Change of strategy for Tasca d’Almerita, which announces that it has reached an agreement for the sale of the Capofaro resort, the accommodation facility located on the island of Salina, in the Aeolian archipelago. This begins, also through a reorganization of its business that will see Leonardo Vallone as commercial director, a new phase of development for the wine group that is a symbol of Sicilian wine history. After more than 20 years, the iconic Salina relais passes to a new owner, but the vineyards and Aeolian production remain under the management of the company.
Capofaro Locanda & Malvasia Changes Hands
Acquired in 2001, thanks to an intuition that the Tasca family had about the potential of Malvasia delle Lipari, Capofaro Locanda & Malvasia has established itself over time as a wine retreat of excellence and the only Aeolian residence to be part of the Relais & Chateaux circuit. The project is based on an original combination of wine and high hospitality.
During the two decades of activity, Tasca d’Almerita has pursued the mission of positioning Salina and the Aeolian Islands as a tourist destination of the highest profile. This objective was motivated by an upstream choice of sustainability: the Aeolian archipelago is small in size, has very delicate environmental balances and limited accommodation availability. Keeping tourist flows limited was the only way to protect such a precious habitat. At the same time, connecting leisure activities to the world of wine has made it possible to enhance and relaunch a historic vocation of the Aeolian Islands, stimulating an important economic and social driving force for the entire archipelago.
“Capofaro has thus become the first 5-star boutique hotel in the Aeolian Islands,” comments Alberto Tasca. “We began to study the local vineyard and its peculiarities, recovering and regenerating its historical part. Over the years, we have also renovated the fishing village and brought one of the most important lighthouses in the Mediterranean back to life. All of this will remain as our legacy, for the guests who will continue to frequent this unique place.”
Today, Tasca d’Almerita is leaving the Capofaro Locanda & Malvasia accommodation facility, a name chosen to underline the spontaneous and authentic style of hospitality, but will continue to guard the spectacular vineyards overlooking the Aeolian sea that give rise to Capofaro, Didyme and Vigna di Paola, the sweet and dry versions of Malvasia.
Tasca d’Almerita changes strategy and reorganizes its business: Leonardo Vallone new sales director
The sale of the accommodation facility is part of a broader framework of reorganization and specialization of the group. Among the new features announced, there is an expansion of the team, with the involvement of new key figures.
The commercial direction is entrusted to Leonardo Vallone who, thanks to a solid managerial experience, will work on the consolidation and increase of the brand’s presence on the various markets, addressing the phenomena of change and diversification of consumption that cross the entire international scenario.
“It is an honor for me to be able to work with the Tasca family”, says Leonardo Vallone, “a company of undisputed value, on the fascinating variety of soils and areas cultivated in the five Estates, combined with the extraordinary attention to good practices in the vineyard and a history that is intertwined with the most authoritative one of national viticulture”.
Alessia Maranzano, sector journalist and sommelier Ais and WSET 2, joins the marketing team and will coordinate new digital marketing and integrated communication projects.
In the cellar, the transversal role of Lorenza Scianna, oenologist and winemaker, is consolidated, who will accompany the oenological management of the estates. Her work is characterized by a specific anthropological sensitivity towards the relationship between man and the vine, which will help strengthen Tasca d’Almerita’s commitment to protecting the intangible heritage of Sicily.
Finally, on Etna, the agronomist Michele Brusaferri coordinates the research and study project of the territory, identifying the new expressions of the districts, with the support of Vittoria Cerniglia, Sommelier Ais expert in hospitality management, who follows and develops the wine tourism experiences in Pianodario and Rampante.
