Marabino winery

Italy

"We believe in working with nature, not against it. That’s what being a biodynamic winery and farm means to us."

For the summer of 2025 we set our sights on Sicily, the sun-drenched island at the very tip of Italy. Although we had already traveled through La Bella Italia several times before, this was our very first visit to the island itself. Since Sicily is quite large, we decided to focus our journey on the eastern side of Sicily for this trip.

Staying at an agriturismo with vineyard in Sicily

Our trip to eastern Sicily began at Catania Airport, where the scorching summer heat welcomed us with over 40°C. After landing, we set out to pick up our rental car, but quickly discovered that choosing a budget car rental company might not have been the wisest decision. Unlike the big international brands with clear signage, our desk was hidden away behind the larger companies, and it took quite some time to track it down.

When we finally picked up our rental car, it already showed a fair share of scratches and dents, so at least we didn’t have to worry too much about driving it with extreme care. After spending a few days at an agriturismo near Catania, we continued our journey towards the southeast of Sicily. Here, we had booked a stay at a beautiful agriturismo with a large vineyard.

While the hotel was about a twenty-minute drive from the vineyards, both the Relais Torre Marabino and the Marabino vineyards are well worth a visit. Located in the southeastern province of Val di Noto, this area offers a combination of Sicilian wine tourism, local cuisine and historic architecture.

Southeastern Sicily was largely destroyed by the 1693 earthquake, only to rise again in stunning Baroque style. Today, towns like Noto, Modica, and Scicli (among others) are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Be sure to explore some of the region’s churches, famous for their stunning, ornate interiors.

Visiting Marabino winery in Sicily

For our afternoon visit to Marabino winery and vineyards, true to Sicilian adventure, we took a wrong turn along the way. The roads quickly became narrower, the vegetation thicker, and the potholes impressively large. Just after rounding a blind bend, we found ourselves in the middle of a flock of sheep. Sicilian rush hour at its finest!

We finally reached the entrance of Marabino winery, where we were welcomed by Elia, who guided us on a short vineyard tour. While winemaker Pierpaolo Messina wasn’t available that day, Elia showed us around the estate with enthusiasm and knowledge. Although the temperature was slightly lower than the scorching days before, it still felt like a Sicilian oven outside. Our tour included a vineyard of newly planted vines just beyond the entrance and a plot of older, established vines.

The vineyards of Marabino Winery benefit from a terroir rich in limestone and clay soils. While you might expect pale, sandy tones, the ground here is surprisingly colorful. The vineyards are planted at different altitudes, which creates a natural diversity in ripening times. As a result, grapes from various plots, and even sections within a single vineyard, reach maturity at different moments. This allows Marabino’s small team to harvest 29 hectares of vineyards entirely by hand!

Sicilian grape varieties

After stepping inside to escape the Sicilian heat, we began exploring the grapes that define the island’s winemaking. In Sicily, Nero d’Avola is by far the most important red grape variety. Other native grapes such as Frappato and Nerello Mascalese, also play an important role in Sicilian viticulture. At Marabino winery, the spotlight is firmly on Nero d’Avola, and during our tasting we sampled several expressions of this grape. Each glass confirmed why many wine lovers consider the best Nero d’Avola wines to come from this very corner of Sicily.

When it comes to white wines, Marabino takes a unique approach compared to many other producers in Sicily. Instead of the island’s common white grapes like Grillo, Catarratto or Inzolia, Marabino focuses primarily on Moscato (di Noto) Bianco. A small amount of Chardonnay is also planted on the region’s calcareous soils, resulting in their distinctive white wine called Eureka, a bottle well worth seeking out. The Moscato Bianco is not only vinified into a white wine but is also used in other ways.

Soleggiato is more than just a wine. This unique wine begins its journey in the most natural way possible. The grapes are carefully dried under the warm Sicilian sun, encouraging a spontaneous fermentation that sets the stage for its distinctive character. Once fermented, the wine is aged for about 30 months in wooden barrels. The wine is then transferred to steel tanks, blending small amounts of young wine with older vintages.

But the true magic of Soleggiato comes from its final transformation. The wine is placed back under the sun in large, spherical glass bottles known as damejeannes. Here, it slowly evolves, developing its signature oxidative style.

Biodynamic viticulture: sustainable winemaking

Since 2008, Marabino winery has embraced biodynamic viticulture, going a step beyond traditional organic wine practices. Inspired by the holistic philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy, biodynamics highlights the interconnectedness of soil, plants, animals, people and even the cosmos.

A defining feature of biodynamic vineyards is the use of natural preparations and sustainable farming methods that nurture the vineyard ecosystem. By balancing soil life, flora, fauna, and environmental rhythms, biodynamics creates a vineyard where wines can flourish naturally, producing grapes with character and complexity.

At its core, biodynamic winemaking is about responsible stewardship of the land. The goal is clear: cultivate healthy vineyards today so future generations can enjoy them. You can't argue with that, can you?

Relais Torre Marabino: a historic Sicilian retreat

During our stay in Sicily, we had the pleasure of experiencing Relais Torre Marabino, a charming family-run agriturismo. The property itself is a stately, fortified building, with foundations that likely date back to the Middle Ages.

The beautifully restored estate is surrounded by a garden, featuring palm trees, cacti, and centuries-old olive trees shaped in whimsical forms. The swimming pool is a good spot to escape the heat of the Sicilian sun and to unwind after a day of discovering local sights.

Dining at Torre Marabino is a treat, with a restaurant serving refined Sicilian cuisine crafted from local ingredients. But if (like us) you also enjoy small local eateries, there is fortunately more than enough to be found in surrounding towns such as Ispica, Rosolini, and Pozzallo.

Updated: 02-02-2026