Baglio del Marchese Masseria sul mare Marsala - Sicily.

The history of Baglio del Marchese is closely linked to the figure of the Sicilian marquis, Nicolò Spanò: a member of one of the island's most important aristocratic families, whose favorite pastimes were, legend has it, hunting and drinking Marsala wine. With the intention of devoting yet more time to his two great passions, the Marquis decided to establish his very own wine producing estate, which would also serve as hunting reserve, in the countryside between Mazara del Vallo and Marsala: a corner of western Sicily where the lines of grapevines now stretch all the way from the hills to the area's beautiful sandy beaches. In 1860, the Marquis built his summer abode within the grounds of the estate, in a building originally used as bishop's residential palace.

Silvia Montalto Spanò, direct descendent of the noble dynasty and a leading lady in Sicily's wine industry, has been responsible for transforming the property in today's Baglio del Marchese Masseria Storica sul Mare: a luxury farm stay and period residence, which testifies to the Arab and Spanish influences in both Sicilian architecture and interior design.

The main building of Baglio del Marchese stands within two enclosed courtyards, typical of 19th century Sicilian aristocratic residences and similar to those described by Prince Tomasi di Lampedusa in his celebrated novel The Leopard (published posthumously in 1958). Guests access their bedrooms via the main courtyard, passing by the ancient stone water trough which serves as reminder of the Baglio del Marchese's original agricultural function. Each of the bedrooms has been individually decorated with unique pieces of furniture in elegant Italian Liberty style, and further embellished with ornate stucco work, sweeping drapes, and luxurious textiles.

For decades, the Baglio del Marchese winery has distilled wines for the Montalto-Spanò family. Today's guests staying at the Masseria have the opportunity to experience typical dishes of local cuisine, prepared together with the owners, and taste both Baglio del Marchese's prestigious wines and the excellent extra virgin olive oil produced on the estate.

The Baglio del Marchese is the ideal choice for those looking for luxurious accommodation combined with a holiday spent surrounded by the countryside and close to the sea and beaches of Sicily. The owners of the farm stay regularly organize boat trips; taking guests on a fascinating journey along the coast and across the water to the Egadi islands, so as to explore the enchanting sea caves and tiny secluded beaches which characterize the archipelago.