The Route of Carricante

Wine is discovery, culture, tradition, and emotion. Geography of flavors, scents, and places are all collected in a single bottle. Walking through the vineyards on the Etna you’ll discover the white soul of wine from the volcano, and knowing more about the history and the old traditions of the “Vinu Jancu” (“white wine” in Sicilian slang). Traditionally cultivated as alberello on volcanic, sandy soils rich in minerals, the Carricante is an ancient native (indigenous) white-worn grape variety cultivated on the eastern slopes of Etna, mostly on the highest altitude. Its name comes from the Sicilian expression “u carricanti”, which underlines the huge production of this plant able to fill the carts with its grapes.

By following “The Route of Carricante”, in the area of the little village of Milo (720 m a.s.l.), you’ll discover all places, the most beautiful spots, and historic cellars that best interpret the magnificent qualities of this unique, valuable native Sicilian vine.

The experience includes a visit to two traditional wineries:

• The most ancient winery on the eastern slope; a walk through the old rows; a visit to the cellar and barrel room; the tasting of three varieties of Carricante wine.
• The most panoramic and ancient winery on this slope with a sea view on the Ionian Sea; light lunch and Carricante wine pairings under secular trees of lime trees and Mediterranean pines.