Marsala and Its Wineries

Marsala is the westernmost city of Sicily, on the coast of the Trapani province, and gives its name to the famous fortified wine first commercialised here in 1773 by the English merchant John Woodhouse, who discovered that the local wine, fortified for the sea voyage, travelled and aged superbly and soon rivalled sherry and port across Britain. The city's name derives from the Arabic Marsa Allah, the port of God, a reminder of its long Mediterranean history, and its elegant historic centre, rebuilt in warm baroque stone, centres on the wide Via XI Maggio and the Piazza della Repubblica with its handsome cathedral dedicated to Saint Thomas of Canterbury. The great draw for visitors is the wine: historic cantine such as Florio, Pellegrino, and Donnafugata occupy atmospheric old cellars where vast barrels age the amber wine, and offer tours tracing the production and styles, from dry to sweet, finished with guided tastings, usually by appointment. Beyond wine, the city looks out over the Stagnone lagoon and the salt pans toward the Phoenician island of Mozia, while the Museo Archeologico Lilibeo displays a remarkable reconstructed Carthaginian warship recovered from the sea. A visit of two to three hours suits the old centre and one winery tour, longer to add the lagoon, salt flats, or museum. Mornings are pleasant for the centre and the harbour, while tastings are easily arranged through the day. Marsala makes a relaxed, less touristy base in this corner of western Sicily, pairing naturally with the Trapani salt flats and the road to Mozia.