In a privileged position between mountain and sea and only 20 minutes away from Catania and Taormina, at the feet of mount Etna, “Le Sciarelle” is the ideal place for relaxing moments of country life, captured from the magic of the colors all around. Wonderful and enjoyable walks in a garden full of Mediterranean aromatic plants which essences remind of a past time.
The name “Le Sciarelle” comes from “sciare”, terraces of lava made from what was originally called “Aetna”, the biggest volcano of Europe. Characterized by forests of chestnuts and pines and by desert in the highest points with snow for several months of the year, on the lower side a very fertile ground ideal for grapes, fruit trees and olives which seem to reach the peak of the volcano “a’ muntagna”.
The microclimate of the area favors a good vegetation and the production of mandarins, clementines, cherries as well as potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli necessary for some typical Sicilian plates especially for “schiacciata” ; eggplants that can’t miss in a good “caponatina”, “cucuzze” long shaped pumpkins, “citrangoli” a particular cucumber for good salads, “fichi d’india” (prickly pears) typical fruit that used to grow on the entire mountain.
In wine cellars of the end of 1700 it’s possible to rediscover, thanks to the hospitability of the owners, old Sicilian plates from precious family recipes.
The old “palmento” one of the oldest of the area is used for wine tastings and it’s also possible to buy the production of the company, oranges, olives and grapes from Castiglione di Sicilia.
The Red Etna Wine Nerello Mascalese, White Wine Insolia and Carricante, and Zibibbo, are part of the wine production of Tenute Mannino di Plachi in the Grape Plantation in Castiglione di Sicilia. Another important product is the Extra-Virgin Oil “DOP Monte Etna”, the best quality of olives in Sicily; Honey of Zagara, marmalades and jams, citrus and vegetables, produced by a company that built its history from the respect of tradition.
