Wines of Italy Archives

Dimora Cottanera: A Sicilian Escape in the Heart of Etna’s Vineyards

Perched on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, Dimora Cottanera is more than a wine resort; it’s an unforgettable escape that breathes in the rhythms of the volcano, vineyard-lined horizons, and refined Sicilian hospitality. My one-night stay revealed an intimate side of this property, where elegance meets serenity.

A Sense of Place
Dimora Cottanera is a restored country estate that exudes quiet sophistication. Its design blends rustic charm: stone walls, exposed wooden beams, and historic character, with curated modern touches that feel effortless. Each room is unique, yet all share a common gift: views that frame the living landscape of Etna, with vines stretching to the horizon and the volcano’s majestic silhouette ever-present.

Outside, the gardens set the tone for slow exploration. Lavender drifts through the air, citrus groves nod to Sicily’s agricultural heart, and hidden corners invite quiet reflection. At the center of it all lies the infinity pool, a tranquil, infinity-style basin that seems to melt into the surrounding vineyards. It’s the kind of place where time surrenders, and lingering with a glass of wine feels like the only sensible agenda.

Poolside Indulgence
Lunch by the pool was an elegant yet relaxed affair. Seasonal produce, local cheeses, and delicately prepared dishes echoed the freshness of the estate, paired effortlessly with a crisp glass of Cottanera Etna Bianco. Lunch here isn’t about ceremony; it’s about savouring the simplicity of Sicilian flavours against a backdrop of rippling water, views of Mount Etna, soft mountain breezes, and vineyards glowing under the midday sun.

It was a moment of understated luxury: no rush, no excess, just pure enjoyment in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable.

Sunset Dining in the Winter Garden Restaurant
As the day shifted, so did the mood. When the sun began to set, the Winter Garden Restaurant revealed its magic. Inside, the atmosphere glowed with warmth, stone walls bathed in soft lamplight, rustic beams overhead, and candles casting an intimate glow.

Dinner was a journey through Sicily’s culinary heritage, elevated with refinement: handmade pasta flecked with truffles, tender lamb infused with local herbs, and citrus-forward desserts that spoke to the island’s zest for life. Each course was paired perfectly with Cottanera wines, their elegance deepening as the night lingered.

The true luxury lay in the moment itself, glasses catching candlelight, flavours in harmony with the land, and just beyond the windows, Etna silhouetted against the evening sky.

A Sicilian Escape to Remember
Dimora Cottanera is more than a place to stay; it’s a destination that embodies the essence of luxury travel. Here, indulgence is subtle, rooted in authenticity, and framed by the raw beauty of nature. Whether it’s a leisurely poolside lunch, a candlelit dinner in the Winter Garden Restaurant, or simply watching the play of light across the vineyards, every experience feels curated yet natural.

Why Go:
For an intimate Sicilian escape where luxury is defined by authenticity, vineyards, volcanic views, and timeless hospitality.

Best For:
Wine lovers, design-conscious travelers, and couples seeking a romantic retreat framed by nature.

Highlights:
• Infinity pool overlooking Etna’s vineyards
• Gardens scented with lavender, exotic flowers, and citrus groves
• Seasonal, locally inspired dining experiences
• Cozy Winter Garden Restaurant with fireplaces and candlelight—perfect for sunset views
• Exceptional pairings with Cottanera’s acclaimed Etna wines

Insider Tips:
Book a room facing the volcano for sunrise views that rival the sunsets. A glass of Etna Rosso in hand makes the moment unforgettable.

Reflections
My brief stay at Dimora Cottanera was a reminder of why Sicily has become such a beacon for wine tourism. It’s not only about the wines, though they are expressive and elegant; it’s about how a place can embody the soul of its land. From poolside lunches to sunset dinners, every detail was designed to immerse guests in the spirit of Etna.

Dimora Cottanera offers more than hospitality; it offers a dialogue with the land. And in that dialogue, over a glass of wine and a view of the volcano, one finds both comfort and wonder.

Etna Days 2025: Showcasing Etna DOC Wines and Volcanic Terroir

Etna Days 2025 marked a record-breaking edition, celebrating the cultural, environmental, and enological richness of Sicily’s iconic volcano. Hosted at Il Picciolo Golf Resort, Castiglione di Sicilia, the event united global wine professionals for tastings, vineyard visits, and dialogue on the evolution of Etna DOC wines.

This event reinforced Mount Etna as the heart of Sicilian viticulture and a leading European wine region. Held September 18 – 20, it brought together producers, journalists, importers, and wine professionals to explore the terroir, tradition, and innovation shaping Etna DOC. Over ninety wineries showcased the volcano’s diverse microclimates and vineyard districts, highlighting Etna’s expanding global influence.

Francesco Cambria, President of the Consorzio di Tutela Vini Etna DOC, emphasized the event’s deeper purpose: “Etna Days is the culmination of our collective work: over these three days, we want to showcase not just wines, but a cultural heritage and identity that belongs to the volcano’s communities.”

The Venue: Il Picciolo Golf Resort, Castiglione di Sicilia

Nestled among the black lava terraces and verdant vineyards of Etna’s northern slopes, Il Picciolo Golf Resort served as the event’s official venue. Its panoramic setting provided an ideal backdrop for tastings, discussions, and networking. Beyond its picturesque location, the resort represented a synthesis of Sicilian hospitality and the elegance of wine culture; it was a perfect reflection of Etna DOC’s spirit.

Program Highlights: Tastings and Technical Sessions

The program opened with a presentation by the Consorzio, tracing Etna DOC’s historical evolution and strategic direction. This was followed by technical and walk-around tastings showcasing over five hundred Etna DOC wines. From Carricante-based Etna Bianco to Nerello Mascalese-driven Etna Rosso, each wine expressed the minerality, precision, and freshness characteristic of volcanic viticulture.

The tastings served as a critical platform for analysis and exchange, where sommeliers, journalists, and buyers engaged directly with producers to discuss winemaking philosophies, clonal selections, and sustainability practices.

Dining Under the Stars

An unforgettable moment unfolded under the stars at Il Picciolo Golf Resort, where producers, international guests, Management and Jury of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles all gathered for an evening that celebrated the unity of Etna’s wine community. Local culinary artistry met expressive volcanic wines in a setting illuminated by the night sky and framed by the silhouette of the volcano.

Vineyard and Winery Visits: The Contrade of Etna

The following two days were dedicated to immersive vineyard and winery visits across Etna’s diverse contrade. From centuries-old ungrafted vines to new high-altitude plantings, these excursions revealed the geological and cultural mosaic underpinning Etna’s viticultural identity.

Producers highlighted the challenges of working in such a dynamic environment, ranging from steep slopes to unpredictable volcanic activity, while showcasing innovations in organic farming and micro-vinification. The result was a living laboratory of sustainability, where past and future meet in every glass.

Wineries visited: Benanti, Terra Costantino, Verderame, Terrazze dell’Etna, Bugia Nen, and Murgo.

Etna’s Role as a Global Model

Salvatore Barbagallo, Councillor for Agriculture of the Sicilian Region, described Etna as “a natural laboratory of sustainability and biodiversity.” This year’s event demonstrated how Etna’s producers are redefining quality through ecological awareness and territorial integrity. The initiative, partially supported by the Sicilian Regional Department of Agriculture, illustrated the power of collaboration in promoting regional excellence on an international scale.

Consorzio Director Maurizio Lunetta concluded: “We are recording significant numbers that confirm the international stature of the denomination. The goal for the future is to grow with an integrated vision that goes beyond winemaking, involving hospitality, gastronomy, and typical products.”

Looking Forward To 2026

Looking ahead to Etna Days 2026, the event is poised to further strengthen Etna’s international reputation. The region’s story of resilience, beauty, and innovation continues to unfold, rooted in one of the world’s most remarkable volcanic terroirs.

Rediscovering Sulcis, Sardinia – From Vineyard to Sea along the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara and through the Lands of Carignano

In the far southwest of Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean, travellers can now embark on the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara (CMSB), a 500-kilometre trail divided into 30 stages. Just 70 kilometres from Cagliari, the regional capital with its international airport, the route links the main towns of the Sulcis region, including Iglesias, Carbonia, Sant’Antioco, and Sant’Anna Arresi.

Walkers, often referred to as “pilgrims,” retrace the paths once taken by miners, shepherds, fishermen, and farmers. Alongside ancient mines and vineyards, the trail also reveals some of Sardinia’s most striking beaches, where long sandy stretches meet crystal-clear waters. Blending history, spirituality, and nature, the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara offers insight into Sulcis, one of the island’s most authentic and multifaceted territories.

An Early Test Walk

In September, with a small group of colleagues, we had the privilege of experiencing this trail almost as a preview. What struck us most was the remarkable balance of diversity and coherence. Tourism projects often promise variety but seldom deliver it with such authenticity. Along the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara, everything felt naturally connected, from the changing landscapes and historic villages to the local food, ancient mines, and distinctive wines. Each element contributed to a unified, layered sense of place that was both genuine and moving.

What stood out most was the passion of the people behind the project. From museum guides to vineyard workers, from cooperative leaders to volunteers, everyone we met shared a profound connection to their land. Their knowledge, warmth, and pride gave depth to each encounter, transforming the journey into not just an exploration but a human and emotional experience.

From Vineyards to the Sea

The journey began among vineyards overlooking the coast, with an introduction to Carignano del Sulcis and its role in shaping the region’s identity. Tastings and open-air meals revealed the deep bond between wine and territory. Later, quiet paths across Sant’Antioco unfolded into gentle slopes and seascapes, before evenings spent by the harbour with traditional food and local wines.

The next day brought us inland, across rolling hills and historic villages, along trails framed by vineyards and Mediterranean scrub. Lunch featured the symbolic “Pilgrim’s Menu,” tying tradition to hospitality. By evening, the focus shifted to the sea once again at the historic tonnara (tuna fishery) of Portoscuso, founded in the late 1500s. Tuna has long shaped local culture, and here it was paired with Carignano wines—from fresh rosé to complex reds—showcasing the grape’s depth and versatility.

Into the Mines

The journey culminated at the Great Mine of Serbariu, once a hub of coal extraction. Even today, with clean air, normal light, and sound effects muted, stepping inside was a powerful experience. It was easy to imagine the miners’ reality: dust, darkness, deafening noise, and at times tunnels scarcely half a meter high. This moment underscored that Sulcis’s beauty is inseparable from its history of hardship.

The Wine Connection

Carignano, the flagship grape of Sulcis, is demanding in the vineyard. Naturally vigorous and highly productive, it requires careful management to reduce yields. Its slight bitterness, a potential flaw elsewhere, here becomes a signature—integrated, elegant, and defining.

Unique conditions make it possible: sandy soils that allow ungrafted vines, old bush-trained vineyards yielding naturally low harvests, a Mediterranean climate tempered by steady mistral winds, and a late ripening cycle that traditionally stretches into mid-October. These factors create dense, characterful wines that remain contemporary in style.

Carignano del Sulcis, recognized as a DOC since 1977, comes in a range of styles: dry reds, riservas, and passito versions. Rosé is also noteworthy—often deeply colored thanks to the grape’s natural intensity, with marked personality and a savoury edge that makes it highly gastronomic, pairing beautifully with both land and sea dishes.

The Food Connection

Food in Sulcis is equally central to its identity. Despite being an island, meat holds a place of honour: maialetto (suckling pig), in its many variations, is a festive staple. Cheese is just as significant, particularly Sardinia’s distinctive pecorino, known for its intensity, and fresh ricotta, used in both savoury and sweet dishes.

Handmade pasta, often filled, anchors family cooking, while along the coast, tuna and fish define local tradition. Mussels, too, are a point of pride, frequently featured as a specialty of Sulcis. The cuisine also preserves its humbler roots in dishes like fried bread, a clever way to avoid waste. This blend of land and sea, of richness and simplicity, gives Sulcis a gastronomic identity as layered as its landscape—always authentic, always true to tradition.

A Complete Journey

The Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara is far more than a hike. It’s wine tastings by the sea, Carignano vineyards shaped by the mistral, ungrafted bush vines, archaeological sites, tuna fisheries, nuraghi, medieval churches, and, above all, the proud voices of the people who live here. It’s a journey through hardship and beauty, history and revival—an experience that lingers long after the last step and the final sip.

Filippo Magnani

Wine Tourism Review: Dimora Cottanera on the slopes of Etna

This is a retreat where Sicilian authenticity meets understated luxury – vineyard views, an infinity pool that spills into the landscape, and gardens perfumed with exotic flowers, lavender and citrus.

Lunch by the pool was all about simplicity and elegance: seasonal dishes paired with Cottanera’s Etna Bianco.

As the sun set, the Winter Restaurant revealed its magic. We savoured the essence of Sicilian cuisine – simple, elegant flavours paired with Cottanera wines, against a stunning backdrop of mountains with their vineyards glowing in the evening light and soft mountain breezes.

This one-night stay felt like entering a different rhythm of life – where time lingers, and every detail invited me to savour the moment… final article to follow on ……www.liz-palmer.com

For further details on Dimora Cottanera https://dimoracottanera.com/

Etna Days 2025: A Landmark Edition

This morning, I had the privilege of attending the Etna Days 2025 “Welcome Presentation” and “Technical Tasting” where an extraordinary lineup of Etna DOC wines and producers set the tone for what promises to be a landmark edition.

“The energy and diversity of wines from Mount Etna are simply remarkable.” Liz Palmer

Etna Days 2025 takes place from September 18 to 20 with 90 wineries presenting over 500 labels to over 70 journalists, educators, and trade professionals to celebrate one of the world’s most dynamic terroirs: a living mosaic of lava-stone terraces, ungrafted vines, extreme altitudes, and endlessly shifting microclimates.

Promoted by the Consorzio di Tutela Vini Etna DOC, the event is designed to showcase the extraordinary identity of Etna wines, the very summit of Sicily’s qualitative pyramid.

Anchored at the Picciolo Golf Resort in Castiglione di Sicilia, the program unfolds with guided tours, immersive masterclasses, and a grand walk-around tasting featuring all 500 labels. This evening’s “Gala Dinner” will unite producers, winemakers, and international jurors of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, a testament to the denomination’s growing global prestige.

As Francesco Cambria, President of the Consorzio, emphasizes: “Etna Days is not only about wines—it is about the cultural and identity value of a collective heritage. Each bottle tells a story that intertwines resilience, memory, and vision.”

Etna is more than a vineyard. It is a living laboratory of biodiversity and sustainability, where indigenous varieties such as Nerello Mascalese and Carricante thrive on ancient terraces carved from volcanic stone. This heroic viticulture has become emblematic of Sicily’s ability to preserve tradition while forging an avant-garde path on the world stage.

With the collaboration of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and the presence of over 70 international journalists and educators, Etna Days 2025 confirms the denomination’s stature as a global benchmark. Beyond wine, the ambition is holistic: to weave together hospitality, gastronomy, and cultural heritage into a sustainable model of growth for the territory.
For further details: https://consorzioetnadoc.com/en-US/home