The lava stone wine press
8 Guests
4 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
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.
Looking to know more about Il Palmento dei Castagni?
Our team has visited each of our villas, so they can share the finer details and help explore flexible date options
Winner of Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 Best Villa Rental Company in the World
Keyholder highlights
- Beautifully converted wine press
- Stunning views and extensive grounds
- Secluded pool
- Panoramic Jacuzzi and gym
Gallery
The shady terrace with plenty of space for everyone.
The pool is surrounded by the wonderful gardens.
The lovely terrace.
The wonderful pool.
Includes
- Sole use of the villa and the grounds
- The support of our Villa Specialists to help you select your perfect villa
- The expertise of a dedicated team to help you fine-tune the logistics of your trip and to plan a range of experiences, many of which are exclusive to The Thinking Traveller
- A Local Specialist available during your stay for emergency support
- A comprehensive guide to your villa and its surrounding area, including our restaurant recommendations, cultural highlights and other activities
- An easy-to-use online holiday planner to keep all your booked experiences and services in one place, ensuring that nothing gets missed during your stay
- The ability to coordinate and share the details of your trip with your group via Your Account
- All sales taxes, electricity, gas, Wi-Fi, linen, bath towels, pool and/or beach towels
- Access to our in-villa wine delivery service – choose from our handpicked menu of the best regional wines and find them waiting for you at your villa
- A mid-week cleaning and linen change service
Excludes
- Flights
- Car hire
- Transfers
- Meals (unless otherwise specified)
- Tourist taxes (tassa di soggiorno) levied by many town councils in Italy. The amount varies by location and usually amounts to between €1-€5 per person per night
From the Guest Book
Read the insightful reviews from travellers who have experienced this villa and our service firsthand.
We had a wonderful stay at Il Palmento dei Castagni, a converted vineyard. There were all the creature comforts along with the rustic feel of the place. It was well stocked with firewood for the cooler nights and at least two fireplaces that we discovered. The wine cellar had a great collection of wines. The kitchen was well equipped. The Thinking Traveller organised for a local chef to come make pizzas for us in the outdoor oven as well, which was really special. The trees around the property were beautiful and we did pluck a few fruits. We also liked the patio where we had our morning cup of coffee.
Lavayaa Lavy June 2025
We had a great stay! The villa and the staff (both in the villa and through the agency) were fantastic. The grounds were especially nice, and we loved the honour-system wine cellar.
Susie Dickson June 2023
Il Palmento dei Castagni was heavenly, the people like friends and the food was divine!
EB, United Kingdom July 2022
Il Palmento dei Castagni was beautiful both inside and out.
JC, United Kingdom August 2022
A warm welcome to a magical private garden and house of adventure.
Verified guest, May 2023
We loved Il Palmento dei Castagni and the overall the selection of villas while making the booking. The booking process also went well.
Verified guest, August 2024
Excellent
4.7/5
1,174 Reviews
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The Area
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.
Getting to and around
Catania airport:
47km-29miles-40minsComiso airport:
127km-78miles-1hr45minsPalermo airport:
272km-170miles-3hr10Trapani airport:
353km-220miles-3hr55Beaches on the Ionian coast:
approx. 25minsNearest shops and restaurants in Sant'Alfio:
approx. 1km (a brisk walk down, a little steep on the way back)Taormina:
32km-20miles -35minsMount Etna (La Sapienza cable car station):
29km-18miles-40minsSyracuse:
114km-70miles-1hr30Local Experiences
Helicopter tours in East Sicily
A helicopter trip in Sicily over Etna and to the Aeolian Islands is a highly moving experience, enough to reduce grown men and women to tears! Book with us for a truly unforgettable addition to your Sicilian holiday.
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Private boat charters in East Sicily
The coastline between Taormina and Catania is one of the most dramatic and idyllic in Sicily, thanks to its sandy-pebbly coves, its sea stacks and its transparent waters. The best way to explore it is by boat, and we can arrange a wide variety of full-day, half-day and sunset trips. From your port of departure, you'll head to the lovely fishing villages dotting the coast, such as Aci Trezza and Aci Castello, before sailing north towards the Bay of Giardini Naxos below Capo Taormina. Once there, your skipper will drop anchor so that you can enjoy an unforgettable swim under the awesome gaze of Mount Etna. If you can tear yourselves away from this majestic setting, your trip will continue north to the gorgeous Bay of Isola Bella, one of Sicily's most evocative and picturesque sections of coastline, where lush vegetation imbues the brilliant blue water of the Grotta Azzurra with an emerald green hue.
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Wine tours on Mount Etna
Some of Italy’s finest wines are now being made on the flanks of Mount Etna. A new generation of Sicilian producers are realising the full potential of the mountain’s climate, its autochthonous grape varieties (NerelloMascalese - red - and Carricante - white), its ultra-fertile soil and its unique terroir. To discover just how the natural magic of the mountain combines with the perseverance and passion of man to create outstanding wines, let us arrange a chaufferued wine-tasting tour for you. A delicious lunch is included, so you’ll get a full experience of Etna’s gastronomic abundance.
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Culinary experiences in East Sicily
From the bounty of Mount Etna to the fish-rich sea below, the Ionian Riviera is home to a host of gastronomic delights. Our culinary experiences in the area will give you the knowledge and the skills to recreate some of eastern Sicily's best-known dishes.
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Private Guided tours in East Sicily
Sicily is, quite simply, one of the world’s most fascinating places, with a uniquely rich history, geography and cultural heritage. The Eastern side of the island has a seemingly endless variety of treasures to discover, from the architectural gems and culinary delights of the main towns, to UNESCO Heritage sites, to the geological phenomena and breath-taking landscapes of Mount Etna.Our private guides are tried and tested experts in their field, with many holding PhDs in their particular specialism. Book a tour or two with them and you'll come away with fascinating insights into your destination's towns, archaeological sites, food, wine, landscapes and geology.
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In villa experiences
We are here to assist you in creating unforgettable memories during your stay at the villa. Allow us to pamper you and make the most of your time there.
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Private boat charters in Southeast Sicily
From here until the southeasternmost tip of Sicily, the coastline is an uninterrupted stretch of sandy beach, dotted with picturesque little resort towns, including Punta Secca (Inspector Montalbano's home), Marina di Ragusa, Donnalucata, Cava d'Aliga, Sampieri and Marina di Modica. The last strip, made up of several miles of dunes, is where the Allied forces landed in the 2nd World War. At the southernmost tip of Sicily is Isola Delle Correnti, offering an almost African scenario. Indeed, here we are considerably further south than Tunis.Just around the southeastern tip and heading north up the east coast, are the beaches of Marzamemi, San Lorenzo and Vendicari Nature Reserve. The reserve's salt water lagoons and varieties of flora offer the ideal habitat for a wide range of fauna, including nesting turtles and migrating flamingos.Continuing up the east coast, between Vendicari and the historic Greek town of Syracuse, are the popular sandy beaches of Marina di Noto, Calabernado, Marina di Avola, Gelsomineto, Fontane Bianche and Arenella.
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