Five day Sicily wine tour based in Ragusa and Syracuse

At a glance

Trip Summary

On day one of your Ragusa and Syracuse wine tour you will be met by your private driver at the airport in Catania and driven to the wonderful Baglio Occhipinti Wine Resort which will be your home for the next two nights.  After checking in at the hotel the remainder of the afternoon will be free for you to enjoy at leisure. We highly recommend enjoying an aperitif of a signature cocktail accompanied by local cheeses and cold cuts while you relax by the pool or exploring the estate on foot, visiting the gardens and enjoying the spectacular views of the Iblei Mountains from the panoramic terrace.

Your evening meal will be a time to savour your surroundings as much as you will enjoy the deliciously fresh 6-course seasonal menu, lovingly prepared with fresh produce from the estate.  You will have the choice of dining in the gardens or close to the pool surrounded by the 300-year old citrus grove. We all agree that dining at Baglio Occhipinti is so much more than a meal; it is a unique and sensory gastronomic experience.

Day two of your Ragusa and Syracuse wine tour is a full day dedicated to discovering the wines of the local area starting with a comprehensive introduction to wine production at Baglio Occhipinti. You will be welcomed by the owner of the estate who will spend time with you explaining the history and production at the Baglio before treating you to a technical tasting of four wines served with bread baked in a wood-fired oven and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Following the tasting, your driver will be waiting to drive you to your next appointment at the Valle dell’Acate in the province of Ragusa; a contemporary organic winery with a strong focus on sustainability which has been family owned and operated for six generations.  Here you will enjoy a tasting of four wines paired with local products such as, ‘arancini’ (fried risottto balls), typical stuffed flat breads,  olives, ‘ciappe di pomodoro’ (sun dried tomatoes) and homemade sourdough bread.  Should you wish to stay a bit longer then there will be plenty of time to compliment the tasting by purchasing other wines by the glass or in bottles at list price.

The final visit of the day will be at the Gulfi winery,  a winery that has always held on to tradition but has been able to add that touch of innovation that makes it magnificent.  You will learn about the unique landscapes where Gulfi wines are produced and taste four different wines which will  take you on a journey through such a diversity of terroir that only Sicily can provide.  After the tasting it will be time for your driver to take you back to Baglio Occhipinti.  Enjoy the rest of your day and evening at leisure.

Following a relaxing breakfast on day three of your Ragusa and Syracuse wine tour you will check out from Baglio Occhipinti and meet your private driver who will take you to your first winery visit of the day at Planeta Buonivini Winery where you will learn about  the production of DOC Noto wine. The vineyards of the Planeta Buonivini Estate stretch across the south-eastern hills of Sicily, an area where vines have been growing since the time of Greek colonisation in the 8th Century.  The tour includes a guided visit to the winery, a guided tasting of 4 Noto DOC wines, and a tasting of 3 olive oils accompanied by a tasting of local seasonal products.

The second winery visit today will be to Zisola Winery, the Mazzei family’s estate in Noto, where you will be welcomed for a Premium wine tour starting with a stroll through the vineyards and culminating with a technical tasting of five wines, two of which are Estate Crus.

When the tasting is finished your driver will be waiting to drive you to Syracuse to check into your hotel for the next two nights.

Rest of afternoon and evening at leisure.

On day four you will discover the fascinating history of Syracuse’s historic centre, one of the most important cities of Magna Graecia.  Together with a local guide you will embark on a walking tour to visit the fascinating island of Ortigia,  strolling through the historic centre, characterised by quiet, picturesque alleyways lined with Baroque buildings and adorned with flowering balconies and succulent plants.  As you walk and visit the most important sites in the city,  listen to the history and legends of the Temple of Apollo, explore the Jewish quarter of Giudecca and admire the immense façade of the Cathedral surrounded by historic buildings overlooking the elegant and lively town square.  You will learn the fascinating story of the nymph of the Fountain of Arethusa and its fresh waters and finally enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Syracuse from the imposing Maniace Castle, the guardian of the island.

Following the tour enjoy lunch, the rest of the day at leisure.

Day five is departure day. Check out after breakfast and meet your driver who will take you to the airport in plenty of time to board your return flight.

Outline Itinerary

Enhance your Experience/Tour Upgrades

Package Prices

• These prices are per person and based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.
• These are realistic guide prices, based on travel in standard season (usually April to the end of October). Discounts often apply for travel out of season (usually November to the end of March) or if there are more than two of you travelling together. Please let us know your preferred travel dates for a definitive price.
• Although we propose specific hotels as part of our standard packages, we enjoy excellent relationships and preferential rates at the majority of the hotels in each of our featured destinations. Therefore if you would prefer to stay in a different hotel, this can be arranged. Please contact us for the relevant supplements/discounts.
• Other room grades are available at most of the hotels that we work with. Just let us know which hotel you prefer and we will send you the relevant supplements for the various room grades.
• Single supplements and extra night prices are available upon request.