The fifth edition of the Etna Wine Forum brings the southwest side of Etna to Rome

Etna Wine Forum returns to Biancavilla from October 8th to 11th.

The relationship with Biancavilla remains central to the fifth edition of the Etna Wine Forum. The aim of the event is to bring together wineries on the southwest slope of Etna with professionals, journalists, and enthusiasts, starting with the soil and climate characteristics that distinguish this part of the volcano. The program unfolds over four days and includes press tours, masterclasses, talks, conferences, tastings, and book presentations. The event thus aims to combine tastings with in-depth explorations of the region and its winemaking. Among the events is a masterclass dedicated to comparing Nerello Mascalese and Pinot Noir from Alto Adige, bringing together two terroirs and two interpretations of mountain viticulture.

Three Michelin-starred chefs for the cooking shows

New to the fifth edition are the cooking shows, hosted by Ruggero Sardo and Andrea Lo Cicero. Biancavilla will feature Heinz Beck, chef of La Pergola del Rome Cavalieri, Cristina Bowerman of Glass Hostaria in Rome, and Vincenzo Candiano of Locanda Don Serafino in Ragusa Ibla. The chefs' presence is part of a program that connects wine and cuisine, combining tastings featuring local producers with moments of interaction with the restaurant industry. The final day, Sunday, October 11, will be dedicated to tastings from the wineries on the southwest slope, set up in the courtyard of Villa delle Favare.

Wine also meets literature

In addition to the strictly wine-related portion, the program includes a special focus on the relationship between wine and culture. Thanks to the partnership with the Catania Book Festival, the event will feature "Parlare DiVino," a series of conversations about wine with authors. The event will be covered by Radio Amore, with live broadcasts, interviews, and insights, and by Antenna Sicilia's Isola Verde program, hosted by Ruggero Sardo. Sunday's program will be hosted by Noemi Moschitta.

Etna Wine Forum OFF brings wineries to Rome

The new event that looks beyond the Etna region is Etna Wine Forum OFF, scheduled for October 20th at the Waldorf Astoria in Rome, home of Bibenda. The event includes a double tasting dedicated to the wineries on the southwest slope of Etna. This move takes the event beyond its original location and connects the wineries of Biancavilla and the surrounding area with an audience of professionals and enthusiasts in the capital. "Etna Wine Forum demonstrates the success of a region with a strong identity like the southwest slope of Etna. It is a landmark event that this year extends beyond the island's borders with 'Etna Wine Forum OFF' and the wineries on the southwest slope involved in an extraordinary double tasting dedicated to the Biancavilla region," said Paolo Di Caro, president of the Italian Sommelier Foundation of Sicily.

Biancavilla focuses on the growth of wine companies

In introducing the fifth edition, Mayor Antonio Bonanno also emphasized the event's role in highlighting local businesses, including the most recently established ones. "The Etna Wine Forum is now in its fifth year, and it does so with the strength of an event that, year after year, has earned a prominent place in the national food and wine scene," Bonanno stated. The mayor then highlighted the presence of local chefs and wineries in this year's edition, and the event's role in providing space for new businesses and startups.

"In recent years, thanks to the Etna Wine Forum, new businesses in the sector have gained space and visibility, startups that have been able to present themselves to the public and industry professionals, grow, and make themselves known. This means that the event is not just a showcase, but a true driver of opportunities for the area," concluded Bonanno. The event is promoted by the Biancavilla municipal administration and relies on the Italian Sommelier Foundation as a technical partner. Sponsorship includes the regional departments for Local Authorities and Agriculture, MASAF, Confagricoltura, and the Etna Park. Collaborating partners include the Biancavilla Pro Loco, the ARS, and the Professional Center's School of Crafts.