Vino Volcanico | no. 2
a Sicilian wine week with The Cheeky Chef on the island of Pantelleria
— SOLD OUT—
ISOLA DI PANTELLERIA, SICILIA - ITALIA
Launching my first all-female trip!
Perfect for friends, couples, mamma-daughter duos, sisters, and solo travelers!
Discover “the black pearl” of the Mediterranean on our Vino Volcanico wine-lovers trip to Pantelleria. Take a look beyond Mount Etna to a whole other chapter in the history of Sicilian winemaking!
Chef Linda Sarris will lead our small group of guests on a whirlwind of flavors from wild mountain herbs and freshly made tuma cheese to seasonal meals featuring capers, wild fennel, and local seafood. Learn about the world of passito as well as traditional and natural winemaking techniques from the island.
Our 5-day adventure will include family meals together and daily excursions around the island. Follow the grapes from their volcanic soils and terraced vineyards to the cantina with our professional guided tours and tastings. There will be plenty of time to soak up the magic each night with relaxing dinners together at our dammusi houses overlooking the sea!
SAMPLE PROGRAM | all activities/excursions, tastings, and meals listed in the itinerary are included in the cost for this trip. Airfare is NOT included.
5-night dammusi accommodations at Le Case del Principe Pantelleria
local transportation provided for excursions included in the itinerary
3 vineyard visits with lunch + tastings
visit to a local caper producer
1 restaurant lunch
daily breakfasts
visit to a traditional giardino pantesco lava stone walled garden
light hike and picnic in Pantelleria’s national park mountains
communal dinners prepared by The Cheeky Chef
relaxing dip in the island’s natural hot springs + free time to swim in our semi-private beach cove, weather permitting
round-trip airport transfers from the Pantelleria island airport PNL to the dammusi houses
ACCOMMODATIONS | Le Case del Principe Pantelleria
Le Case del Principe are tucked away on a private area of the northwest coast, only 6km from the town center and 3km from the island's airport. These houses were built in the 1970's by Prince Paolo Sallier de La Tour and his wife Costanza, who created this little oasis of peace and relaxation in the place they loved. Our location is one of the only on the entire island where you have direct access down to the sea, just outside of your doorstep.
We have seven traditional stone "dammusi", each far enough from the others to ensure its own privacy and silence. Each of our dammusi rental homes are fully equipped with a kitchen and a large terrace overlooking the sea. Our houses are simply furnished with a tasteful island style to make your stay as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Every house has a spacious terrace equipped with a dining table, chairs and deck-chairs, an outdoor shower and a barbecue.
Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed with a basket of fresh fruit and a bottle of our family wine (Sallier de La Tour – Tasca d’Almerita). Every bedroom is set up with bed linens and bath towels.
SOLD OUT | Send a request for the waitlist or updates for the next Vino Volcanico program | thecheekychef@gmail.com
ABOUT | The Cheeky Chef
Linda Sarris is a private chef from New York City, now working in Palermo. She started her cooking career with an internship at the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School in Sicily right after graduating from The French Culinary Institute. Known best as The Cheeky Chef, she splits her time between cooking for female CEOs in New York, traveling for culinary/wellness retreats, and working as a food/travel consultant here in Sicily. Linda’s first book was published in April 2022 with the Hachette Book Group in the USA and the second book is currently in the works.
“I surprised my husband with a trip to Pantelleria with Linda on the 2021 Vino Volcano tour. We were absolutely thrilled with everything Linda planned for us, and had the absolute time of our lives. Before we even reached Italy, Linda was so helpful with answering any questions I had. Once we got to Pantelleria, we were absolutely stunned by the beautiful black pearl of the mediterranean! The views from our Dammusi were incredible, and we felt very cozy and comfortable in the beautiful Dammuso Antico. Linda planned a great mix of activities and relaxation - it felt different from other vacations, as we were able to use her expansive contacts on the island to truly understand how the locals live, and get a behind-the-scenes tour of gorgeous local vineyards, restaurants, and natural wonders like hot springs and parks. Beyond her planning skills, she’s a fantastic chef - everything she made for our communal dinners was delicious and fresh, and we loved all the little surprises she worked into the trip. We left feeling fulfilled and refreshed. and can’t wait to come back. Thank you Linda!”