Explore Sicily's wine renaissance with tours of volcanic vineyards, tasting world-class wines, and embracing rich cultural heritage. Read more
Tasca d’Almerita Winery Guide
EXPLORE ALL OUR RECOMMENDED ITALIAN WINERIES
Last updated: November 25, 2023
Winery Overview
Tasca d’Almerita is a fine wine-producing estate in Sicily with an aristocratic background. It was founded in 1830 and has been the reference point for ultra-high-quality wine for over 100 years. While Sicily gained an unfortunate reputation in the 1950s–80s for making bulk wine mainly used for blending, few wineries took the risky position of making fine wine. Tasca d’Almerita, however, was one of the fabulous and few exceptions. These days, Sicily is making some of the most exciting wines in Italy, and Tasca d’ Almerita has plenty of competition, but they are not resting on their laurels. This winery regularly gets top marks in the winepress and now has faithful followers worldwide; they export to over sixty countries!
About an hour south of Cefalù and a bit farther from Palermo, the Tasca d’ Almerita estate is set in the pristine countryside. The winery is located on the Regaleali estate close to Vallelunga Pratameno and is one of Sicily’s most beautiful. While much of central Sicily is arid, the area around this wine estate is lush and verdant, with scenic rolling hills. Both indigenous and international grape varietals are planted, from the ubiquitous Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon to flagship Sicilian varietals like Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Catarratto, and Inzolia. Tasca’s wines are often blends of both local and foreign varietals. Apart from vast stretches of over 1000 hectares of vineyards (beautiful at harvest time!), the estate is also a working farm, cultivating all manner of vegetables, herbs, and fruits. A full-time cheesemaker is also on site.
The company is owned by Count Lucio Tasca (descendant of the original owners) and run by himself and his sons Alberto and Giuseppe. Tuscan winemaker and consultant Carlo Ferrini is at the helm at Tasca d’ Almerita and is an extremely famous personality in the wine world. He is a flying winemaker and wine consultant to a flurry of cult estates in Italy, including fellow Sicilian winery Donnafugata, the beautiful Tenuta San Leonardo near Trento, Casanova di Neri (named best wine in the world by Wine Spectator), and Castello Romitorio in Montalcino, Poliziano’s Montepulciano estate, and Castello del Terriccio in the Maremma. Ferrini has been named Winemaker of the Year various times, most recently by Wine Enthusiast magazine this year.
He is supported at Tasca d’Almerita by talented professionals, including Giuseppe Tasca and Laura Orsi. They can be credited for making fabulous wines like the hallmark Rosso del Conte and Nozze d’Oro. Apart from the Regaleali estate, the family has a winemaking venture on the stunning Aeolian Island of Salina, where they make their Capofaro Malvasia and a luxurious boutique hotel cooking school.
Wines produced
-
Almerita Brut Contea di Sclafani DOC
"Methode Champenoise" sparkling wine, 100% Chardonnay, aged in bottle before release, 13.5% alc. -
Cabernet Sauvignon Contea di Sclafani DOC
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in Allier new oak and 1 year old oak for 18 months, plus min 1 year in bottle, 14 % alc. -
Rosso del Conte Contea di Sclafani DOC
Nero d’Avola blend (varying red varietals), signature Tasca D’Almerita wine. Aged for 18 months in French barrique, plus min 6 months in bottle, 14.5% alc. -
Regaleali Nero d'Avola IGT Sicilia
100% Nero d'Avola, aged for 6-8 months in Slovenian oak, plus 2 months in bottle, 13% alc. -
La Segreta Rosso IGT Sicilia
50% Nero d’Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Franc, fermented in stainless steel, 13.5% alc. -
Regaleali Bianco IGT Sicilia
Blend of Inzolia, Cataratto and Grecanico, aged for 3 months in stainless steel tank, plus 1 month in bottle, 12% alc. -
Nozze d'Oro Contea di Sclafani DOC
40% Inzolia, 60% Varietà Tasca (blend with equal parts of indigenous Inzolia and Sauvignon Tasca, a clone of Sauvignon Blanc). Aged for 5 months on its lees, plus min 3 more months in bottle, 12.5% alc. -
Leone d'Almerita IGT Sicilia
85% Catarratto and 15% Chardonnay. Aged in French oak, plus additional time in bottle, combined 6 months, no Malolactic, 12.5% alc. -
Chardonnay Contea di Sclafani DOC
100% Chardonnay, fermented in new and second use Allier and Tronçais barriques for seven months, plus min six months in bottle, 14 % alc. -
Cygnus IGT Sicilia
75% Nero d'Avola and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, annual production of only 2,500 bottles, aged for 10 months in French oak, plus 10 months in bottle, 13.5% alc. -
Diamante Passito IGT Sicilia
60% Moscato and 40% Traminer Aromatico, this sweetie is fermented in stainless steel and aged in the tank for 6 months, 11 % alc. -
Lamùri Nero d'Avola IGT Sicilia
Lamùri means “love” in Sicilian dialect. 100% Nero d’Avola, aged for 12 months in French oak, plus 3 months in bottle, 13.5% alc. -
Le Rosé di Regaleali IGT Sicilia
100% Nerello Mascalese, 12.5 % alc.
Winery Contact Details
Tasca d’Almerita
Contrada Regaleali90020 Sclafani Bagni (PA)
Sicily
Email: [email protected]
Tel +39 0921 544011
Fax +39 091426703 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
Sicilia I.G.T, Contea di Sclafani DOC
Founded
1830
Area under Vine
600 hectares
Age of vines
Oak barrel origin
Winemaker
Giuseppe Tasca and Laura Orsi
Owner
Count Lucio Tasca
Production
3.0 million bottles
Grape varietals
Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Moscato, Malvasia, Traminer Aromatico, Inzolia, Cataratto, Chardonnay and Grecanico
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
-
Cataratto
Discover Catarratto: Sicily's Evolution from Workhorse to Premium White Wines, a Tale of Terroir and Innovation
Find out more -
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape varietal native to the Burgundy wine region in France and one of the most popular varieties worldwide.
Find out more -
Grecanico (Garganega)
Discover Garganega Wines: From Sweet Elegance to Vivacious Dry Delights | Explore the Complexity of This Exceptional Grape
Find out more -
Inzolia
Sicilian Inzolia Wines: Freshness and Complexity Unveiled | Discover Italy's Vibrant Whites in Every Glass
Find out more -
Malvasia
Malvasia Bianca, a historical grape from Greece, now thrives in Sicily and the Aeolian Islands, producing unique sweet wines.
Find out more -
Traminer Aromatico
A white wine grape from South Tyrol and named after the town of Tramin, is grown throughout Italy. This grape produces a smooth, consistent wine with a rich aromatic profile of fruity and spicy notes, pairing well with spicy dishes, smoked salmon, or blue cheese, and is also enjoyed alone. The grapes are pink and waxy, with an aromatic flavor.
-
Cabernet Sauvignon
Discover the irresistible allure of Cabernet Sauvignon—a worldwide favorite with robust, dark-bodied flavor. Unleash your wine journey today!
Find out more -
Moscato
Discover the Rich Tradition of Muscat Wine: From Ancient Air-Drying to Sweet and Sparkling Varieties | Explore Muscato Giallo
Find out more -
Nerello Mascalese
Sicily's Jewel: Discover the Magic of Nerello Mascalese Wines - A Symphony of Terroir, Quality, and Elegance Awaits
Find out more -
Nero d’Avola
Explore Nero d'Avola: Sicily's prized red grape, introduced by the Greeks, known for its rich, dark wines, and esteemed for its versatility.
Find out more
Winery Appellations
Author
Further Reading: Discover More Related Blog Content
More information
If you would like us to customize an exclusive luxury tour, contact us and let us know your travel plans. We offer luxury food and wine tours for private groups of a mininium two guests. In addition, all of our private, chauffeured tours are available year-round upon request.
