Sicily and Southern Italy

Sicily and Southern Italy encompass a broad and diverse area, including regions such as Campania, Puglia, Calabria, and the island of Sicily itself. While these areas are often associated with warm climates, a combination of elevation, coastal breezes, and varied terrain allows for surprising freshness and balance in the wines.

Sicily stands at the forefront, particularly around Mount Etna, where volcanic soils and high-altitude vineyards produce wines of striking minerality and precision. Nerello Mascalese and Carricante are key varieties here, offering reds with fine structure and savoury detail, alongside whites that are saline, lifted, and textural. Producers like Arianna Occhipinti have become emblematic of the island’s modern identity, crafting wines that are deeply expressive, organic, and grounded in place.

Across the mainland south, indigenous varieties dominate. Grapes such as Aglianico in Campania and Basilicata produce structured, age-worthy reds, while varieties like Nero d’Avola and Primitivo offer more generous, fruit-driven styles shaped by warmth and sun. In Campania, producers like Cantina Giardino are helping to redefine the region, working with native varieties and minimal intervention to create wines that are vibrant, textural, and full of life.

In recent years, Sicily and Southern Italy have become centres for organic farming and minimal intervention winemaking. Many producers are working with old vines and traditional methods, seeking to highlight the unique character of their regions while bringing a more refined, contemporary approach.

Wines from Sicily and Southern Italy are defined by their energy and sense of place, offering a compelling mix of richness, freshness, and authenticity rooted in some of Italy’s oldest winemaking landscapes.