Castelbuono Tour with Wine Tasting from Cefalù
About this activity
Experience Highlights
Discover the medieval magic of Castelbuono, jewel of the Madonie Mountains, on a half-day excursion departing from Cefalù. After a comfortable scenic drive, you'll stroll through cobbled alleys, taste the famous manna and visit the imposing Rocca Ventimiglia, the castle that dominates the valley.
The experience culminates at the peaceful Abbazia Sant'Anastasia, a former Benedictine monastery converted into an organic winery. Between centuries-old walls and oak barrels, you'll taste three terroir wines paired with local olive oil bruschette and Sicilian cheeses.
- Book your place and forget the car: transport included.
- Taste signature wines in a unique historical setting
- Enjoy free time for gourmet shopping and postcard photos
What’s included
- Round-trip air-conditioned minibus transfer Cefalù ⇄ Castelbuono
- Accompanying guide in Spanish (English and French available)
- Free time in Castelbuono for sightseeing and shopping.
- Tasting of 3 organic wines with bruschette, cheese and olive oil
Step by Step
You will leave Cefalù at mid-morning in an air-conditioned minibus for the green slopes of the Madonie. During the ascent, your guide will share anecdotes about the Normans and the production of manna, the sweet sap that has made Castelbuono famous. Upon arrival, you will have time to explore Piazza Margherita, enter the mother church or savour a freshly made cannolo while the bell tower strikes the hour.
At the top of the village stands the Rocca Ventimiglia: its sandstone roofs conceal Renaissance frescoes and a palatial chapel dedicated to St. Anne, patron saint venerated throughout Sicily. After the panoramic photos, the tour continues to the Abbazia Sant'Anastasia. The aroma of must and wood greets you in the barrel room, where the sommelier explains the estate's biodynamic philosophy. You'll taste a crystal-fresh Grillo white, a Nero d'Avola with notes of red fruits and an elegant oak-aged cuvée, each accompanied by bruschette, pecorino and olives from the estate itself.
With your senses awakened, you'll have a few minutes to stroll through the vineyards, purchase oil, chestnut honey or bottles signed by the winemaker. The return to Cefalù takes place among olive groves and views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, arriving in the early afternoon with the memory of a corner of Sicily where time seems to have stood still.
