2027

WOMEN IN WINE : SICILY

Across the ancient Mediterranean, women were at the heart of fermentation, brewing, and winemaking. Yet as wine became tied to land, trade, and status, it turned into a male-dominated pursuit, and the women who stayed were often written out of the story: the wife running the cellar, the widow keeping an estate alive. That erasure is exactly why the women who broke through deserve to be celebrated loudly. The story of women in wine is still being written. The best way to support it is to drink it. That's why my wine partner, Valerie Quintanilla, and I are launching an annual Women in Italian Wine journey — all-female, small-group trips blending wine with art, history, and food. 2026 takes us to Piedmont, home of Barolo and truffles.

THE EXPERIENCE

Come experience the wines, agriculture and history of southeastern Sicily!
Join us as we base out of a luxury villa near the charming Baroque village of Scicli in southeastern Sicily. When we are not touring vineyards and orchards we will have time to relax by the villa’s pool or swim in the Mediterranean sea that is only 10 minutes from our villa.

Women in Wine 2027 Experience : Eastern Sicily

September 13-20, 2027

This group trip is currently SOLD OUT. To plan your own bespoke trip, inquire.

$10,500

Rolling green hills covered with vineyard rows under a partly cloudy sky.
Person's hand picking up irregularly shaped, brown truffles on a checkered cloth in a wooden tray.

Proposed Highlights

Coastal boat day to explore the landscape and history of the area

Day trips to Noto, Vittoria, Ragusa & the famous volcano, Etna

Agricultural experiences from citrus, 

and wine to pistachios and olive oil

Private chef dinners at the villa

Explore the famed Sicilian Baroque architecture of neighboring towns. 

The week will intentionally alternate fuller touring days with lighter days meant to enjoy the villa, its gardens and pool or explore the nearby seaside

An elderly woman smiling and holding a tray of dry, yellow pasta outdoors on a wooden deck, with green bushes and trees in the background.
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A plate with eight different types of cheese arranged in a circle, and a jar of honey on the side with a blue and white label, on a white surface.
Close-up of three vintage wine bottles inside a wooden shelf, with weathered labels indicating they are Barolo wine from Italy.
Rusty metal tools and objects being arranged on a rusty surface by someone wearing black gloves.

Are the dates you wanted to book unavailable? Join our waitlist.

*Please note, the final itinerary will be sent 60 days prior to our departure.

To fully enjoy our time together you should be in good physical condition and comfortable with the following:

* guests should be able to walk or stand for several hours every day. We take breaks and have lunch but my trips involve a lot of walking. You must feel sure footed on cobbled streets and uneven pavements. If taxis are required due to physical limitations please understand this is the financial responsibility of the client.

* guests will have porter help with your luggage at hotels upon arrival and departure but should be able to manage your luggage until porters arrive which sometimes can mean getting your luggage to a central area of pick up.

MEET OUR WINE & EVENTS SPECIALIST

A woman with curly red hair and sunglasses stands in a vineyard, holding a glass of red wine and smelling it. She wears a light blouse and dark pants, with a scenic vineyard background.

Valerie Quintanilla, Piedmont Wine & Events Specialist

Valerie Quintanilla traded the Rockies for the Alps when she left Denver for a life among the vines in Barolo. What started as a wine-soaked hobby (and a cheeky expat blog) turned into a full-time gig designing custom travel experiences across Italy—with Piedmont as her home base and wine as her compass.

Since 2013, Valerie’s been connecting curious travelers with the people, places, and flavors that make Italy unforgettable. From garage winemakers and goat cheese producers to Michelin-starred chefs, she curates the kinds of stories and moments that go far beyond the guidebooks.

Equal parts wine nerd and logistics queen, she’s your insider for all things delicious, local, and off-the-radar—and probably the reason you’ll want to come back to Italy again (and again).

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • 6 nights single occupancy in 5 & 4 star hotel accommodations

  • Most meals are included in this itinerary. Free dinners/lunches will be explained in the final itinerary

  • All guided tours, cultural experiences, museum and other entries

  • All local transportation as pertains to the program

  • Gratuities for drivers and guides during included touring (extra is at your discretion)

  • Transport to your departure can be arranged at the client’s expense.

  • All accommodations as detailed in the itinerary. Riccio can arrange higher category accommodation upgrades, subject to availability.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

  • International airfare to and from Italy, as well as any applicable visa fees, border charges, or local tourism taxes

  • Airport arrival and departure transfers

  • Premium beverages, such as cocktails, and additional wine

  • Optional excursions, personal purchases, and spa or wellness treatments

  • Gratuities for airport transfers, porters, and housekeeping staff

  • Required trip insurance

  • Expenses related to itinerary changes due to circumstances beyond our control, including flight delays, cancellations, or natural events

WHY TRAVEL TO TURIN & PIEDMONT WITH US?

  • Intimate Group Size – Limited to small groups for meaningful access and a relaxed, enriching pace

  • Beautifully Curated – Every stop, guide, and experience chosen for its authenticity and soul

  • Unmatched Access – Boutique style with insider perspective, far from the crowds

Ischia, Italy

There are still lesser-known corners of Italy that offer travelers that special feeling of discovering a hidden gem — a place that’s not teeming with crowds or souvenir shops. On Ischia - a volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples - you will find a dreamy version of the Mediterranean the way it used to be. 

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