BENANTI PRESENTS "WINE & CULTURE 2026": TENUTA MONTE SERRA'S HOSPITALITY TELLS THE STORY OF ETNA

At the foot of Etna, among historic vineyards, rural architecture and itineraries dedicated to the culture of wine, Benanti presents “Vino & Cultura 2026” , the hospitality project of Tenuta Monte Serra , in Viagrande, designed to welcome visitors.

A leading winemaker on Etna for over thirty years, Benanti has built a hospitality model that interprets wine as an expression of the territory and a tool for knowledge . Tenuta Monte Serra, located on the southeastern slope of the volcano, hosts daily guided experiences dedicated to discovering the Contrade dell'Etna DOC, the native grape varieties, and the production culture that characterizes the Etna area.

" In our opinion ," emphasizes Salvino Benanti , " wine should be considered a crucial piece of a larger mosaic that also includes good food, art, culture, nature, conviviality, and emotion. At Monte Serra, we strive to offer all of this, offering a memorable multisensory experience. We want to create spontaneous and enthusiastic Ambassadors of Etna wines, who will speak to the world about the beauty of these places and the elegance of our wines ."

The "Wine & Culture" project offers tours and tastings divided into four different formats, designed to provide a complete immersion in the Etna terroir, the history, and the winery's production philosophy.

Upon arriving at Tenuta Monte Serra, guests are welcomed by the winery's team of sommeliers, local professionals with international training gained at institutions such as WSET, AIS, and FIS, and accompanied on a discovery of the wines' origins, starting from the Monte Serra vineyard, nestled on the slopes of the ancient volcanic cone from which it takes its name . Here, precious centuries-old ungrafted vines still survive, testifying to the historic Etna viticulture tradition at Benanti.

The tour continues inside the spectacular 18th-century Palmento , one of the most impressive and best-preserved on Etna, now reinterpreted as a space dedicated to the memory and culture of the area's winemaking. The itinerary continues in the Sala dei Quadri , a space restored with great aesthetic attention, where Italian design elements interact with oil paintings from the Benanti family's private collection .

The experience finally leads to the wine cellar , where you'll learn about the maturation stages of the winery's prized red wines. The tour concludes with guided tastings, held in the estate's historic rooms or in the outdoor spaces overlooking the vineyards, featuring food pairings inspired by local cuisine and created by the estate's resident chefs, professionals with experience at prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants.

The experiences, shared with other guests or, upon request, as an exclusive package, are divided into: Selezione Benanti , with a tour of the estate and a tasting of four wines from the “Tradizionali” and “Selezione Contrade” lines, paired with a selection of gastronomic specialties; Selezione Benanti “Contrade” , an in-depth journey dedicated to the different sides of the Etna DOC, with a tasting of five wines from the “Selezione Contrade” and a contemporary lunch to match; Selezione Benanti “Premium” , a complete experience with a tasting of five labels – including the Etna Bianco Superiore Pietra Marina, an authentic icon of the area – followed by lunch (aperitif, selection of appetizers, first course, dessert); Selezione Benanti “Iconic” , a food and wine itinerary dedicated to the company's historic and most representative wines, with a tasting of five iconic labels and a five-course lunch.

A key aspect of the offering is the focus on personalized experiences, with the option of planning exclusive experiences for private events, corporate meetings, and incentives, and experiencing Tenuta Monte Serra in privacy, with tailor-made services and dedicated support in organizing the setup, catering, and tastings.

The “Wine & Culture” experiences, bookable at www.visit.benanti.it, are available in Italian and English (other languages upon request) and take place every day – except Mondays – by reservation only.

And yet, alongside the cellar experiences, Benanti has developed other offerings designed to broaden the concept of hospitality.

" Benanti Wine & Cook " was created with the aim of uniting the stories of the Etna region with Sicilian cuisine through an immersive experience that directly engages guests. The journey begins with the "Selezione Benanti Contrade" formula; guests then participate in a cooking class or demonstration dedicated to Sicilian street food , led by the estate's resident chefs. The experience allows them to come into contact with ingredients, preparations, and recipes linked to the local gastronomic culture, in an ongoing dialogue with Benanti wines. The dishes prepared during the activity are then integrated into the tasting experience, with pairings designed to enhance the aromatic and structural characteristics of the wines being tasted.

With “SOMM-at-HOME & SOMM-on-BOARD,” Benanti takes the tasting experience outside of Tenuta Monte Serra , bringing it directly to private residences, yachts, and locations selected by guests . The format is designed for an audience seeking a highly exclusive and completely customizable service, tailored to participants' preferences. Tastings are led by a sommelier from the winery, who guides guests through a journey through Benanti's wines, from the most representative selections to rare vintages. The winery also provides professional glasses and oversees the entire technical organization of the experience, with the option of including a personal chef service and specially designed culinary itineraries. Every detail is tailored, from wine selection to the creation of food pairings, transforming each appointment into a high-profile, private experience.

To complete its leisure hospitality offering, Benanti offers "Benanti Day," which allows guests to experience the Tenuta Monte Serra estate in a relaxed and private setting. Guests have access to the pool area and dedicated services, including changing rooms, lounges, deckchairs, and towels, spending the entire day immersed in the vineyard landscape of Mount Etna. The experience includes a welcome wine, snacks, and an informal lunch featuring cold dishes inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. Throughout the day, guests can also order wines and beverages directly poolside, keeping the connection with the winery's oenological identity at the heart of the experience. Designed for small groups or for exclusive use of the property, "Benanti Day" represents a new interpretation of winery hospitality, focused on well-being, privacy, and the quality of time spent on the estate.

With this diverse program of experiences, Benanti reaffirms its vision of hospitality as a vehicle for storytelling and sharing, transforming every visit into an imaginative journey, capable of conveying the style and essence of this precious reality.