Highlights
About the farmhouse
The Inn, as the owners like to call the house, was created by carefully restructuring the original rural mansion. The owners, both architects, restructured the house with exquisite taste while preserving the simplicity and warmth of a country house. You'll stay in one of the spacious two-room apartments with either a fireplace or a panoramic terrace on the vineyards overlooking Mount Etna.
About the winery
The company follows the principles of biodynamic viticulture to take advantage of the harmony between nature and the wine and to fully express the unique character of the rich terroir. They began to use clay amphorae for the wine, a material that does not give any characteristic flavor. The first jars came from Spain in September 2000 and thus, Pithos was born. Cerasuolo di Victoria, the only wine with the DOCG designation in Sicily is not to be missed. Their innovation is a bold move away from conventional production producing some of the finest wines Italy has to offer.
About the terroir
Located on the Victoria plateau near Ragusa province and nested between the Ippari and Dirillo rivers slopes gently from the mountains down to the Mediterranean Sea. Rich in history, these lands have been cultivated since 1607. Today, there are still hundreds of "millstones", reminders of an economic splendor from the late eighteenth century. This area is extraordinary thanks to the unique combination of hot climate and local geology, with its nearby ocean currents and day/night temperature changes keeping the land dry and well ventilated. The wines have a particular elegance. Frappato di Vittoria is the city?s namesake. Other popular varieties include: Nero d' Avola, Grosso Nero, Nerello Mascalese, as well as white grapes Insolia, Grecanico, Albanello and Moscato.
Programma
First day: Catania - Night in Vittoria
Arrive at the airport of Catania or Comiso, meet your driver and transfer to the farmhouse.
All around you the unmistakable face the Hyblean area: the pristine Ragusa countryside offers a special view, thanks to the myriad of stone walls made strictly dry, i.e. without mortar, according to ancient tradition, articulated on the ground like a spider web.
The reason for the dense mesh drywall must be sought in the early formation of a class of small landowners who, from the first half of the 500, splits a huge feud and manually divided the new properties in small plots with this large drywall. So take your time to relax and later have dinner in a nice trattoria nearby.
Second day: Donnafugata, wine tasting - Night in Vittoria
Savour the sights and colors of the countryside while going to visit the Castle of Donnafugata.
The building itself dates to the 17th century, the castle underwent various phases of expansion and the result is a structure that is part fortified castle and part Neo-Classical and Neo-Gothic country home. It's an impressive mix of stone turret and graceful loggia, kitsch Sphinx statuary and elegant trefoil arches. Then wandering the park surrounding the castle is an idle pleasure, the serpentine roots of its large fig trees, the artificial grottoes, Neo-Classical coffee house where the baron breakfasted, the starry cupola, the scent of the rosemary and lavender.
Back to our farmhouse you will have a visit with the winemaker of the winery, the cellars, the amphorae room with dozens of jars buried in the floor. It is impressive: the company use clay amphorae, a material that does not give any characteristic flavor and they produce also a wine fully fermented and aged in amphorae. But let’s let the owner himself tell us the whole story.
Have a tasting of 3 wines, including a DOCG, accompanied by bread, ragusano cheese, olives, baked ricotta and muffins.
In the afternoon let’s have a walk in Ragusa Ibla. Ibla, at evening with the warm and yellow street lights, is a magic place. Tonight consider a one-of-a- kind food experience in a Michelin star restaurant.
Third day: Noto, Marzamemi - Night in Vittoria
The road today leads us to Noto, the “stone garden” of Sicilian baroque area. The entire Noto valley was completely destroyed by the massive earthquake of 1693 and then rebuilt in a Sicilian unique baroque style that changed the face of the South-East of Sicily. It has a strong identity with its grinning grotesque masks and putti and a particular flamboyance.
Travelling into the extreme southeast of Sicily, there is a small charming village of Arabic origin. In the centre of the village, opposite to the old ’tonnara’ of Principe di Villadorata,lies a plant for the conservation of fish, tuna and swordfish,we will visit it and listen to a fascinating explanation, from the Phoenicians to the Greeks, Romans, Arabs: fish processing is a tradition in Marzamemi.
Then just sit in a bar in the huge square of the village enjoying time that seems to stand still belonging to a past Sicily.
Forth day: Modica, Scicli - Night in Vittoria
And now Modica, the 100 churches city. Walk on your own exploring the delights of this historic and picturesque city. As you walk along the streets you will first of all notice the steps, which are a characteristic of the town. Taste the famous modician chocolate: the history of modician chocolate dates back in the past, when Modica was related with Spain and consequently with the ancient civilization of Mexico, the Aztec.
In the afternoon Scicli. Located in a narrow alley on the right hand side, in its enchanting baroque style, appears the magnificent Palazzo Beneventano. The impressive architecture, without doubt, makes of this building one of Scicli’s most important monuments as well as one of the most typical in the iblean province. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the beautiful dining room of our farmhouse.
Fifth day: Catania airport
Transfer to the airport of Catania. This journey comes to an end. Hope you enjoyed it.
Date & Quote
The present itinerary is available year-round on request
Quote: on request
Including:
- 4 overnight stay & breakfast
- Private first class air-conditioned minibus & English speaking driver
for the transfers and the visits in the program
- 1 visit of the cellars with wine tasting
- 1 dinner at the farmhouse, wines not included
Not Including:
- Flights
- Personal Expenses
- drinks & meals not expressely included
- Everything not mentioned as included
- City taxes to be paid on spot
Booking & Cancellation Policy
HOW TO BOOK
You can initiate a booking by sending an enquiry by e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephoning us directly 0039 091 583728, or sending an enquiry online at our website formwww.privatesicily.it . You will be contacted by a member of our staff within 48 hours (working days). We will send you a proposal and quote for the services required. Once we have receiced your written confirmation we will confirm all the service by issuing and sending via e-mail a pro-forma invoice. Please check this pro-forma invoice carefully as soon as you receive it and contact us immediately if there is any wrong information about you or the services confirmed.
GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
The tours marked as guaranteed departures will depart as scheduled with the minimum number of participants specified in each tour. We will confirm the tour 30 days before the scheduled day. We try to make every departure work and only cancel when absolutely necessary and we may decide to operate a tour with less than the normal minimum number of people.
If your tour is cancelled because the minimum size group is not met, you will have the option to either transfer to another tour or receive a full refund of the deposit paid.
PAYMENT
Usually to confirm your booking, we require a deposit of 30% of the total quote, and the balance is required 30 days before departure ; we will specify when different conditions apply in your pro-forma invoice.
CHANGES
Any changes to your confirmed booking, must be notified us in writing. Whilst we will endeavour to assist, we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet the requests. Changes in party size which result in a decrease in the overall cost of the booking will be treated as a partial cancellation and our normal cancellation charges will apply.
CANCELLATIONS
Any cancellation should be made in writing (by e-mail). Following penalties (% of total invoice) will be applied for cancellations made:
If different conditions apply, they will be specified in the booking process.