Top 5 Local White Wines
in the Metropolitan City of Catania

Barone di Villagrande is a historic family-owned winery located on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna, near the village of Milo in Sicily, with winemaking roots dating back to the 18th century. The estate has remained in the hands of the Nicolosi Asmundo family for generations and is considered one of the pioneers in the modern development of Etna wines. Vineyards are planted at high altitudes on volcanic soils rich in minerals, which contribute to the wines’ freshness, structure, and complexity. The winery focuses primarily on indigenous grape varieties such as Carricante for white wines and Nerello Mascalese for reds, both of which express the distinctive character of Etna’s terroir. The wines are typically defined by vibrant acidity, elegance, and a pronounced mineral profile, with white wines showing notes of citrus, herbs, and volcanic ash, and reds offering red berry fruit, spice, and earthy nuances. Production follows sustainable practices with careful vineyard management and minimal intervention in the cellar. Barone di Villagrande is particularly known for its Etna Bianco wines, which have notable aging potential and develop layered complexity over time. In addition to winemaking, the estate also offers an enotourism experience, allowing visitors to explore the vineyards and immerse themselves in the unique landscape of Mount Etna.Expand

Girolamo Russo is a winery located in the village of Passopisciaro, on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy. Re-established in 2005 by Giuseppe Russo in memory of his father, Girolamo, the winery embodies Giuseppe's commitment to preserving his family's traditional values while introducing innovative winemaking approaches. The estate spans approximately 15 hectares of vineyards, situated between 650 and 780 meters above sea level, interspersed with hazelnut and olive groves. The vineyards are cultivated organically, employing traditional methods that have allowed these ancient vineyards, many over a century old, to thrive. Girolamo Russo produces a range of wines under the Etna DOC designation, including reds, whites, and rosés. Their red wines are primarily made from the Nerello Mascalese grape, often blended with Nerello Cappuccio, while their white wines feature Carricante and other indigenous varieties. Visitors can arrange tours and tastings by appointment, offering an opportunity to experience the unique terroir and winemaking philosophy of Girolamo Russo. Expand

Graci is a terroir-driven winery located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, in Passopisciaro, within the Alcantara Valley of Sicily. Founded by Alberto Aiello Graci, who left a career in finance to revive his family’s agricultural roots, the estate is built around a rigorous commitment to organic farming and minimal intervention. Vineyards are spread across multiple high-altitude sites, ranging from roughly 600 to 1,000 meters above sea level, and include very old vines, many planted on their own roots in sandy volcanic soils. Production focuses on native varieties, primarily Nerello Mascalese for reds and Carricante for whites, with wines vinified using indigenous yeasts and aged mainly in large, neutral oak vessels to preserve site expression. Graci places strong emphasis on single-contrada bottlings such as Arcurìa, Feudo di Mezzo, and Barbabecchi, each highlighting subtle differences in soil, elevation, and exposure. The style is restrained and precise, favoring freshness, mineral tension, and structural clarity over richness or extraction. Today, Graci is widely regarded as one of the most authentic and consistent producers on Etna, valued for wines that translate the volcanic landscape into transparent, age-worthy expressions with a strong sense of place.Expand

Tenuta di Fessina is a boutique winery located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, founded in 2007 in the village of Rovittello, within the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia. It was created with the aim of preserving and expressing the authentic character of Etna’s terroir through the careful cultivation of old vineyards and native grape varieties. The vineyards lie on mineral-rich volcanic soils at varying altitudes, with Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio used for red wines, and Carricante and Minnella for whites. Production is based on manual vineyard work and minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the natural balance and identity of each site to emerge clearly. A restored 17th-century palmento stands at the heart of the estate, symbolizing the link between historical winemaking traditions and a contemporary, precise approach. The wines of Tenuta di Fessina are known for their elegance, marked minerality, and structural clarity, offering a refined and authentic expression of Etna’s volcanic landscape.Expand

Monteleone is a small, family-run winery located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, in the area of Castiglione di Sicilia, focused on expressing the volcanic terroir through limited and carefully managed production. Founded in 2017, the estate was created with the aim of preserving old vineyards and local grape varieties while applying a precise, low-intervention approach to winemaking. The vineyards lie in the contrade of Cuba and Pontale Palino at around 500 meters above sea level, on soils rich in lava and volcanic minerals. Some of the vines are over 80 years old and trained in the traditional alberello system, which naturally limits yields and enhances concentration. The winery works exclusively with native Etna varieties: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio for red wines, and Carricante for whites. Vinification is carried out parcel by parcel to allow each site’s character and microclimate to emerge clearly. The resulting wines are defined by precision, minerality, freshness, and fine structure, with strong aging potential. Monteleone positions itself as an authentic Etna DOC producer, focused on terroir expression, identity, and long-term sustainability rather than volume or stylistic excess.Expand