Baglio Spano

Located in southwest Sicily, 14 km from Marsala, is the historic Baglio farm estate, owned forever by the Montalto Spanò family. The 18th-century, fortified construction with two inner courtyards includes the main house, farmer’s quarters, wine cellars, and barns and stalls; all in the center of over a thousand acres of vineyards where the famous Marsala wines derive. A long, dirt road through the vineyards and citrus groves leads to the front gate through the seemingly abandoned work area to the second courtyard, where the restored home is situated. On the ground floor of the owner’s villa is a rustic dining room, where guests can enjoy a typical home-cooked, Sicilian country meal. A rooftop terrace offers views to the not so distant sea. Five guestrooms on two floors are each individually decorated with original, patterned-tile floors and family heirlooms, giving turn-of-the-last-century ambience. New bathrooms have been added to each bedroom. There are the Mozia salt and wine islands, the seaside archaeological site of Selinunte with temples still-standing and vast areas of fallen columns (best seen at sunset), and many wineries to visit in the area.