Florio Winery (Cantine Florio)

The basics

Florio Winery is just outside Marsala: A tour and tasting is easy to pair with a food or sightseeing tour in the old town, an excursion to the salt flats between Marsala and Trapani, or a boat tour of the Mothia (Mozia) lagoon. Alternatively, schedule a winery visit after a morning cruise from Marsala to Favignana and Levanzo in the Aegadian Islands. Most winery tours include visits to the production area and historic barrel rooms, plus a guided tasting in the indoor tasting room or outdoor terrace.

Things to know before you go

• Kids 18 and younger are welcome to join winery tours, but are not served during tastings.

• There are a variety of tours and tastings to choose from, which range from around 75 minutes to 90 minutes.

• Photography is allowed and the historic barrel rooms are particularly picturesque.

• The winery is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

How to get there

Florio Winery is located just south of Marsala’s old town along the Sicilian coastline, just a 5-minute taxi ride or 20-minute walk from the city center. There is ample parking if you arrive by rental car, or join a wine tour with private transport for seamless logistics.

When to get there

The winery is open for tours and tastings from Monday to Friday all year round—dates book up far in advance, so reserve your visit ahead of time. There are both indoor and outdoor tasting spaces, making it a good option for a rainy day.

What is Marsala wine?

Invented in 1773 by English merchant John Woodhouse, Marsala wine is the bold wine produced in southwest Sicily that is then fortified with added alcohol. Historically, brandy was used to fortify Marsala, but today wineries use a variety of additives—from ethyl alcohol to cooked must—after the fermentation stage, and then age the Marsala in oak barrels until ready to be bottled. The finished product is sweet and is commonly served as a dessert or aperitif wine.