Rugged, peaceful and not on the tourist trail, the Madonie Mountains are real back-to-nature stuff. Locals here have been living off the land for years, and they've been making wine since Roman times. Combine medieval villages, ancient wineries and local food on this half-day tasting tour.
On the burnished hillsides, our first stop is Abbazia Sant'Anastasia Winery, a traditional vineyard. A full tour of the cellars is followed by a taste of their organic wines. From vine to glass, it doesn't get more natural than this.
Then it's on to Castelbuono – one good-looking Sicilian town. All cobbled lanes and medieval architecture, get lost in its maze of streets during free time, or stop by the 'borgo' and the chapel of Sant'Anna. There's a final stop in Fiasconaro to taste a typical panettone pastry treat and manna – a local sweetener made from ash tree resin.
