Wine and Food Retreat in Sicily, Italy

April 8-13, 2026

I’m taking a small group on an epic wine and food adventure through Sicily — and you’re invited.

 
 

For this trip, I’ve partnered with Sicilian wine expert and tour guide, Helen Bezane, who specializes in sharing hidden gems of Sicily's stunning wine regions with a focus on small-production, family-owned wineries.

April is the perfect time to visit Sicily, with temperate weather, less crowds, and lower airfare costs. We'll be exploring two important wine regions of Sicily, Etna and Val di Noto, as well as touring the must-visit towns of Taormina, Catania, Ortigia, Syracuse, and more.

I've included more details below, but here's the TL;DR:

  • Where: Etna + Syracuse, Sicily

  • When: April 8–13, 2026

  • Who: You, me, our amazing guide Helen, and a small group of food & wine lovers (max: 15 people)

  • Cost: $4370 per person (single supplement: $1090)

  • What's included: Nearly everything except your flights and a few meals during free time

Curious to learn more about this trip before committing? I’m hosting a free Wines of Sicily Tasting + Retreat Q&A virtual event on Zoom on September 5th. RSVP for this free event here!

 
 

Day 1: Arrival in Sicily

Our journey begins in Etna, one of the most exciting and unique wine regions in all of Italy, centered around Europe’s tallest active volcano, Mount Etna.

Arrival

Upon arrival at the Catania airport, our private driver will transfer us to our boutique accommodation, a charming agriturismo on the slopes of Mount Etna, with panoramic vineyard views, a working winery, and a traditional Sicilian restaurant.

Evening

We’ll kick off our adventure with a welcome meeting to learn about the region’s rich culture, meet our travel companions (and new friends), and review our itinerary for the week. From there, we’ll board our private minibus and head into town for a welcome dinner at a traditional local restaurant, including plenty of delicious regional wine.

 
 
 

Day 2: Wine Tasting in Etna + Taormina

We’ll be exploring the northern and eastern slopes of Mt. Etna, known for wines of structure and complexity.

Morning/Afternoon

We’ll spend the day visiting two boutique, family-owned wineries, touring the grounds, learning about the volcanic terroir, and discovering traditional winemaking techniques.

The second winery visit will include a delicious lunch paired with local wines, set against the stunning backdrop of Sicily’s iconic volcano.

Evening

Our private driver will take us to Taormina, where you’ll have time to visit the picturesque village and enjoy dinner at your leisure. Perched above the Ionian Sea, Taormina enchants with its ancient Greek theater, coastal views, and charming streets filled with history.

 
 
 

day 3: catania & syracuse

We’ll make our way to Syracuse on the southeastern coast of Sicily with a stop in Catania to explore its historic architecture and bold food scene.

Morning

We’ll depart from Etna and head to Catania, where our private tour guide will take us through the lively fish market (“Piscaria”), down Via Etnea to admire the Baroque architecture of Basilica della Collegiata, and we’ll conclude in a café to taste the local delicacies — cheeses, charcuterie, arancini, and more.

Afternoon

We’ll make our way to our 4-star accommodation in Syracuse, where crumbling ruins, Baroque architecture, and sparkling turquoise waters complete its laidback Sicilian charm.

Enjoy lunch at your leisure at a seaside osteria and explore the small island of Ortigia, full of walkable, cobblestoned alleys, lively piazzas, and beautiful sea views.

Evening

We’ll head to a boutique winery in Syracuse for a wine and dine experience, an authentic taste of Sicilian hospitality. We’ll enjoy local wines paired with a thoughtfully curated homemade meal.

 
 
 

Day 4: Pachino & scicli

Located at the southeastern tip of Sicily, Pachino is full of sun-drenched vineyards and known for bold, expressive wines, as well as its world famous tomatoes. Just nearby, we’ll explore Scicli, a tiny hidden gem where Baroque beauty meets small-town charm.

Morning

We’ll visit a boutique winery in the warm, sunny region of Pachino, known for its aromatic Moscato and bold Nero d’Avola, and home the rich winemaking history of southeastern Sicily.

Afternoon

We’ll meet our local guide and expert, Chef Emilia Strazzanti, for an authentic food and wine tour through the UNESCO-listed town of Scicli. Emilia will guide us through the historic center to the best hidden gems, picking up fresh bread and produce along the way.

We’ll then be welcomed into a typical Sicilian home — reminiscent of Emilia’s grandparents’ — where we’ll dive into a hands-on cooking class, preparing traditional dishes like fresh pasta, scacce, or arancini. We’ll sit down to enjoy the fruits of our labor — a delicious three-course Sicilian lunch paired with natural wines from small, local producers and a genuine taste of Sicilian hospitality and culture.

Evening

We’ll arrive back in Syracuse for dinner at your leisure.

 
 

day 5: wine tasting in val di noto

Val di Noto is a region known for its sun-soaked vineyards, vast olive groves, and epic coastline. The wines produced here — especially Nero d’Avola, Frappato, and Moscato di Noto — are among the best in Sicily.

Morning/Afternoon

We’ll visit a boutique winery in Val di Noto, enjoying a guided tour, learning about the unique terroir, and savoring some delicious wines.

Next, we’ll head to the town of Noto, a UNESCO world heritage site known as the Baroque capital of Sicily. Its crown jewel is the Cathedral of San Nicolò, which sits at the top of a wide staircase overlooking the town’s elegant main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Lined with palazzi, churches, and cafés, the whole town feels like a movie set.

Evening

We’ll celebrate the end of our unforgettable wine journey with a farewell dinner at a seaside restaurant in Ortigia, featuring exquisite local cuisine paired with a thoughtful selection of Sicilian wines.

 
 
 

day 6: Arrivederci!

Our English-speaking private drivers will transport us back to the Catania airport in time for your flight home.

We’ll be split into smaller groups depending on our flight times to minimize waiting time and ensure a comfortable and timely departure experience.

Please note that all transfers include one piece of checked luggage and one carry-on per traveler.

 
 
 

Meet Your Guides

 

lexi stephens

Lexi Stephens is a WSET Level 3 certified wine educator and content creator with a goal to make wine accessible to anyone. She has 9 years of experience in the industry, from marketing and distribution to consulting on restaurant wine programs. She founded Lexi’s Wine List as a virtual wine tasting business, and has since built a vibrant community through her Wine Tasting Club. She’s led wine retreats like this one through California and Tuscany, and her favorite part of each trip is connecting with people over a shared love of boutique wines and delicious food.

helen bezane

Originally from Latvia, Helen Bezane holds a degree in English and Spanish Philology and a WSET certification. Now based in Sicily, she works across wine tour guiding, journalism, brokerage, and digital media, bringing a deep knowledge of the island’s wines to everything she does. Fluent in English, Italian, Russian, and Latvian, Helen has been running Bespoke Wine Tour Sicily since 2021, creating tailor-made experiences that showcase the culture and complexity of Sicilian wine through boutique wineries, native grape varieties, and authentic encounters.

 
 

FAQ

  • Please add yourself to the waitlist here. Once this trip is open for booking, you will receive an email from me with further instructions on how to make your deposit and book your spot. Reservations will be available on a first come, first served basis. Credit cards are accepted with no additional fees.

  • April 8-13, 2026

  • $4370 per person (single supplement: $1090)

    • Boutique accommodations

    • All wine tastings and winery visits

    • Guided food tours and hands-on cooking experiences

    • Most meals (with wine, of course!)

    • Private transport during the retreat (and to/from the Catania airport)

    • Local guides and cultural experiences

    • A few surprise treats along the way

    • Flights to/from Sicily

    • Travel insurance (highly recommended)

    • A few meals on your own for flexibility

    • Personal purchases

    • Gratuities

  • This retreat is perfect for wine lovers, food enthusiasts, and curious travelers who want a deeper taste of Sicily — culturally and literally. You don’t need to be a wine expert, just someone who enjoys good company and beautiful places.

  • Expect a relaxed but full itinerary. There’s plenty of wine tasting and dining, but also time to explore, rest, or sip espresso in a sunny piazza. Some light walking is involved, especially in historic hill towns.

  • Of course! Pricing for this trip is based on double occupancy, so there is just an additional fee of $1090 for solo travelers.

  • April is a beautiful time to visit Sicily, with mild and pleasant temperatures. You can expect daytime highs around 65–75°F (18–24°C) with cooler evenings of around 50–55°F (10–13°C).

    • Your passport

    • Comfortable walking shoes

    • Layers for warm days and cooler evenings

    • Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)

    • Appetite for wine and good food 😉

  • A 30% per person deposit ($1300 USD) is due upon booking. The final payment ($3070 USD) is due by January 8, 2026. Credit cards are accepted with no additional fees.

  • Deposits are non-refundable unless the trip is cancelled by us due to not meeting the minimum headcount. The final payment is non-refundable.