Island of wine: the vine and Zibibbo

On this island suspended between sky and sea, the land is the main protagonist.

Pantelleria is a volcanic structure - an essential element that makes the wines of this territory unique in the world. Why? Thanks to its magmatic properties, the wines acquire a complex aromatic profile, with savory and mineral notes that enhance their freshness and persistence on the palate.

The lava stone absorbs and retains moisture, yet provides excellent drainage, preventing waterlogging. This controlled water stress encourages a concentration of sugars and aromas - crucial especially for producing certain wines, like Passito.

The lava stone terraces capture and hold moisture but allow excess water to run off. This controlled water stress concentrates sugars and aromas, essential for certain wines—above all, Passito.

Top Wine Spots in Pantelleria

Piana Ghirlanda Known as Pantelleria’s agricultural garden, the Piana della Ghirlanda (in Pantesco, u Chiánu dā Ghirlánna) is an ancient volcanic caldera floor, leveled by alluvial events. Enclosed by rocky walls and wild vegetation, this basin experiences strong temperature swings between day and night—perfect for cultivating Zibibbo, which here ripens slowly, concentrating its fragrances and sugars. Pantelleria’s wine draws its bold, profound character from this place. The name likely comes from the Gerlando family name, present on the island in the 18th century.

Mueggen e Bukkuram Agricultural zones inland, far from the sea yet immersed in the heart of the rural island. Here the vine grows low to the ground, using the alberello pantesco (bush vine) technique - an UNESCO Heritage practice. The landscapes are gentle and open, with vistas that seem lifted from a storybook.

Giardino Pantesco of Donnafugata A living monument to the island’s agricultural ingenuity, the Pantesco garden is much more than a structure: it’s a small universe designed to nurture life where wind scorches and water is scarce. The Giardino Pantesco of Donnafugata—donated to FAI (Italian Environment Fund)—is one of the best preserved and visitor-friendly examples. Inside, a single citrus tree, protected by a circular dry-stone wall over two meters high, finds shelter from wind, sun, and salt spray. These gardens, found especially inland, were often accompanied by a vineyard or vegetable plot, representing a perfect balance of function, aesthetics, and sustainability. Every dry-stone wall tells a story of care and respect: a profound synthesis between human and harsh nature, transformed into a gesture of harmony.

Curiosities and products

Zibibbo, Pantelleria’s emblematic grape variety, has ancient roots: it arrived on the island with the Phoenicians and was perfected by the Arabs, who called it zabīb - the raisin. Today it is much more than a grape: it is the island’s agricultural and cultural heart, recognized by UNESCO for the extraordinary _alberello pantesco _cultivation technique - the only agricultural method listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This technique involves planting the vine in a hole dug into the volcanic soil, bending its branches into a radial shape and protecting it with dry-stone walls: a millennia-old gesture to withstand wind and drought.

From Zibibbo comes the celebrated Passito di Pantelleria DOC: a sweet, full-bodied, amber-hued wine made from grapes naturally dried in the sun. Each bunch is hand-harvested, laid out, and carefully followed step by step. It’s a wine that tells of waiting, made of silence, sun, and slow work. In the glasses of Pantelleria’s wineries, Passito offers a sip of earth and light.

Alongside Passito, don’t miss Moscato di Pantelleria DOC, another aromatic, intense wine that expresses the fresh fragrance of Zibibbo.

Details

• Alberello pantesco: Ancestral agricultural technique, symbol of resilience and harmony with the environment.
• Passito di Pantelleria DOC: Golden, deep, and spicy nectar—fruit of heroic agriculture.
• Moscato di Pantelleria DOC: Aromatic, floral, sun-kissed: the freshest face of Zibibbo.

Experiences to live

Winery visits and tastings

These are not only production centers but cultural strongholds where heroic viticulture has been passed down through generations. Here Zibibbo is grown according to ancient methods, with the UNESCO-recognized alberello technique. Each bunch is hand-harvested, laid out on racks to dry in the sun, and turned into Passito di Pantelleria DOC - the island’s signature wine.

Many wineries open their doors to those who wish to discover this process up close: guiding you among lava terraces, explaining plant care, pruning practices, vinification, and storage. An immersive experience scented with must, salty wind, and ancient lava, to discover the island’s flavors with a glass in hand.

Travel Tips

The seasons guide the vine’s rhythm, and each harvest is a ritual uniting generations.

• August and September are harvest months - the perfect time to witness agriculture in action.

• Check the park’s interactive map to find open wineries, events, and agri-routes.

• Talk to those who work the land: every story is part of Pantelleria’s culture.