Koccio Valletta occupies one of the capital's most theatrical addresses: the iconic Santa Lucija steps, carved into the fortification slope between Upper Barrakka Gardens and the waterfront. The venue opened in 2019 as a restaurant and wine bar, inheriting a site that once served as a secondary access route for merchants arriving from the Grand Harbour below. The steps themselves date to the mid-18th century, cut through the limestone escarpment during the Knights' tenure to connect the harbour bastion with the residential quarters above. Today, Koccio anchors the lower end of Valletta's emerging food and wine corridor. The venue's outdoor seating spans three terraced levels, each carved into the natural contour of the fortification wall. Evening service runs continuously from 18:00 through late night, with the terrace filling as the Mediterranean light softens and the harbour begins its nightly illumination cycle. The wine selection leans heavily on Maltese estates—Marsovin, Meridiana, and Delicata feature prominently—but also stocks Italian and French labels chosen for their compatibility with Maltese cuisine. Tastings are structured around four-wine flights, each paired with small plates that reflect the island's culinary vernacular: sun-dried tomatoes, ftira crackers, local cheeselets, capers from Gozo. The wine tour Valletta experience at Koccio operates as a seated tasting rather than a guided walk. Sessions typically run 90 minutes and include a sommelier introduction to Maltese viticulture, which remains small-scale and largely unknown outside the Mediterranean basin. Malta's vineyard area totals under 1,000 hectares, concentrated in the island's southwestern plains where the clay-limestone soil and maritime climate produce wines with minerality and saline finish. Gellewza and Girgentina—indigenous red and white varieties—form the backbone of the local wine identity, though international grapes like Chardonnay and Syrah have gained traction in recent decades. Koccio's position on the steps places visitors midway between Valletta's upper city and the waterfront promenade, with the dome of the Carmelite Church visible above and the ferry terminal's navigation lights visible below. The venue operates seven days a week with no ticketed entry fee, though all wine tastings and dining require advance booking. Sunset arrivals between 18:00 and 20:00 secure the best natural light and harbour views before the terrace lamps take over.