As the many international prizes won by Sicilian producers confirm, some of Italy’s best wine is from Sicily.
It is not, however, always easy find if you are not staying near a larger town or a good wine seller. For this reason, The Thinking Traveller, in association with PLANETA, one of Sicily’s most prestigious wine producers (see expert reviews), offers a wine delivery service in a selection of its villas in Sicily.
What are the advantages?
- excellent quality Sicilian wine for the whole of your stay waiting for you on arrival at your villa
- 12 fabulous wines to choose from (see below)
- excellent value - prices are the same as those you will find in most wine shops
- free delivery on orders over €250
- simple and quick to order
- no disappointing shopping trips or loading/unloading the car with cases of wine
It really is a win-win service!
To order, log onto your secure booking management pages (tell us if you need us to resend your login details, or just enter the email address you used when you booked and we'll resend your password immediately) select the wine you want (see below) and pay for it online using our secure server (please ensure that your order is placed at least one week before your arrival date). It takes a few minutes, and your wine will be waiting for you when you arrive at your villa in Sicily. Free delivery is included for all orders of €250 or more (delivery for orders less than that amount is just €20).
See what previous guests say about this service >>
Choose your Sicilian wine from the PLANETA range
SANTA CECILIA IGT
Grape varieties: 100% Nero d'Avola
Area of production: Noto, south-east Sicily
Tasting notes
Colour: purple red with violet hue.
Nose: lively and characteristic of Nero d'Avola grown in the Noto area. Prune, seasoned pomegranate, cake of strawberry. Carobs and fig preserve. Palate: elegant and compact tannins, sustained by an electric an vibrating acidity typical of Nero d'Avola from the South East of Sicily.
Alcohol content (approx): 14.3% vol
Price: €125 for a case of 6 bottles
MERLOT IGT
Grape varieties: 100% Merlot
Area of production: Sambuca, south-west Sicily
Tasting notes
Colour: dense ruby red.
Nose: refined scents of blackcurrant, ripe prune, candied violets. Yeasts, emerging hints of balsam and herbs.
Palate: full and heavy overall, striking. Tannins are rendered manageable by its structure and considerable verve. Unending finish.
Alcohol content (approx): 14.8% vol
Price: €125 for a case of 6 bottles
CERASUOLO DI VITTORIA DOCG
Grape varieties: 60% Nero d’Avola, 40% Frappato
Area of production: Vittoria, south-east Sicily
Tasting notes
Cololur: ruby red with slight sour cherry glints.
Nose: typical of the wines of Vittoria and its terroir. Aromas of small red fruits, strawberry, cherry, prickly pear, Etna dog rose conserves and fruit sweets. Very individual and recognisable.
Palate: juicy, full and flowing with delicate velvety tannins.
Alcohol content (approx): 13% vol
Price: €69 for a case of 6 bottles
SYRAH
Grape varieties: 100% Syrah
Area of production: Menfi and Sambuca, south-west Sicily
Tasting notes
Colour: ruby red with violet undertones.
Nose: complex and interesting bouquet. A combined spiciness of red fruit, including bilberries and blackberries. Hints of sage, black pepper and cinnamon.
Palate: the impact leaves no gaps. Rich and soft, with a refreshing liveliness and smooth tannins. A sunny and expressive Syrah.
Alcohol content (approx): 14.8% vol
Price: €125 for a case of 6 bottles
LA SEGRETA ROSSO IGT
Grape varieties: 50% Nero d'Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah,5% Cabernet Franc
Area of production: Menfi and Sambuca, south-west Sicily
Tasting notes
Colour: ruby red laden with purple hue.
Nose: red and black fruit exploding on the nose with redcurrant and cherry. Characteristic fierce hints of Nero d'Avola.
Palate: full, enfolding the palate with a pleasant softness and velvety tannin. A wine of open and communicative character; a friendly wine.
Alcohol content (approx): 13.3% vol
Price: €45 for a case of 6 bottles
BURDESE IGT
Grape varieties: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc
Area of production: Menfi and Sambuca, south-west Sicily
Tasting notes
Colour: intense ruby red.
Nose: deep and rich. An initially sweet profile recalling blackberry and sour cherry, followed by peppers, leather, light tobacco, cocoa and a hint of asphalt.
Palate: in the mouth full, forceful and energetic, with a voluminous but at the same time flowing structure. A long finish.
Alcohol content (approx): 14.45% vol
Price: €125 for a case of 6 bottles
PLUMBAGO
Grape varieties: 100% Nero d'Avola
Area of production: Sambuca, south-west Sicily
Tasting notes
Colour: intense red with hints of purple.
Nose: abundance of red fruits like plum aromas, ripe blackberry typical of western Sicily Nero d'Avola blended with scents of cocoa, and almost Sacher cake.
Palate: soft tannins and roundness characterizes the wine.
Alcohol content (approx): 13.5% vol
Price: €60 for a case of 6 bottles
ROSE' DOC
Grape varieties: 100% Syrah
Area of production: Menfi, south-west Sicily
Tasting notes
Colour: Cerasuolo pink, luminous.
Nose: aromas of red-berried fruit such as the wild strawberries of Ribera and pomegranate with a hint of seaweed.
Palate: fresh, vibrant and juicy. Food-pairing suggestions: Ideal as aperitif, with white meat and lightly fried food. Air-dried ham or simply with peanuts and dried pistachios.
Alcohol content (approx): 12.5% vol
Price: €48 for a case of 6 bottles
PASSITO DOC
Grape varieties: 100% Passito Bianco
Area of production: Noto, south-east Sicily
Tasting notes
Colour: brilliant golden yellow.
Nose: hints of honey, dried apricot, mango and dates. Rose petals, chestnut and jasmine. Aromas of Darjeeling tea and ginger.
Palate: harmonious, full and with marked acidity which ensures it is never dull. Finish: viscous, full and lasting.
Alcohol content (approx): 11% vol
Price: €132 for a case of 6 bottles or €70 for 3 bottles (Passito bottles are smaller than standard wine bottles, at 50cl rather than 75cl)
CARRICANTE IGT SICILIA 2009
Grape varieties: 100% Carricante
Area of production: Mount Etna, 870m above sea level
Tasting notes
Colour: pale yellow with shades of green.
Nose: Green apple, typical of vines grown at altitude, white flowers, wild honey. Hints of mineral and very evident mint. The wine is young and it still has primary aromas designed to facilitate aging
Palate: mouth sour and fresh in the style of Etna. Long and persistent with obvious fragrance.
Alcohol content (approx): 13.1% vol
Price: €81 for a case of 6 bottles
LA SEGRETA BIANCO IGT
Grape varieties: 50% Grecanico, 30% Chardonnay, 10% Viognier, 10% Fiano
Area of production: Menfi and Sambuca, south-west Sicily
Tasting notes
Colour: a clear yellow with slight greenish reflections.
Nose: fruity and fragrant with aromas of pineapple, lime and citrus.
Palate: fresh and balanced with a good match between acidity and volume. A fine aromatic finish. Good correspondence between acidity and volume.
Alcohol content (approx): 12.9% vol
Price: €45 for a case of 6 bottles
ALASTRO IGT
Grape varieties: 70% Grecanico, 30% Chardonnay
Area of production: Sambuca, south-west Sicily
Tasting notes
Colour: intense straw yellow with light greenish hue.
Nose: intense and soft. Notes of medlar, white peach from Bivona and pink grapefruit, with hints of vanilla, jasmine and green tea.
Palate: measured and soft with a structure well supported by its acidity. A floral and complex finish.
Alcohol content (approx): 12.5% vol
Price: €60 for a case of 6 bottles
CHARDONNAY IGT
Grape varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Area of production: Sambuca, south-west Sicily
Tasting notes
Colour: golden yellow with bright greenish hue.
Nose: refined aromas of apricot, hawthorn, hay and vanilla cream. Citrus fruit perfumes. The wood is delicate and hidden beneath the fruit fragrances.
Palate: harmonious, rounded, satisfying. Full-bodied. Pleasant mineral notes appear in the prolonged finish.
Alcohol content (approx): 14% vol
Price: €129 for a case of 6 bottles
COMETA IGT
Grape varieties: 100% Fiano
Area of production: Menfi, south-west Sicily
Tasting notes
Colour: straw yellow with evident green tints.
Nose: as always, abounding with aromas of white flowers, thyme and camomile. Citrus hints of tangerine, lychee and mint.
Palate: elegant and voluptuous. Expressive and enveloping, well supported by a fresh acidity. Mineral notes which well express the terroir. A full and progressive finish.
Alcohol content (approx): 14% vol
Price: €129 for a case of 6 bottles
What our clients say about our wine delivery service
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Here are a few comments previous guests have made about Planeta wine and our in-villa delivery service:
"The wine delivery was a great service and we loved having it." Mary Anne D'Onofrio (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo)
"Wine delivery was a useful service." Susan Polywka (stayed at Casa di Pietra)
"Wine delivery very slick, nice freebies too." David Wallwork (stayed at Il Palmento dei Castagni
"Wine delivery was a great idea. Good quality wine with extras." Penelope Battrick (stayed at Ballata)
"Wine delivery was extermely helpful in getting us started." Catherine Mortimer (stayed at Villa Saracena)
"Loved the wine delivery service, very helpful indeed." Genevieve Duhigg (stayed at Casa delle Sirene)
"We only used the wine delivery - fantastic idea and great." Catherine O'Neill (stayed at Casa Nuvola)
"The Planeta wine was fantastic." Franco Magliocco (stayed at Palazzo Hedoné)
"Wine delivery turned out to be a fantastic idea and the wine was excellent." Lynn Doughty (stayed at L'Olivastro)
"The wine delivery was competent, the wine itself was ambrosial. I have never tasted such a wonderful Chardonnay in my life and the Merlot was deep and smooth - exquisite!!" Vivienne Ibrahim (stayed at Casa delle Sirene)
"Wine was delivered on the day and was excellent." Beverley Hampton (stayed at Villa Farli)
"The Planeta wine was delicious and it was lovely to see it there on our arrival!" Petria Lenehan (stayed at Cinnamon)
"Loved the convenience of ordering wine in advance of our arrival!" Charlotte Russo, US (stayed at Rocca Ognibene)
"Wine service was a very nice touch. (and we went down to visit the Planeta estate as part of our trip!)" John Cassano (stayed at Villa Glicine)
"The wine delivery worked well. Jane Rowley (stayed at Villa Farli)
"We were very grateful for the Planeta wine delivery, especially as we arrived so late on Saturday pm." Sheena Smith (stayed at Buzza Alta)
"We had wine delivered and thoroughly enjoyed it. We should really have made more of this service and ordered red and whites as well as the Rosato!" Rosie McLean (stayed at Casa Nuvola)
"Wine delivery perfect. Wine tasting- very nice." Gary Pilchak (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo)
"Wine was great. " Anders Gratte (stayed at Villa Favola)
"The wine was there and most welcome upon our arrival." Daniel Shaw (stayed at Villa Principe di Lumia)
"Wine delivery service excellent." Joyce Kitchen (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro)
"Wine delivery was great. Winery tour was great." Steven Radwany (stayed at Il Borghetto)
"We used the wine delivery which again was great for short trip when it might have taken us some time to find nice wines." Georgina Perceval-Maxell (stayed at Il Ciliegio)
"I think the wine was the best I have had." Chantal Wierstra (stayed at Masseria Moscala)
"Wine delivery there on arrival and very good." Henriette Manners, UK (stayed at Il Borghetto)
"We had a wine delivery which despite my rather late order arrived on the Saturday we arrived which was great. The wine was very good particularly the red wine...I would definitely recommend it." Julie Walsh, UK (stayed at Buzza Alta)
""Wine delivery was perfect." Peter Gfoeller, Austria (stayed at Il Ciliegio)
"Wine delivery, waiting for us upon arrival. Good service." Susan Striepe, US (stayed at Cala Bianca)
"Had wine delivery....good service... We were good-to-go!" Anthony Bosco, US (stayed at Villa Verderame)
"I was overly optimistic so we brought the wine back with us - loved it and are dying to go to the Planeta winery next time." Yvette Yeates, UK (stayed at Al Plemmirio)
"Wine delivery worked fine." Jocelyn Stewart, US (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo)
"Wine delivery service was great..." Paula Hardy and Rob Smith, UK (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo)
"Wine delivery was great." Susan Pemberton, UK (stayed at La Favorita)
"The wine we ordered was there when we arrived and the fresh lasagna and freshly baked bread was delicious." Jon Kuhl, US (stayed at Buzza Alta)
"The wine tour at Planeta was amazing from the warm welcome and excellent hospitality to the fantastic wine and Olive Oil tasting, followed by an al fresco lunch, the highlight of my trip!" Helen Keen, UK (stayed at Ballata)
"Wine delivery good." Khrys and Wayne Thomas (stayed at Villa Favola)
"We loved the wines that we selected. I will be looking to see if they ship to Canada. The bonus olive oil was also appreciated." Judith Goucher (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro)
"Wine service was a very nice touch. (and we went down to visit the planeta estate as part of our trip!)" John Cassano (stayed at Villa Glicine)
"The wine service was also excellent." Kathy Goddard (stayed at La Fenice)
"The wine was excellent." Anthony Rugg (stayed at Casale Castelluzzo)
"We also booked a wine tasting with Planeta at Uomo. This was excellent and much more personal, less corporate feel than other wine tastings I've been to in other countries." James Manson (stayed at Le Chicas)
"Wine was delivered before our arrival so all the wine was in place... great service." Irina Romanova (stayed at Baia dei Turchi)
What the experts say about Planeta's wines
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About Planeta: Planeta is without doubt one of Sicily’s foremost producers of quality wines. Run by three cousins, Alessio, Francesca and Santi, the winery was founded in 1990 and immediately set about improving the standard of wine produced on the island. It now boasts 350 hectares of vineyards divided between five estates spread around Sicily reflecting the diversity of Sicilian wines and grape varieties, and produces around 2,200,000 bottles per year.
What the experts say
"The Planeta family put Sicily on the modern wine map with its Merlot and Chardonnay but this Syrah is extremely well made - gentle texture and serious flavours. Not an outrageous price for this quality."
Jancis Robinson in The Financial Times
"A wine that I'm very enthusiastic about at the moment is the 2004 Planeta Burdese, from Sicily. This is a Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc blend with an intense and richly extracted minerality that's nicely balanced with hints of bell pepper and anise..."
Anthony Mazzola, Managing Partner, Accademia di Vino in USA Today
“The Burdese ’05 for its great depth and elegance, rich minerality and spice aromas... the Fiano Cometa ’06, the Chardonnay ’06, the Nero d’Avola Santa Cecilia ’05, the Syrah from the same year and all the other labels. They’re all excellent."
Gambero Rosso, Italy’s authoritative wine and food guide
"Tasting through a complete lineup of Planeta's current releases, it's easy to ssee why the winery is considered by many to be the island's finest family-owned producer. Current releases include the top-value La Segreta Bianco and Rosso bottlings; the absolutely unique Cometa, from 100% Fiano; excellent rendering of Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah, and two superb Nero d'Avolas, the Cerasuolo di Vittoria and the Santa Cecilia. This stellar list concludes with a decadently sweet Moscato di Noto. The Planeta wines truly show Sicily's potential."
Sommelier Journal