Sicily: Italy's Next Big Wine Destination

From Butera, drive southeast to the town of Gela. Nestled in an industrial area is the Casa di Grazia winery, owned by the charismatic Maria Grazia di Francesco Brunetti. This young winery makes three wines: the Gradiva and Gradiva Collectio Nero d'Avolas and the Emiryam Syrah.

While you're in town, check out the Biviere di Gela nature reserve, home to more than 200 species of birds. Then visit any of the small restaurants along the sea for local specialties like swordfish and orecchiette alla bottarga, pasta with dried fish roe.

On Sicily's northeastern coast, you'll find small towns perched on cliffs above the Mediterranean in the shadow of Mount Etna, an active volcano that's also the highest peak in Italy south of the Alps.

Along this coast, you'll find Taormina. The narrow streets of this tourist destination are packed with shops, restaurants and bars.

If you continue south, you'll find respite inside the Benanti winery in the village of Viagrande. Mount Etna's well-drained volcanic soil helps the winery produce unique varietals, such as the Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio reds and the Carricante and Minnella whites. Benanti's focus on the science of winemaking makes it the region's flagship winery. It also makes high-quality olive oil.

It's only a matter of time before Sicily becomes the next big Italian wine destination. But for now, your only problem will be figuring out how to pack all those bottles into your suitcase.

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