In the cellar

Sicilian sparkling wines: a network is launched to attract wine tourists

Irvo and Ais Sicilia have launched a manifesto to forge a shared identity amongst wineries, regions and institutions. Across the island, 140 producers make sparkling wines, with 330 labels and growth driven by Mount Etna

by Nino Amadore

12 July 2026

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4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

The Manifesto for turning sparkling wines into itineraries
A sector that is small in terms of volume but growing
Etna is driving the growth of Sicilian sparkling wines
Five regions that tell the story of Sicily’s sparkling wines
From the volcano to Pantelleria: wine becomes a tourist experience
The challenge: building a shared identity

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Sicily’s sparkling wine region is seeking to establish itself as a destination. No longer merely a niche production to be explored through its labels, but a map of territories to discover: vineyards, wineries, villages, nature reserves, archaeological sites, cities of art, the sea and gastronomy. This is the essence of the Sicilian Sparkling Wine Network, an initiative promoted by IRVO (Regional Institute of Wine and Olive Oil), in collaboration with AIS (Italian Sommelier Association) Sicily, which will be the focus of the conference ‘Sicilian Sparkling Wines. From oenological excellence to the experience of a region’, scheduled to take place as part of the twelfth edition of ‘Sicilia in Bolle’ in Realmonte.

The Manifesto for turning sparkling wines into itineraries

The key step will be the signing of the Manifesto of the Sicilian Sparkling Wines Network, a declaration of intent aimed at bringing together institutions, producers, consortia and local stakeholders to forge a shared identity. The aim is to transform Sicilian sparkling wine into a gateway to new wine tourism itineraries, capable of linking wine production to the experience of the local areas. The initiative by IRVO and the Regional Department for Agriculture, Rural Development and Mediterranean Fisheries stems from an international vision which recognises that competitiveness in wine markets is measured by the capacity to develop wine tourism in production areas; therefore, signing the network’s declaration of intent means planning a new model aimed at uniting Sicily’s wine-producing communities. The aim is to give voice to a shared and recognisable identity: Sicilian sparkling wine will become the gateway to itineraries that lead, stage by stage, to the discovery of the identity of these places and the biodiversity of the grape varieties.

A sector that is small in terms of volume but growing

The figures explain why this is no longer a marginal issue. According to the Irvo Observatory, there are around 140 sparkling wine producers in Sicily – including DOC, IG and varietal wines – with around 330 labels on the market. Fifty-four per cent of these labels are produced using the Charmat method, whilst 46 per cent are made using the Classic method. Production still accounts for less than 1 per cent of the region’s total wine output, but the sector is showing growing interest, driven by the accolades received by various wineries and new consumer trends favouring lighter, fresher and more sparkling wines.

Etna drives the growth of Sicilian sparkling wines

In 2025, 86 per cent of Sicilian sparkling wines were white and 14 per cent were rosé. By appellation, 49.1 per cent of production was IGT Terre Siciliane, 29.3 per cent DOC Sicilia and 20.4 per cent DOC Etna. Etna, in particular, showed the most dynamic growth: its share of total Sicilian sparkling wines rose from 9.8 per cent in 2018 to 20.4 per cent in 2025.

Looking at the individual categories, in 2025 the most widely produced was the IGT Terre Siciliane white sparkling wine, accounting for 18 per cent of the total. This was followed by the DOC Etna white sparkling wine at 17 per cent, the DOC Sicilia Grillo sparkling wine at 16 per cent and the IGT Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese white wine at 14 per cent. These top four types alone account for 65 per cent of the total production of Sicilian sparkling wines.

Five regions that tell the story of Sicily’s sparkling wines

The network has therefore emerged within a sector that is still small in terms of volume, but already sufficiently well-defined to be considered a regional story. The proposed map identifies five major areas: Etna, western Sicily, central Sicily, the south-east and Pantelleria. On Mount Etna, the Metodo Classico finds its most recognisable expression in the DOC designation, with Nerello Mascalese vinified as a white or rosé wine and aged on the lees for at least 18 months. In western Sicily, between Trapani, Marsala, Menfi and Agrigento, the Charmat method predominates, but the Metodo Classico is also growing in popularity, with grape varieties such as Grillo, Catarratto, Inzolia, Zibibbo, Grecanico, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Nero d’Avola and Pinot Noir.

Central Sicily, between Caltanissetta, Enna and the Agrigento hinterland, combines the Metodo Classico and Charmat methods, showcasing Nero d’Avola, Pinot Noir, Grillo, Catarratto, Inzolia and Chardonnay. In the south-east, between Ragusa, Syracuse and Noto, white Moscato and Nero d’Avola rosé feature alongside a sector where production using the Metodo Classico is on the rise. Pantelleria, on the other hand, remains committed to single-varietal Zibibbo, with sparkling wines predominantly produced using the Charmat method.

From the volcano to Pantelleria: wine becomes a tourist experience

The added value lies in the link with tourism. Mount Etna can form the basis of an itinerary taking in volcanic landscapes, villages built of lava stone, the Etna Nature Reserve, the Valle del Bove, the Alcantara Gorges and Taormina. Western Sicily can combine wineries, salt pans, nature reserves, the Valley of the Temples, Mozia, Segesta, Selinunte and Erice. Central Sicily can weave together wine, hills, inland areas, the Villa Romana del Casale, Morgantina, Castello di Lombardia and inland villages. The south-east can link sparkling wines to the Baroque architecture of the Val di Noto, Syracuse, Pantalica, Vendicari and Cavagrande. Pantelleria adds the distinctive character of the ‘alberello’ training system, an agricultural practice recognised by UNESCO.

The challenge: building a shared identity

The challenge now is to create a unified approach. Sicily does not yet have a sparkling wine category as recognisable as Prosecco, Franciacorta, Trentodoc or Alta Langa. However, the Manifesto promoted by Irvo and AIS Sicilia seeks to chart a course: starting with the diversity of the wine-growing regions and transforming it into a shared identity. Not a single sparkling wine, but a ‘Sicily of sparkling wines’. A network capable of bringing together production, hospitality, landscape and wine culture.