Tenuta di Fessina was born from a love story. Love again and again for these lands that intrigues, sometimes pushes us to take risks. These risks that lead to the birth of fabulous projects and highlight the best of the territory.
That’s the story of Silvia Mastrelli in Sicily.
She starts in 2006 during a trip on the sides of the Etna, in Rovitello, on the volcano’s Northern side. We are one hour away from Catania’s airport and 40 minutes from Taormina.
She meets a preserved nature, this typical abandoned stone-made farmhouse and vineyards planted between two lava flows which close the land going down towards a grove.
The panorama creates a natural amphitheater. The Muntagna just behind her spits its usual smokes. Many hazel, fruits and olive trees grow on this domain. A seven hectares green oasis that grows 670m high, offering the perfect climate for wine-growing.
Inevitable crush !
After many return trips between Milan and Sicily, she bought the property and the adventure started seriously in 2007.
In addition of her studies and experience in her old vineyard in Tuscany, Silvia surrounded herself with the region’s top oenologists and specialists consultants. She renovated the domaine, while bringing a certain feminine touch in a sector traditionally masculine in this rough climate region.
We must say that the natural environnement evokes relaxation and gentle lifestyle, like there were something feminine already…
Silvia implemented a manual wine-making that is respectful of the local practices. Ten years of hard, passionate and meticulous work to get to these high-quality results.
Tenuta di Fessina is now recognised in the very select world of Italian wines. She produces Erse
(Etna Rosso and Rosato DOC), the Laeneo ( DOC Sicilia), or the multi-awarded Musmeci Rosso ( Etna DOC Riserva ) …
Silvia wants to go even further. She wishes to share her passion and her love of the location with travelling visitor, nature and wine amateurs.
In May 2008 she inaugurated 7 rooms located in the different parts of the tenuta* farmhouse.
The renovation work is amazing, it preserved the place’s soul as well as bringing in the modern comfort.
The lava stone walls meet the fully white contemporary kitchen.
The decoration is a tribute to rural Sicilian tradition : laces, pieces of art, antique furniture…The bathrooms ceramics and a part of the furnishings are signed from Made a Mano ( the talented firm from Caltagirone).
Every room has the name of an farm object, or is linked directly to the region in Sicilian dialect : Cufina (basket), Carrateddu (wine container) or Litturina, the name of the small train which served every villages until Catana.
For Silvia, wine connects cultures and makes encounters happen. The old farmhouse has become a big house with several commun spaces.
A table d’hôte for breakfast. The kitchen remains available to visitors.
On winter nights, enjoy an herbal tea in the large lounge while reading a book from their library in front the chimney.
On sunny days, Marcellooo remains committed to enjoying the « aperitivo » in the large terrace overlooking the vineyards under the gaze of the « Muntagna ». Salute !* Cheers !.
There is no lack of activities here. The staff is very often young and passionate such as Lidia or Jacopo who organise wine tasting sessions, picnics in the wineyards or cooking classes.
The Tenuta di Fessina’s location allows you to live many geographical related experiences like:
exploring the Etna
visiting the nearby village of Linguaglossa, Castiglione di Sicilia
dive in the littoral for a sea bath just 30 minutes away
fifteen minutes away you can go down the Alcantara’s canyon (a river born in the Mount Nebrodi which finishes in Giardini Naxos on the Ionian coast). Because of time and erosion the lava flow came in contact with the river and created very strange shapes. Many natural basins allow you to take a dip. For the most experiences canyoning and rafting are available. More informations on www.parcoalcantara.it
Silvia Maestrelli belong to these entrepreneurs who knew how to revalue a rich territory while influencing a modern vision. She is the perfect ambassador of a new Sicily and her Tenuta di Fessina is a part of these hidden treasures we are so happy to share with our lectors.
