One of the strongest emotions you experience when you engage in “experience tourism” is satisfaction. The satisfaction of feeling part of the world you’re vacationing in, not just as a spectator. The satisfaction of completing a task, or a job, you never thought you could do. Whether it’s simply cooking or tending a herd, making a violin or building a carnival float, experience tourism is forever etched in the memory of those who, for a day or a week, felt incredibly alive with the locals. In autumn, Sicily offers the opportunity to experience the grape harvest firsthand! Here’s where and how.
The early vineyards of Palermo and surroundings
The grape harvest in Sicily is not the same everywhere. Some areas harvest the grapes earlier than others, in some places they harvest at night, in others only on Sundays, while celebrating with relatives.
In the Palermo area, the grape harvest is early. The climate allows the grapes to ripen as early as August, so -in order to avoid the daytime heat- the grapes are often harvested at night, by the light of lamps and torches. On the border between the districts of Palermo and Trapani, this intense and romantic nocturnal experience is possible in the vineyards of Alcamo or Partinico. You can learn more at Agriexperience.it or at one of the many tourist farms in the area, such as Biofattoria Augustali or Fattoria Tarantola.
The Marsala Vineyards
Remaining in the Trapani area, how could you not treat yourself to the experience of harvesting grapes on the lands of the Florios? The famous Palermo family discovered, with the help of English entrepreneur friends, the value of the fortified wine produced in the Marsala vineyards and for a time turned it into their “business.”
In the Trapani area, the harvest takes place at the end of September, and enthusiastic tourists can also participate in the family celebrations that are the heart of it. This is possible at the Mothia wineries, for example, or at the Tenute Orestiadi. The actual lands of the Florio Winery participate in the tradition, of course, but do not offer tourists a direct experience of the grape harvest. However, everyone can taste the new wine at special events organized by the estate or by nearby farms.
Harvesting under the volcano
Etna Wines are now a world-famous brand. The harvests, at the foot of the great volcano, take place between late September and early October, and almost all the farms in the foothills offer tourists direct experiences. Many large-scale projects, such as those organized by the Diocese of Acireale (Ecclesiastical Cultural Park of the Lands of Etna and the Alcantara Valley) or those of winerytastingsicily.com, include grape harvests, the opening of new barrels, and the processing of the must during guided tours.
In Sicily, you can also harvest at the foot of two extinct volcanoes. It happens on the island of Salina, through projects organized by salinaecogastronomica.it. The vineyards of this Aeolian island extend into the narrow valley between the two ancient volcanic peaks that characterize Salina’s famous shape. It is precisely in these vineyards, and in others on the neighboring islands, that the delicious “alcoholic nectar” Malvasia delle Eolie is produced.
Harvesting among the “dwarf vines”
The island of Pantelleria, although part of Sicily, is located a stone’s throw from Tunis. African in its colors and flavors, it is famous for the winds that constantly lash it. Precisely to protect the trees from the wind, the inhabitants have created “cultivable trenches” in which fruit trees and vines grow, sheltered by high edges. Adapting to the wind and the trenches, Pantelleria’s vines now grow as “dwarf plants” and develop in length rather than height.
From these vines comes the Passito wine… and tourists are more than welcome to experience the joy of harvesting firsthand. Many Pantelleria tour operators and several B&Bs are happy to organize grape harvest experiences in the autumn. Just ask and book and you’ll be able to take home a wonderful, unique memory of this fascinating island.
How to reach the grape harvest locations
The locations can be reached with Transfeero’s convenient private transportation, taking into account Sicily’s two main airports—Palermo (PMO) and Catania (CTA)—depending on whether you’re heading to Trapani or Mount Etna. Pantelleria has its own local airport (PNL) and a small territory that doesn’t require stressful overland travel.
