taste during the 1.5-hour tasting experience.

Recap

The Ancient Wine Cellar in Mascali, Sicily offers a unique Slow Food tasting journey. Nestled on the slopes of Mount Etna, the cellar showcases Sicilian culinary traditions through cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and freshly baked bread, all while enjoying breathtaking panoramic views. This immersive 3-hour tour, limited to 5 participants, provides a delightful combination of welcome refreshments and exquisite wines produced on-site, making it an unforgettable experience for food and wine enthusiasts.

You can check if your dates are available here: