Planeta

The Planeta family

Planeta is a Sicilian family winery. According to its website, the family has been tied to the land in Sicily for five centuries and 17 generations, and dates its origin to 1694; the modern winery began at the Ulmo estate, in Menfi, with its first harvest in 1995. Since then it has opened estates in five areas of the island: Menfi, Vittoria, Noto, Etna and Capo Milazzo. In 2022 it certified all the land it farms as organic. Its winemaker Alessio Planeta was named winemaker of the year at the 2023 Wine Star Awards.

Sciaranuova, on the north slope of Etna

On Etna it receives visitors at Contrada Sciaranuova, on the north slope of the volcano, at about 850 m. The estate lies among "sciare", the old lava flows, in this case from the 1614 eruption, surrounded by holm oaks, chestnuts and olive trees. The historic buildings were restored and are now the centre of Planeta's hospitality on Etna, which was the family's first step on the volcano.

It grows the native varieties of Etna, carricante, nerello mascalese and nerello cappuccio, and also pinot noir and riesling, in vineyards surrounded by volcanic stone terraces and a small natural amphitheatre. On the estate there is a contemporary artwork dedicated to the physicist Ettore Majorana, by the duo Claire Fontaine.

What experiences it offers

At Sciaranuova there are six formats: a vertical tasting of Etna wines, a tour of Sicilian products, a tasting of old vintages, a cookery class in the winery, a wine tasting with breads and cheeses of the volcano, and a visit combining wine, art and landscape. There are some designed for enthusiasts, for professionals and for families. The website does not publish the length or price of each on the estate's page; those of the experience we list appear in the offers on this page.

Season, booking and languages

Visits and tastings are by reservation only, made online in Planeta's booking system. The wineries are open from 1 March to 31 October, Monday to Saturday mornings, and closed on Sundays and public holidays. In 2026, Sciaranuova closed the season on 3 October. From November to February visits are only arranged on request for private events or large groups.

The experiences are held in Italian and English; you must state the language when booking. The website does not publish a cancellation policy or group size; for that it refers you to its contact form.

With children and without alcohol

Children are welcome and have their own rate, which includes the visit and a tasting of local products or non-alcoholic drinks. Whoever does not drink can do the visit without the wine tasting. The website does not set a minimum age.

Planeta also has accommodation and space for private events on other estates on the island, and a house in Palermo, the Palazzo Planeta.