Planeta is one of the most celebrated and consistently awarded wine estates in Sicily — a family with roots in the island’s wine culture stretching back to the 1600s, and a modern winery built on a rigorous, site-specific approach to matching grape varieties to terroir that has earned it some of Italy’s most coveted critical recognition. At Fareham Wine Cellar, we stock a carefully selected range of Planeta wines, including their flagship Planeta Chardonnay from Menfi — one of the finest Chardonnays produced anywhere in southern Italy and a wine we find ourselves returning to year after year for its consistency, character, and value.
The Planeta family has owned vineyards in Sambuca di Sicilia since the 1600s. Still, the modern Planeta wine estate was created in the mid-1980s when cousins Alessio, Francesca, and Santi Planeta set out with a bold ambition: to systematically assess Sicily’s extraordinary diversity of soil types and microclimates, then plant both international and indigenous grape varieties in the sites best suited to each. It was a rigorous, scientific approach to an island that had long been underestimated — and the results have vindicated it comprehensively.
Today, Planeta holds one of the largest collections of Tre Bicchieri awards from the Gambero Rosso — Italy’s most prestigious wine guide — of any Sicilian producer. They make compelling wines from international varieties including Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah, and equally impressive wines from indigenous Sicilian grapes including Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Fiano, and Grecanico. Few estates in Italy demonstrate so clearly that a commitment to terroir and diversity pays dividends in the glass.
One of the things that makes Planeta genuinely unusual among Italian producers is the breadth of their estate holdings. Rather than focusing on a single site, they have built a portfolio of five distinct estates across Sicily, each chosen for its unique combination of soil, altitude, and microclimate:
The ancestral Planeta home in the north-west of the island, surrounded by over 94 hectares of vineyards. This is where Planeta’s finest white wines are made, including the Chardonnay and the celebrated Cometa Fiano — wines that have put Sicilian white wine on the international map.
Planeta has two wineries in Menfi in the south-west of Sicily: the Cantina Piccola, dedicated to wines from international varieties, and the Cantina Grande, which produces the Planeta La Segreta range. The Planeta Chardonnay is produced here from the estate’s 321-acre Dispensa vineyard.
Acquired in 1998, the 51-hectare Noto estate in the south-eastern province of Syracuse produces the acclaimed Santa Cecilia DOC Nero d’Avola and one of Sicily’s most celebrated dessert wines, the Passito di Noto DOC.
The vineyards at Dorilli, surrounding a 100-year-old farmhouse, are planted exclusively with Nero d’Avola and Frappato on fine red sandy soils close to the sea — the combination that produces Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Sicily’s only DOCG appellation and one of the island’s most individual red wines.
Planeta’s most dramatic estate sits on the northern slopes of Mount Etna at 870 metres above sea level, in the Sciara Nuova district, where mineral-rich volcanic soils produce wines of extraordinary character from Carricante (white) and Nerello Mascalese (red) — two of Sicily’s most distinctive indigenous varieties.
Of all the Planeta wines we stock, the Planeta Chardonnay from Menfi is the one we find ourselves recommending most consistently — a wine that year after year delivers at a level well above its price point. It is, without question, a serious contender for the finest Chardonnay produced in Sicily.
A rich, generous Chardonnay with the warmth of the Sicilian sun balanced by the freshness of careful winemaking. On the nose, ripe peach, mango, and citrus are lifted by a vanilla and toasted hazelnut note from the French oak ageing. The palate is full-bodied and textured, with a creamy, rounded mouthfeel and a long, persistent finish that speaks of both varietal character and genuine winemaking craft. A white wine with the substance to accompany serious food.
We currently stock the following Planeta wines and products:
Sicily has undergone a transformation in the last three decades that is one of the most dramatic stories in Italian wine. From an island historically associated with bulk wine production and anonymous blending, it has emerged as one of Italy’s most exciting and diverse quality wine regions — and Planeta has been at the centre of that transformation from the very beginning.
The combination of Sicily’s ancient indigenous varieties, its extraordinary diversity of terroirs (from volcanic Etna soils to the sandy coastal plains of Vittoria), and the technical ambition of producers like Planeta has produced wines that now routinely compete with the finest of northern Italy. For buyers looking for the quality of a great Italian white at a price that still feels fair, Planeta Chardonnay is one of the most persuasive bottles currently available.
Where is Planeta Winery located?
Planeta operates five estates across Sicily: Sambuca di Sicilia, Menfi, Noto, Vittoria, and Etna. The family’s ancestral home is at Sambuca di Sicilia in the northwest of the island, but each estate produces distinctly different wines that reflect the diversity of Sicilian terroir.
What is Planeta Chardonnay like?
Planeta Chardonnay from Menfi is a rich, full-bodied, barrel-fermented Chardonnay with ripe peach and mango fruit, a creamy texture from lees ageing, and a toasted hazelnut note from French oak. It is generous and structured, with the weight to accompany serious food and the freshness to avoid feeling heavy.
Is Planeta Chardonnay good value?
Yes — Planeta Chardonnay consistently punches above its price point and is frequently cited as one of the finest-value barrel-fermented Chardonnays available from any Italian producer. Its track record of Tre Bicchieri awards from the Gambero Rosso confirms its critical standing.
What food pairs with Planeta Chardonnay?
The wine’s richness and texture make it an excellent match for grilled lobster, roast chicken, pasta with cream or truffle, risotto, and mature soft cheeses. Its Sicilian character also makes it a natural partner for Mediterranean fish dishes — branzino, tuna, and swordfish all work beautifully.
Does Fareham Wine Cellar stock other Planeta wines?
Yes — alongside the Chardonnay, we also stock Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG and Planeta Extra Virgin Olive Oil. If you are looking for a specific Planeta expression not shown on our website, please contact us on 01329 822733 and we will do our best to source it for you.
