The story of Sting's estate: how the musician bought a luxury villa and opened his own winery

Already an iconic musician, Sting has acquired villa in Tuscany in the late 1990s, but few people know the story behind the purchase of this luxurious house. What tricks the estate's past owner used to sell his villa and how the singer managed to revive the estate from its ruins 17th century? Let's try to figure it out.

Buying a villa

Sting and his wife Trudie Styler. in 1997 purchased a luxury estate in Tuscany with adjoining vineyards. Duke Simone Vincenzo Velluti Zati di San Clemente, the then owner of the estate, invited the former Police frontman to visit the house and, after several trips, Sting was almost certain to buy it. It was only a matter of time before the singer decided to do just that. glass of wine.

According to Sting, the Duke suggested that he give it a try local wine on their first visit. The guests appreciated the product of the land as well as the house, which was sadly in decline. Even then, Sting was already thinking about a deal, and a glass of the very same red wine made the musician answer the cherished question "yes.".

Fantastic composition "Fragile."which was another hit, was recorded at the estate.

But, as the former Police lead singer later found out, the Duke turned out to be a very cunning manInstead of wine from Il Palagio, he served guests barolo from the north-west region of Italy.

Revenge is sweet

When the estate was fully taken over by Sting and his wife, the couple's guests would attend parties where Il Palagio wine was served pouring out the drink into the flowerbeds. You can imagine what the harvest was like at that time! So Sting and Trudy decided "revenge" to the Duke by starting to produce some amazing wine from the Palagio vineyards. It was indeed a good way to take revenge.

Since the villa Sting bought had long been looks like a ruinThe new owners took a creative approach to the renovation: due to a shortage of labour, Sting and Trudy announced that anyone could work on the estate, but pay for it. The musician called such labour "therapeutic" and, as he himself sought peace and relaxation in the lands of Italy, he offered others to feel the same, and after the dine at the same table.

Own winery

Today, the estate is producing about 150,000 bottles of wine per year of 6 different types: sparkling, white, rosé, and there are also three types of red wines made with different grape varieties - both local and imported. In the challenging art of winemaking, the couple has been assisted since 2020 by a renowned Italian oenologist Ricardo Catarello.

Interesting fact: three of the wines produced at Sting's villa are named after his songs.

For Sting and Styler's estate - summer houseWhile their cosy dwelling is a great place for the whole family to gather, there is plenty of room even for those who want to celebrate an important event in their lives or to just relax in the south of Florence. At the moment it is possible to rent there a villa with all amenities.

Holidays in Italy every year

The doors of Il Palagio estate are open to the musician's family and their guests every summer; Sting and his wife gather as a family in the south of Italy to enjoy fine wine and a pleasant holiday.

Sting himself says: "We're not really owners at all; we're here to make this place happen better". No doubt the labour has not been in vain: the wines are becoming more and more delicious, and thanks to the combined efforts of experts and locals, olive groves and vegetable gardens have returned to the estate. For Sting's family and tenants, the many delights of a luxury villa are available. The heart of the estate is no exception. wine cellar. There, guests can set a table, thanks to the large storage area, and have a . tasting Villa Il Palagio wines.

Sting's video from Italy

Holidaying at Lee Galli in Positano, Sting performed. legendary "Englishman in New York" accompanied by two street musicians. About a year ago, the former Police frontman visited Lee Gully and became the hero of a small impromptu performance: two musicians, playing mandolin and guitar, played a recognisable tune, and Sting enjoyed it with pleasure sing along. Interestingly, it was in New York that the singer recorded this track using a mandolin and a familiar New York guitarist.

In August 2018, Sting gave. "house concert at his villa Il Palagio. With a local band, the rock star performed his most smash hit "Every breath you take" for the guests of the estate, and afterwards, like a gracious host, invited everyone to drink wine and enjoy the evening.

2017. Sting is back on the "home stage" of his estate, this time with a more talked-about song - the "Message in a bottle.". Drenched in wistfulness, yet still so lively, this composition has a direct link to the history of the villa: the work was named in honour of it one of the wines. Such a message will definitely not leave even the loneliest Robinson Crusoe indifferent.

A photo of Sting's house in Italy