Sicily is coming to Whiskey Row. Join us at Back Alley Wine Bar in downtown Prescott on Monday, December 8th, 2025, from 4–9 pm for a Firriato-focused Sicilian flight.
A Sicily wine adventure is coming to Whiskey Row. Join Back Alley Wine Bar on Monday, December 8th, 2025, starting at 4pm for a three‑wine flight that explores Etna’s volcanic slopes and classic Sicilian Nero d’Avola, all from Firriato.
Sicily and its wine story
Sicily has been a crossroads of Mediterranean wine culture for over 2,500 years, shaped by Greek colonists, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish rulers, each leaving a mark on grape varieties and farming. Ancient authors praised Sicilian wines, and for centuries the island supplied powerful, sun‑drenched reds and sweet fortified styles to northern Europe and the British navy.
The 20th century brought phylloxera, overproduction, and a reputation for bulk wine, but starting in the 1980s a quality revolution focused on lower yields, hillside vineyards, and native grapes like Nero d’Avola, Grillo, Catarratto, Carricante, and Nerello Mascalese. Etna, with its high‑altitude volcanic terraces, has become one of Italy’s most dynamic regions, producing mineral‑driven whites and finely etched reds that rival top mainland appellations.
Today Sicily combines historic grapes with modern techniques: careful site selection, temperature‑controlled fermentations, and sensitive use of oak emphasize freshness and terroir rather than sheer power. From coastal vineyards near Trapani to lava‐stone terraces on Etna, producers showcase a spectrum from crisp island whites to age‑worthy volcanic reds.
Etna Bianco and Etna Rosso now sit alongside Nero d’Avola‑based reds as standard‑bearers for Sicilian quality, earning strong press and drawing wine travelers to the island. This Firriato flight offers a focused snapshot of that transformation: two Etna DOC wines from high elevations and one classic Nero d’Avola from Sicily’s heartland.
Meet Firriato
Founded in the 1980s, Firriato is a family‑owned estate that helped lead Sicily’s modern quality movement, investing early in single‑vineyard bottlings, native varieties, and organic practices. The family farms vineyards in multiple Sicilian zones, including Trapani in the west, the island of Favignana, and the Cavanera Etnea estate on Etna’s cooler, high‑altitude slopes.
Firriato’s portfolio ranges from coastal whites and structured Nero d’Avola to Etna classic‑method sparkling, single‑vineyard Carricante, and refined Nerello Mascalese reds that regularly earn high scores from major critics. The two “Le Sabbie dell’Etna” wines poured at this tasting are considered reference points for accessible, terroir‑expressive Etna DOC, while the Feudi Branciforti label showcases everyday‑luxury Nero d’Avola.
Visiting Firriato
Firriato welcomes visitors at several estates, including the Cavanera Etnea property on Etna and western Sicilian holdings near Trapani, offering tours, tastings, and wine‑focused hospitality. Visit their website for up‑to‑date details on experiences, reservations, and lodging options: https://firriato.it
For direct contact, use the winery’s published channels:
Phone: +39 0923 861 681 (main Firriato offices, Sicily)
Email: info@firriato.it
Whether you join the flight at Back Alley Wine Bar or someday stand among Etna’s lava terraces yourself, these three bottles offer a focused, delicious introduction to Sicily’s past, present, and future in the glass.
Wine Flight Preview: Tasting Notes
Etna Bianco 2023
- This Etna Bianco blends Catarratto and Carricante from Firriato’s Cavanera Etnea estate on Etna’s north‑eastern slopes, rooted in sandy, volcanic soils around 700+ meters elevation. Fermented in stainless steel and aged on fine lees, it emphasizes purity, texture, and minerality rather than oak.
- Aromas lean toward citrus, white peach, and green pear with notes of white flowers and a distinct saline, stony edge. The palate is crisp and medium‑bodied, with lively acidity, tangy lemon and orchard fruit, and a long, mouthwatering mineral finish.
- Food pairing ideas: pair with oysters, crudo, ceviche, grilled shrimp, light fish dishes, or fresh goat and sheep’s milk cheeses that echo the wine’s salty snap. Recent vintages of this cuvée have earned repeated 90–91 point scores from James Suckling, Wine Enthusiast, International Wine Report, and other publications, underlining its reputation as one of Etna’s benchmark value whites.
Etna Rosso 2021
- This Etna Rosso comes from Nerello Mascalese (with a touch of Nerello Cappuccio) grown on sandy, lava‑derived soils of the Cavanera Etnea estate around 700 meters, capturing Etna’s hallmark tension and aromatic complexity. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in a combination of tank and large, used wood, it aims for purity of fruit, fine tannins, and clear volcanic character.
- The bouquet shows red cherry, wild berries, and pomegranate layered with notes of cinnamon, black pepper, dried flowers, and subtle smoke. On the palate it is medium‑bodied and elegant, with bright acidity, polished tannins, and a long, savory, mineral‑driven finish that invites another sip.
- Food pairing ideas: think Margherita or mushroom pizza, grilled tuna or swordfish, roast pork, herby chicken, or charred vegetables and eggplant dishes that play with the wine’s spice and lift. The 2021 vintage has been recognized with 92‑point scores from James Suckling and WinesCritic, and recent releases often sit in the low‑90s from major reviewers, putting it among Etna’s strong value reds.
Feudi Branciforti dei Bordonaro Nero d’Avola 2021
- This wine centers on Nero d’Avola from Sicilian sites chosen for warm days and cooling breezes, giving ripe fruit while preserving acidity. Vinification typically combines stainless steel for freshness with a period in large or neutral wood to round tannins and add gentle spice without heavy oak imprint.
- Expect dark cherry, plum, and blackberry on the nose, with hints of sweet spice and dried Mediterranean herbs. The palate is medium‑ to full‑bodied with soft tannins, juicy black‑fruit core, and a smooth, crowd‑pleasing finish that still feels authentically Sicilian.
- Food pairing ideas: match with burgers, meatballs in tomato sauce, rich baked pasta, grilled lamb, sausage pizza, or aged pecorino—anything that loves generous fruit and gentle structure. Depending on market and vintage, this bottling commonly receives solid “good value” notes and scores in the high‑80s to around 90 points from regional guides and online critics, reflecting its role as a quality everyday Nero d’Avola.
Whether you join the flight at Back Alley Wine Bar or someday stand among Etna’s lava terraces yourself, these three bottles offer a focused, delicious introduction to Sicily’s past, present, and future in the glass.
Space is limited—early arrival recommended for best seating and flight availability!
Piedmont Tasting at Back Alley Wine Bar
Event Details
Location: Back Alley Wine Bar, Prescott, AZ
Date: Monday, December 8, 2025
Time: Starting at 4pm (tasting flight available through the evening)
Format: Guided tasting flight with food pairing suggestions inspired by Sicily’s classic fare
Atmosphere: Cozy, lively, and perfect for armchair-traveling to the island of Sicily with each glass.
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