Etna Wine Tour By 4X4

Today meet the off-road’s driver and transfer to Etna Volcano.

Along the drive we will stop for a panoramic view of a unique canyon comprised of basaltic lava (the “Alcantara Gorges”) and shaped by the waters of the Alcantara river. The Alcantara’s vertical cliffs reach 30 meters in height and its structures have been forged by high intensity geological and geothermal events. In prehistoric times, a river flowed here over clay sediments until a massive volcanic eruption channeled magma into the riverbed forming the current canyons.

Along the itinerary will drive though small Villages of the slopes of Mount Etna, like Castiglione di Sicilia, a medieval village perched on a hill overlooking the Alcantara valley.

Traveling through one of the wine roads of Sicily and crossing large expanses of vineyards (Etna D.O.C.), we will arrive at a local winery. This is the ideal place to enjoy relaxing moments while sampling a snack and excellent wines.

We will then make a brief stop at the 2002 lava flow reachable by jeep through a winding dirt road surrounded by chestnut and oak forests. The 2002 eruption lasted from October 27th to January 29th 2003 and it is considered one of the most explosive eruptions of the past one hundred years. Continuing our excursion we will reach the Ragabo pine forest where hidden among pines and brooms, we will discover the cave of Corruccio (1350 meters above sea level) a cave formed by flowing lava.

Continuing the drive we will reach Piano Provenzana (1800 meters above sea level), a ski resort, theater of the great eruption of 2002.

We will drive along the wine road of Mount Etna, crossing large expanses of vineyards to stop at another local winery to enjoy wine tasting/lunch before drive back to Taormina.