Tasca d'Almerita

Brothers Lucio and Carmelo Mastrogiovanni Tasca, Counts of Almerita, acquired the Regaleali estate in 1830 in the rugged hillside country between Palermo and Caltanissetta, near the small commune of Vallelunga Pratameno. The estate sits at the centre of the island in highland terrain that contrasts sharply with the coastal vineyards then dominating Sicilian production. The Tasca family transformed Regaleali across the 19th and 20th centuries from a mixed agricultural estate into a vineyard-focused operation, and by the mid-20th century the producer had become a reference point for serious Sicilian table wine in an era when most Sicilian production went into bulk and fortified categories. The 1970 launch of Rosso del Conte, the family's flagship Nero d'Avola-based red, signalled Sicily's emerging capacity for premium estate-bottled wine. The current eighth generation, led by Alberto Tasca d'Almerita and his cousins, has driven the estate's expansion into Etna, Salina, Mozia, and Monreale across the past two decades, building a portfolio that mirrors the diversity of Sicilian terroirs.

• Founded 1830 by brothers Lucio and Carmelo Mastrogiovanni Tasca, Counts of Almerita, on the Regaleali estate near Vallelunga Pratameno
• Transformed across the 19th and 20th centuries from mixed agriculture into a vineyard-focused operation in central Sicily's highland country
• Rosso del Conte first vintage 1970: signalled Sicily's emerging capacity for premium estate-bottled red wine and pioneered the modern Nero d'Avola category
• Eighth-generation Tasca family ownership today; cousins Alberto Tasca d'Almerita and family members lead operations across the multi-estate portfolio

The Tasca portfolio spans five distinct Sicilian terroirs. Regaleali in central Sicily remains the historic heart: approximately 500 hectares total with 350+ hectares of vineyards spread across the highland slopes at 400-700 metres elevation, planted on clay and limestone bedrock that yields wines with notable freshness and acidity for the latitude. Tascante on the northern slope of Mount Etna covers 21 hectares acquired in 2007, with vineyards on the volcanic black soils that define the Etna DOC, planted to Nerello Mascalese for red and Carricante for white production. Capofaro on the Aeolian island of Salina was acquired in 2001 and covers approximately 12 acres of Malvasia di Lipari for the IGP Salina sweet wine bottling; the family sold the Capofaro resort property in late 2024 but retained the vineyards. Whitaker on the islet of Mozia near Marsala is a biodynamic Grillo project on a historically significant Phoenician archaeological site. Sallier de la Tour in the Monreale DOC near Palermo extends the family footprint to the Palermo hillside zone.

• Regaleali (central Sicily): ~500 hectares total with 350+ hectares of vineyards at 400-700m elevation on clay and limestone bedrock
• Tascante (Etna): 21 hectares on northern Etna's volcanic soils, acquired 2007; Nerello Mascalese for red and Carricante for white
• Capofaro (Salina): ~12 acres of Malvasia di Lipari for IGP Salina sweet wine; acquired 2001, vineyards retained after resort sale late 2024
• Whitaker (Mozia) and Sallier de la Tour (Monreale DOC): biodynamic Grillo project on Phoenician archaeological site and Palermo-zone red and white production

Tasca d'Almerita built its modern reputation on quality estate-bottled production of indigenous Sicilian varieties at a time when most of the island's wine went into bulk markets. The Regaleali style emphasises freshness and acidity from highland elevation, with Inzolia, Catarratto, and Grecanico for whites and Nero d'Avola, Perricone, and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds. The flagship Rosso del Conte is a Nero d'Avola-based blend with small percentages of Perricone and other varieties from selected old-vine parcels, aged in French oak for approximately 18 months. Nozze d'Oro, the estate's signature white, blends Inzolia with the Tasca family's own selection of Sauvignon Blanc (Sauvignon Tasca). Tascante production on Etna follows the volcanic appellation's traditional style: Nerello Mascalese for red Etna Rosso bottlings showing the variety's characteristic ash, smoke, and red-fruit profile; Carricante for Etna Bianco showing volcanic minerality and saline freshness. Capofaro Malvasia is produced as a still or lightly sweet IGP Salina wine reflecting the Aeolian island's volcanic and maritime character.

• Regaleali style: highland elevation (400-700m) drives freshness and acidity in both indigenous whites (Inzolia, Catarratto, Grecanico) and reds (Nero d'Avola, Perricone)
• Rosso del Conte: Nero d'Avola-based blend with Perricone from selected old-vine parcels; aged ~18 months in French oak
• Nozze d'Oro signature white: Inzolia plus the family's own Sauvignon Tasca selection of Sauvignon Blanc
• Tascante Etna production: Nerello Mascalese for Etna Rosso DOC showing volcanic ash and smoke; Carricante for Etna Bianco DOC showing saline minerality

Tasca d'Almerita has been a sustainability leader in Sicily for more than two decades. The estate established the SOStain (sustainability) protocol for Sicilian viticulture in collaboration with other producers and the Sicilian regional administration, and the Whitaker biodynamic Grillo project on Mozia funds ongoing viticultural and archaeological research at the Phoenician island site. The family is closely associated with the Assovini Sicilia trade association and has been instrumental in promoting Sicilian quality wine internationally. Rosso del Conte's continuous production since 1970 places it among Sicily's longest-standing premium reds and a benchmark library wine for the central highland Nero d'Avola style. The producer's expansion into Etna with the Tascante project in 2007 came at a pivotal moment in the Etna renaissance and helped legitimise the appellation for serious quality-tier investment by mainland Italian and international producers. The Capofaro acquisition on Salina similarly elevated the profile of Malvasia di Lipari and Aeolian island production in international markets.

• SOStain sustainability protocol for Sicilian viticulture: Tasca d'Almerita co-developed with regional administration and other producers
• Whitaker biodynamic Grillo project on Mozia: funds ongoing viticultural and archaeological research at the Phoenician island site
• Assovini Sicilia leadership: close association with the trade body promoting Sicilian quality wine internationally
• Rosso del Conte continuous production since 1970: benchmark library wine for central highland Nero d'Avola; one of Sicily's longest-standing premium reds

The Regaleali estate near Vallelunga Pratameno welcomes visitors for guided tours and tastings by appointment. The drive from Palermo to Regaleali takes approximately one hour and twenty minutes through the rugged hillside country of central Sicily, offering one of the island's most scenic wine-country routes. Tasting flights at Regaleali typically include the entry-level Regaleali Bianco and Rosso, the Nozze d'Oro signature white, the Lamuri Nero d'Avola, and the flagship Rosso del Conte from library vintages. The Tascante estate on northern Etna at Solicchiata is also open by appointment for tastings focused on Nerello Mascalese and Carricante from the volcanic vineyards. The Capofaro vineyards on Salina remain in the portfolio and visitor information is published through the family's communications channels. The annual Sicilia en Primeur event organised by Assovini Sicilia each spring is a primary commercial showcase for Tasca d'Almerita alongside the broader Sicilian wine trade.

• Regaleali estate (Vallelunga Pratameno): guided tours and tastings by appointment; approximately 80 minutes from Palermo through central Sicily
• Tascante on northern Etna at Solicchiata: tastings focused on Nerello Mascalese and Carricante from the volcanic slope
• Sicilia en Primeur (Assovini Sicilia, each spring): primary commercial showcase for Tasca d'Almerita alongside the broader Sicilian wine trade
• Tasting flights at Regaleali: Regaleali Bianco and Rosso, Nozze d'Oro, Lamuri Nero d'Avola, and library-vintage Rosso del Conte