British music legend Sting has turned his dream of owning an Italian vineyard into reality. In an exclusive interview with Falstaff, he shares insights about his second home and reveals why his wines are named after some of his greatest hits.
A good wine is like a song. It tells a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end – and somewhere along the way, there is a surprise. Admittedly, when Trudie and I fell in love with beautiful Italy many years ago, we knew relatively little about viticulture.
But what we did have was a dream. We dreamed of producing a wine of our own that we could proudly present to our family and friends. The fact that we finally got the chance to do just that in Tuscany was a wonderful twist of fate.
In 1997, we bought the Il Palagio estate, replanted the vineyards together with Alan York and did everything we could to realize our vision. When we tasted our first vintage of Sister Moon in 2009, we knew: It was worth the effort. The potential of this place is enormous. In all these years, Il Palagio has become so much more to us than a simple vineyard. It is a place of longing that has become a second home. When the children were younger, we used to spend over two months here every summer. These days, our stays have become somewhat shorter.
And yet, we take every opportunity to relax in Tuscany and enjoy a carefree life. Honestly, who wouldn't? The weather, the people, it's all wonderful. Not to mention the food – there's something special every time. We love Italy and this area so much that we have long felt like part of the community. Tourists and locals alike are always happy to stop by, make a detour to our pizzeria or simply celebrate with us – enjoying the music, the wine, the life.
Perhaps that is what makes Il Palagio so special. This synergy of art and indulgence, which merge with each other naturally. Our wine cellar is located directly below my studio, and I often have the feeling that they are two sides of the same coin. It often seems like the music helps the wine develop, while the enticing aromas from the cellar foster creativity.
Many of our wines are named after my songs – a testimony to a connection that was simply there, that we didn't have to create first. When we produced Sister Moon for the first time, the name came naturally. The grapes were initially cultivated using biodynamic methods, where nature plays a major role – including the moon's phases. And there it was, this magic. Why we named one of our wines Message in a Bottle is somewhat self-explanatory. The most fitting names, however, are those that embody a certain romance: Sacred Love, When We Dance, Roxanne. They all speak of love.
And then there are those wines that already carry their name in them: There is no need for a song title or any other designation. This is where perception speaks, which becomes the experience. When Trudie first tasted Baci Sulla Bocca, she knew: this wine is like a kiss on the lips. She immediately thought of the great photo by Elliott Erwitt that now adorns the label, so all we had to do was find a suitable phrase in Italian. The fact that we were all still wearing masks to protect us from the coronavirus and very few of us were allowed to kiss made the name all the more poignant. Other wines, however, are connected to the estate in a special way.
It's true, every wine tells its own story. Like a song. Or like the vineyard and the people who treasure it – just like us. We love the idea that life is flourishing at Il Palagio even when we are not there, and we appreciate the fact that we have been able to give many people a job over the years. People who believe in our vision and share our joy and enthusiasm.
Il Palagio has become a real community. And anyone who was there will hopefully leave with lasting memories. With a beginning, a middle, and an end – and somewhere along the way, a surprise.
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