Echoes Events :: Your Sicilian Travel & Events Company

Marsala, Mozia, Wine Lover’s Tour

Our first stop is the charming and elegant city of Marsala the centre of Sicily’s and Italy’s largest wine–producing region. The city is rich in history dating back to 397 B.C. and was the first port of call for Garibaldi and his troops during the battle for the unification of Italy in 1860. Marsala takes its name from the dessert wine.

Mozia; The prosperous Phoenician city of Mozia was built on the island of San Pantello a short distance from Sicily across the Stagnone Lagoon. A natural reserve full of fish and bird life. A guided tour takes you around the island visiting the home of Joseph Whitaker the famous Marsala Wine Magnate who bought the island in the 19th century. The villa has been converted into a museum housing the statue of the ‘young man from Mozia’ discovered in 1998 by a local shepherd. Vineyards dot the island growing their own variety of Grillo (white grape) unique to Mozia. Cantina’s our now open for both wine tasting and the purchase of wine. (They will ship to Australia.) These cellar doors are small and run by locals.

Le Saline di Nubia; established over 300 years ago on the shores of the Stagnone Lagoon, the industry reached the height of its importance in the 19th century. The landscape is dominated by the huge Windmills that in the past were used for power in the production of sea salt. The salt flats do not cause pollution , use the force of the wind and the heat of the sun to produce salt, do not produce waste and reproduce the pre–existing natural environment of the lagoon. Housed in the old Windmill once used to power the salt production is the Museo delle Saline (Salt Marsh Museum). Well worth a look.

Pellegrino and Florio Wine Cellars; two of the largest producers of wine on the Island. The small and welcoming tasting rooms will tempt the pallet with grapes and wines unique to Sicily. Vincenzo Florio revolutionized the wine making industry on the island in 1882. The tour will include guided tours of the wine cellars. Some of the reserves date back to the late 1800’s.

Note: it is possible to add visits to olive oil plantations for ‘olive oil tastings’ if people so desire.