The historic cellars of the Florio vintners of Marsala (Sicily) throw open their doors to visitors as part of the annual Open Cellars event. Special treats include the new 4D cinema recounting the story of wine, tastings of world famous wine brands Corvo and Duca di Salaparuta, which are part of the Florio Group, and a sunset drink on the Florio Terrace, where you can enjoy one of the finest views in Sicily.
The cellar was founded by Vincenzo Florio in 1833 and originally produced the sweet, fortified Marsala wine. According to tradition, this wine was discovered by English mercant John Woodhouse, who launched it on the British market in 1773, after he found that the traditional in perpetuum method improved the flavour and preserved the wine on the long sea journeys. Marsala became very popular and was the first wine in Italy to be classified DOC.
Florio also employs a Hospitality Team which organizes events among the gigantic rows of barrels full of sleeping wine, such as guided tours, private parties, business meetings, musical and cultural events and wedding receptions.
The city of Marsala is also celebrated for the Garibaldi Landing on the 11th June 1860, when Giuseppe Garibaldi's Mille (thousand volunteers) embarked on the coast at the beginning of the Unification of Italy campaign. The Civic Museum in the town preserves interesting documentation of the Red Shirts campaign.
www.duca.it/cantinaflorio www.movimentoturismovino.it