Ancient Farmhouse In Sicily

We offer for sale a farmhouse with an ancient wine press set on a 30,000 sqm plot less than three kilometers from both the sea and the town center. In the immediate vicinity and on the adjacent lands grows the renowned red gold of Pachino: the cherry tomato. The quality of the soil, proximity to the sea, and ideal temperatures are the characteristics that have led to the construction of many farmhouses and wine presses in the low province of Siracusa; in fact, Pachino, before becoming famous worldwide for its cherry tomatoes, was already renowned for wine production, which is still produced on a large commercial scale thanks to important vineyards and many indigenous grape varieties. Today, some of these beautiful and significant buildings have been skillfully restored, but one of the oldest and most historic in the territory of Pachino is still waiting to return to its original splendor. The Masseria dei Marchesi Trigona di Cannicarao was built by them in the second half of the 1800s, modifying the even older farmhouse of the Maucini estate, the same ones who ceded the lands to the marquises. Since the lands were cultivated with vineyards, the Masseria was built with a large wine press of twelve areas and a large cellar capable of holding all the wine produced; furthermore, warehouses were also built for the tools used in the wine press. The Masseria was purchased by the grandfather of the current owners directly from Marquis Vincenzo Trigona di Cannicarao and the noblewomen Maria, Carolina, Giuseppina, and Dorotea Merletta Trigona di Cannicarao, noble landowners originally from the nearby and vast county of Noto. For almost a hundred years, of which there is historical memory, the Masseria was fully active for the purpose for which it was built, carrying out all the processes following the harvest: from crushing to fermentation of the must and finally the much-anticipated transformation into wine: the nectar of the gods. The large building measures approximately 1500 sqm in total, arranged in a quadrangular layout with the concept of a master courtyard closed on four sides, communicating to the outside through a large iron gate set in an archway and featuring a beautiful wrought iron rose window. In the center of the courtyard, with stone and cobblestone flooring arranged in a knife pattern, is the characteristic stone well that sits above a large underground cistern for water supply. Each building measures just over 400 sqm; the wine press, the cellar with the tanks and the press, the storage rooms, and tool deposit add up to another 400 sqm, the dwelling of the overseer and family, and the residence of about 150 sqm that housed the Marquises during their long stays at the Masseria. Following a volumetric expansion after the war towards the interior of the courtyard, the total area of the entire Masseria reached the current 1500 sqm, excluding the large courtyard. The large land is well-maintained and features at least 400 olive trees, including a good number of centuries-old ones. The Masseria has retained its charm over time as well as its substance; visiting its large internal spaces truly impresses with the conception of the areas for their intended uses. The property is ideal for tourism-related investments. There is also the possibility to purchase an additional 2 hectares of land with another small building of an additional 100 sqm over two levels.