Palermo, July 29, 2026 – The 2026 grape harvest begins in western Sicily with the picking of the earliest white grape varieties. Over the course of nearly one hundred days, from the end of July onwards, the harvest will unfold across the island—from western Sicily to the inland areas, from the hyblaean plateau to the slopes of Mount Etna and the smaller islands—telling the story of the diversity of landscapes, grape varieties and expertise that make Sicily a true wine-growing continent.
„Assovini Sicilia’s member wineries share a common path built on quality, innovation and the continuous pursuit of excellence, helping to enhance the value of the territories and the people who preserve them„, says Gabriella Favara, President of Assovini Sicilia (link).
„The outlook for the 2026 harvest in Sicily is decidedly positive. The seasonal weather pattern, characterized by a particularly rainy winter and spring, has allowed for a good replenishment of soil water reserves, supporting balanced vegetative and productive vine growth. Moreover, the limited pressure from pests and diseases—with only a few isolated cases that were promptly managed—has ensured excellent vineyard health. Even the high temperatures recorded in July were well tolerated by the vines thanks to the accumulated water reserves. We expect a harvest of outstanding quality, with wines displaying remarkable aromatic complexity and an excellent balance of freshness and elegance„, says Pietro Pollara, Vice President of Assovini Sicilia (link).
In recent years, the end of July has consistently marked the beginning of Sicily’s main harvest season. International varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, known for their naturally high acidity, are harvested first to produce sparkling wine base wines as well as still wines.
„Western Sicily confirms Grillo as a resilient grape variety, capable of thriving even under challenging climatic conditions. Nero d’Avola and Perricone are also showing excellent vegetative development. Thanks to timely and rigorous vineyard management based on the principles of sustainable agriculture, growers have successfully controlled the main vine diseases, preserving the perfect integrity of every bunch„, explains Giampiero Vantaggiato, agronomist at Feudo Stagnone (link) & Cantine Birgi (link).
The first grapes in inland Sicily will not be harvested until the second half of August. Gianfranco Lombardo, owner and agronomist at Tenute Lombardo (link), reports „excellent prospects for the vintage, with a rediscovered Nero d’Avola expressing new characteristics and a Catarratto that is expected to stand out for its elegant fruit profile„.
In the Ragusa area, Frappato remains the flagship variety—a grape capable of expressing the unique relationship between wine and terroir. „The Frappato grapes, vigorous and highly resistant to extreme heat„, comment Carlo Casavecchia and Gaetana Jacono of Valle dell’Acate (link), „suggest a complex Frappato, an unconventional red wine that is elegant, contemporary and perfectly suited to accompany even the most unexpected pairings during warm summer evenings„.
Further south-east, in Noto, extreme heat is successfully managed „thanks to the traditional bush-trained vines„, explains Gionata Pulignami, Technical Director of Zisola (link). „The absence of a trellis structure allows cooler air currents and sea breezes to circulate freely„. Looking ahead, the 2026 vintage is expected to once again highlight the unmistakable identity of this corner of Sicily.
The hills of the Faro DOC (link) create a unique landscape unlike any other in Sicily. Facing north towards the Strait of Messina, they benefit from a distinctive microclimate shaped by the famous Strait winds, creating ideal conditions for premium native varieties such as Nocera and Nerello Mascalese.
„High temperatures have had only a marginal impact on the quality of our vineyards, which remain in excellent phytosanitary condition and provide outstanding prospects for winemaking„, says Gianfranco Sabbatino, co-owner of Le Casematte (link).
Alongside Faro DOC, Mamertino DOC (link) expresses the winemaking tradition of the Messina area through varieties such as Nocera and Nero d’Avola. „We remain cautious and are closely monitoring developments over the coming weeks. It will be important to see how Nocera—a variety particularly sensitive to high temperatures—responds„, says Antonio Grasso of Feudo Solaria (link).
Sicily’s archipelagos represent „an island within the island“, adding further diversity and uniqueness to an already extraordinarily complex wine-growing landscape. „The outlook on Salina, in the Aeolian Islands, is positive and exciting, thanks to a season that has achieved an ideal balance for all the area’s traditional varieties. Malvasia, in particular, is expected to reach outstanding quality levels, producing wines with remarkable aromatic complexity and freshness„, says Pietro Colosi, winemaker at Colosi (link).
As for Zibibbo, the iconic grape variety of Pantelleria, „the rise in temperatures has not compromised its outstanding performance. On the contrary, it has favoured a particularly well-balanced sugar-acidity ratio. From the earlier-ripening coastal vineyards to the later mountain districts, harvesting will take place progressively, allowing optimal winery management and ensuring high-quality production„, explains Gianfranco Giacalone, agronomist at Cantine Pellegrino (link).
The harvest journey will conclude on Mount Etna, where grape picking is expected to continue from mid-September through the end of October, with possible extensions into early November.
Altitude and significant day-night temperature variations play a crucial role in preserving grape complexity. „Favourable climatic conditions and the continental climate of Europe’s highest active volcano allow us to harvest healthy Nerello Mascalese and Carricante grapes with excellent aromatic expression and an interesting balance between phenolic ripeness and acidity. These are the unique defining characteristics of Etna’s wines„, says Salvatore Rizzuto, winemaker at Gambino Winery (link).
