TO THE SOUTHWEST

Food
and Wine

Tastes and Places
Sambuca, Menfi, Selinunte and Castelvetrano

DURATION

3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS

RECOMMENDED SEASON

SPRING - AUTUMN

REQUEST INFO AND QUOTE

Visit the town of Sambuca and get to know the territory of La Strada del Vino delle Terre Sicane (the Way of the Wine, of the Sicani lands), with its head office in the beautiful building of Palazzo Panitteri. The Iter Vitis International Federation of the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe traces the wine culture of Sicily.

There will be a short hike to discover the “Palmento Rupestre della Risinata”- one of the many and perhaps the most complex of ancient wine millstones to be found around Sicily. Carved out of the stone, they were used for the pressing of grapes and winemaking since the 8th Century BC, and date back to the Bronze Age in the Western Mediterranean.

Reach the splendid Estate dating back to the 1500’s, which looks over Lake Arancio and which will be the setting for wine tasting and a lunch with estate wines to compliment the dishes.

Visit Menfi, named the City of Wine 2023. The area’s deep relationship with wine is well narrated by the consortium that for years has united and supported the small wine producers in this area.

Taste the varieties of native grapes and learn about a research and innovation project that, in the last 20 years, has helped to pinpoint the best variety/terroir combinations; an experiment that has brought international grapes to Sicily, to enable a better understanding of how each type performs in our territory.

A hands-on culinary experience hosted by one of the wineries will enable you to experience our food culture first hand; the best way to get to know and actually live the territory.

The fishing town of Marinella di Selinunte is the only port, where to the present day and every morning, there is the “L’incanto del pesce” a fish auction which has ancient origins and an event which emerges us into the local fishing culture. Together with one of the fishermen, buy the fish for lunch which will be prepared for you later. Visit the archaeological park of Selinunte and the plot of land inside the park which is cultivated with wheat.

Reach the nearby Molino del Ponte, which has been the property of the Drago Family for four generations; where old and new mingle with each other. Together with a family member, use the freshly stoneground semola flour to prepare the Cous Cous, which is a traditional Sicilian dish widely used since the year 800; and which was brought to Sicily by North African fishermen. The fish on that morning will be the perfect compliment for this dish.

End the day at sunset with an experience aboard one of the Marinella fishermen’s boats. Navigate along the coast and the Belice river mouth to the archaeological park. The beautiful view over the Apollo Temple will be the setting for an aperitif on board.