Think local volcanic wines, a vineyard tour, generous Sicilian food pairings and incredible views over Lipari at sunset. Sounds pretty dreamy huh? Here’s what the experience was actually like and everything worth knowing before you go.
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If you are looking for something a little different to do in Lipari besides beaches, boat tours, and three-hour-long seafood lunches, a visit to Tenuta di Castellaro is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
We visited during our stay on the island and booked the Sunset wine tasting experience, one of the winery’s sunset aperitivo tastings. It ended up being one of our favorite evenings in the Aeolian Islands because it captured a side of Lipari that many visitors never really see, quieter, slower, and much more connected to the landscape of the island itself.
A Different Side of Lipari
Most people experience Lipari through the harbor area, busy streets, restaurants, crowded beach clubs, and so on. That energy is part of what makes the island fun in summer, but one thing I really appreciated about visiting Tenuta di Castellaro is how quickly the atmosphere changes once you leave town.
The winery is located in the hills above Lipari, surrounded by vineyards and volcanic landscape. The drive there is already part of the experience and as you move away from the port, the roads become wilder, and the views open up over the sea and surrounding islands.
We arrived in the late afternoon, just before sunset, and the timing was ideal. The light at that hour completely changes the landscape: The vineyards, hills, and coastline all start glowing in warm colors, and the entire area feels calm compared to the busier parts of the island below.
What Makes Tenuta di Castellaro Special
There are many wine tastings in Italy, but what makes this one stand out is the setting and the connection to the Aeolian Islands themselves. The winery combines modern architecture with the surrounding volcanic landscape in a way that feels very natural. It looks refined, but not overly polished, and everything feels designed to highlight the scenery.
The wines are also closely tied to the island environment. The vineyards grow in volcanic soil with constant exposure to sea breeze and Mediterranean sun, and you can notice how different the wines taste compared to wines from mainland Sicily or other regions of Italy. Even if you are not an expert, the tasting becomes interesting because the wines feel very specific to this place.
Another thing we loved was the atmosphere. Sometimes wine experiences can feel overly technical or formal, especially if you do not know much about wine. Here, the staff explained everything in an approachable way.
Our Experience: Sunset wine tasting
We chose the Brindisi al Sole experience mainly because it took place around sunset, and I would definitely recommend doing the same if possible.
The experience starts with a brief guided tour of the winery, followed by a short walk through the vineyards. This was actually one of the parts I enjoyed most because it gives you a much better understanding of the landscape and how closely the wines are tied to the volcanic environment of Lipari.
After the tour, everyone gathers together to wait for sunset with a first glass of wine in hand. The atmosphere felt social and relaxed, not overly formal. Some people were couples like us, others were groups of friends, and everyone seemed to settle naturally.
The tasting then continued on the terrace overlooking the vineyards and sea, where we were served two additional glasses of wine paired with a selection of local products.
The food pairing included:
- homemade bread with extra virgin olive oil from Mount Etna
- cold cuts and cheeses from the Nebrodi area and the Aeolian Islands
- crostini with organic patè
- traditional local vegetables
- Malvasia delle Lipari (my favourite sweet wine!) served with artisanal sesame biscuits to finish
End the day the right way. One of the most beautiful experiences in a Tenuta. Local wines, golden hour light, and views over the water. A perfect closer after a day of island exploring.
The Wines
The wines were delicious and clearly reflected the volcanic environment of the islands. During the tasting, we tried several local wines while learning more about the grape varieties and production methods used by the winery. The explanations stayed accessible throughout, so even casual wine drinkers could easily follow along and enjoy the experience.
Many of the wines had a noticeable freshness and minerality that worked especially well in the warm evening setting. Sitting outside with a glass of local wine while overlooking the vineyards fits the atmosphere of the Aeolian Islands just perfectly.
The final tasting of Malvasia delle Lipari DOC together with sesame biscuits was, of course, my favourite part and felt very connected to local Sicilian tradition. What I liked most is that the tasting never felt pretentious. It felt more like discovering a local product connected to the landscape around you rather than attending a formal wine class.
More Than Just a Wine Tasting
One thing worth mentioning is that this experience appeals to more than only wine enthusiasts. Of course, if you already enjoy wine, you will probably appreciate the tasting even more. But the overall experience is really about spending an evening in one of the most beautiful settings on the island. It is just as much about the atmosphere, scenery and slower pace as it is about the wine itself.
That combination makes it one of the more memorable activities in Lipari, especially if you want a break from the more typical tourist rhythm.
Other Experiences at Tenuta di Castellaro
Although we personally did the Brindisi al Sole experience, the winery offers several other tours and tastings as well.
These include:
- Guided vineyard tours and light lunch
- Picnic sunset experiences
- More in-depth wine tastings
Some experiences focus more heavily on wine production and the history of the vineyards, while others are designed more around the social and scenic aspect of the visit.
If you are particularly interested in wine, one of the longer guided tastings could be worth considering. If you mainly want a relaxed evening with great views and good wine, the sunset experiences are probably the best choice.
Practical Information
A shuttle service is also available for visitors who do not want to drive up to the winery themselves.
- Shuttle bus: €15 round trip per person
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +39 345 434 2755
Especially if you are planning to fully enjoy the wine tasting, the shuttle can be a very convenient option.
Is It Worth Visiting?
Definitely.
There are many beautiful places in the Aeolian Islands, but this experience stands out because it combines several things at once: scenery, local wine, a relaxed atmosphere and a different perspective on Lipari.
For us, it became one of those evenings that balanced everything people hope for in the Aeolian Islands, beautiful landscape, good food and wine, warm weather and a pace that encourages you to slow down and enjoy where you are.
Tips Before You Go
Book ahead
Especially during summer, sunset experiences can fill up quickly.
Visit around sunset
The timing makes a big difference. The views become much more impressive during golden hour.
Consider the Shuttle Service
The roads up to the winery are manageable, but if you prefer not to drive after wine tasting, the round-trip shuttle is a very practical option.
Don’t forget a jacket
Most people wear casual but slightly elegant evening clothes. And it gets chillier later at night, so don’t forget to bring something warmer.
