Il Palmento dei Castagni

A stylishly restored winery oozing character and charm on the flanks of Mount Etna.

Il Palmento dei Castagni, a former winery, has been subtly and intriguingly restored to create a warm, welcoming villa that combines modern design features with evident echoes of its former purpose. Outside, large terraces shaded with vines and wisteria give way to extensive gardens, woods and, hidden from view, a super decked pool area.

Inside: accommodation at Il Palmento dei Castagni is arranged over two interconnecting buildings, a Palmento and a farmhouse, both of which are bursting with original features. There are two floors and a couple of mezzanine levels, all of which add to the intriguing layout. Overall, there are three ‘proper’ double bedrooms and three other rooms that can become the fourth bedroom (depending on your requirements and the make-up of your group), bringing the total occupancy up to eight.

The main entrance takes one into the Palmento, the original wine press room, which features lofty wood-beamed ceilings, a large fireplace and, accessed via steps from a secret door in the floor, a cosy wine cellar. The roomy open-plan space of the wine press is divided into living and dining areas from which one may access the first double bedroom (with an irregular shaped double bed), and a bathroom with shower and sauna. Above the living area is an open mezzanine with twin beds (the first potential fourth bedroom).

Moving back through the Palmento, and passing under the original wooden press itself, a few steps take one up and into the farmhouse’s split-level living area. The upper level is home to a sofa, stairs leading to the first floor and a double-twin bed – the second possible fourth bedroom should you so choose. The super-snug lower level of the living area has vaulted ceilings, lava stone arches, and sink-in sofas surrounding a fireplace. This leads on to a dining area and a well-equipped kitchen with garden views. A couple more steps lead down from here to a shower room and a double bedroom with access to a small terrace leading to the gardens.

Tracing our steps back to the upper level of the living area, we take the stairs up to the first floor, where there is a bathroom with tub (shared with the living room bedroom below if you choose that as your fourth bedroom), and a spacious double bedroom with access to a large shaded terrace with spectacular views and steps leading down to the gardens and terraces. The upstairs double bedroom also has an open mezzanine level furnished with a double bed – the third possible fourth bedroom.

To recap, for your fourth bedroom you may choose one of the following: the mezzanine above the living and dining area in the Palmento (great for teens); the double bed on the upper level of the living room in the farmhouse; or the mezzanine in the first floor double bedroom (great for younger children who need to sleep near their parents).

Outside: Il Palmento dei Castagni boasts extensive terraced grounds, which, in terms of size, could be likened to a private park. The house opens onto a large terrace, offering plenty of shade, a panoramic dining area and lots of space to relax and take in the views. To one side is a well-equipped outdoor kitchen and to the other a large grassy area that's great for playing games, including football, for which goalposts have been provided.

For more relaxing pursuits, you may wish to head below the main terrace and lawn, where there is a fabulous covered Jacuzzi and wellness area with sliding glass doors, air-con, loungers, a little gym, and a BOSE speaker.

The pool, meanwhile, is beautifully situated in a sheltered area about 100m down the hill from the terrace accessed via some steps through the beautiful, terraced grounds. The pool area has a shaded summer house for poolside dining and a children's play area. Next to the pool is a charming copse, perfect for a stroll or just for escaping the heat of the day.

Due to the nature of the property including terraces low walls and several drops around the grounds, children must be supervised at all times.

The number of steps that must be negotiated to get into and around this property might make it unsuitable for people with mobility problems.

You may also wish to know that the pool has a single depth of 1.5m.
Il Palmento dei Castagni is situated on the edge of the authentic village of Sant'Alfio on the eastern side of fascinating Mount Etna. It is the perfect gateway for exploring not only the majestic volcano itself but also the many fascinating towns and villages that populate its slopes.

There are a great number of excellent walks in the area and many very good restaurants, including one which is 2 just minutes away by car.

Coming down from the mountain there are many more discoveries to be made, including Taormina, with its world-renowned Graeco-Roman theatre, the vibrant city of Catania, the Alcantara Gorge and, slightly further afield, Syracuse.

On the coast around Taormina there are many idyllic coves with lidos, while the nearby beaches of Fiumefreddo and Marina di Cottone have received several consecutive Blue Flags, attesting to the cleanliness of the water and their general ecological excellence.

Arrival details will be confirmed by The Thinking Traveller after your villa is confirmed.

The Thinking Traveller can organise transfers and car hire and an agent will be in touch with you once your villa is confirmed.