Planeta is not just one winery, but many. The exhilarating journey begins at Sambuca di Sicilia, on an estate the Planeta family has owned since the 1600s. Here, three enthusiastic young Sicilians – Alessio, Francesca and Santi Planeta – began their winemaking venture in the mid-1980s. The trio spent subsequent years matching the extraordinarily diverse Sicilian soils with both indigenous and international grape varieties. The result? A family of critically-acclaimed wines that demonstrate how brilliance can be attained through the thoughtful marriage between grape variety and terroir.

Sambuca di Sicilia

The Planeta family’s first winery, Ulmo, is situated on the banks of the Arancio Lake in Sambuca di Sicilia. This area’s deep chalky soil has proven ideal for the cultivation of Planeta’s great white wines – Chardonnay and Cometa (from the Fiano grape).

Menfi

Menfi, in the southeastern portion of Sicily, is the heart of Planeta and its operational base. Various types of soil are found here, but all are rich in lime and clay, ideal for the international red grape varieties which are transformed into wine at La Dispensa winery – Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The family’s newest winery, La Segreta, is also located in Menfi. The Planeta winemaking expertise has been lavished upon this facility to ensure wines of the very best quality, a Bianco and Rosso sold under the La Segreta label.

Vittoria

Alessio, Francesca and Santi traveled to Vittoria in southeastern Sicily in search of one of the most unmistakable wines, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, currently the only D.O.C.G in Sicily. Here, they established the Planeta farmhouse at Dorilli.

Noto

Over the last few years the Planetas have become enchanted by another great district, Noto. They purchased 60 hectares (151 acres) in the Contrada Buonivini, such a delightfully unspoiled location that they decided to preserve it by building an ‘invisible winery’ which is completely underground. Soils of lime and tufa content characterize the district. Nero d’Avola (for Planeta Santa Cecilia) and Moscato di Noto have their origins in this land.

The future

No journey through Sicily is complete without traveling to the volcano which has no equal, Etna. In 2006, Alessio, Francesca and Santi acquired an estate in this region and are set to embark upon a fascinating new challenge in grape growing and winemaking. Francesa Planeta reflects, "We have a great deal to learn, but isn’t that the reason for undertaking any journey?"