Tenuta di San Giorgio aerial estate view over vineyards and gardens, Scordia, Sicily, Italy

An aerial view reveals the full scale of Tenuta di San Giorgio, its historic Sicilian manor anchored within formally manicured gardens and row upon row of vineyards that extend towards the open horizon.

Tenuta di San Giorgio outdoor pool at evening with underwater lighting, Scordia, Sicily, Italy

At dusk, the estate's generously proportioned outdoor pool glows with soft underwater lighting whilst designer egg-pod chairs and parasols line the terrace before the warmly illuminated villa facade.

Tenuta di San Giorgio outdoor pool terrace with palms and Sicilian details, Scordia, Sicily, Italy

The sun-drenched pool terrace frames clear blue water bordered by tall palms, with a casual arrangement of fresh oranges and a straw hat placed poolside to evoke the unhurried rhythms of Sicilian estate life.

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Tenuta di San Giorgio outdoor pool overview with stone urns and orangery, Scordia, Sicily, Italy

Tenuta di San Giorgio pool terrace with rattan loungers and tropical palms, Scordia, Sicily, Italy

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Tenuta di San Giorgio

ESTATE • SCORDIA, SICILY, ITALY

10 Bedrooms • 11 Bathrooms • Sleeps 20

Private PoolSaunaPrivate ChefMountain ViewHome Theatre

Tenuta di San Giorgio is a 10-bedroom historic estate sleeping up to 20 guests near Scordia in eastern Sicily, set within a working organic citrus farm that has been cultivated by the same family since the 15th century. The estate's social heart is the Orangerie, a restored building positioned beside a 15m by 7m pool, its upper floor framing views of Mount Etna and the surrounding valley. Ten individually decorated suites occupy the main house across two garden levels, each furnished with antique and vintage pieces and opening directly onto private balconies or the gardens. A separate Boathouse annexe, included in July and August, adds further capacity and its own terrace with wood-fired oven. Staff are integral to the experience: a cook and butler serve three meals daily from ingredients grown on the estate or sourced by the villa team, and cooking classes, farm walks with the chef and winery visits around Etna can all be arranged. A Finnish sauna, floodlit grass tennis court, home cinema and a well-stocked wine cellar complete the amenity picture. The estate has commissioned garden design from a noted Italian landscape gardener, with additional input from a British counterpart, resulting in lawned tropical grounds planted with rare palms from around the world, carob, agave and aromatic Mediterranean shrubs. Wholly staffed and fully catered, this is a property that works best for large family gatherings or celebrations where the group wants to eat together, cook nothing and leave Sicilian logistics to someone else entirely.

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When to visit

Late spring and early autumn are the most rewarding times to visit: May and September bring warm, settled weather without the intensity of July and August, when the Sicilian interior can reach the high 30s°C. Summer is the estate's peak period, when the Old Boathouse is included and the citrus groves are in full growth. Winter is mild by northern European standards, with daytime temperatures rarely falling below 10°C, and the estate remains open year-round.

winter

dec · jan · feb

Mild and mostly sunny with occasional rain. Temperatures in the Sicilian interior are cool rather than cold, rarely dropping below 8°C during the day.

8-15°C

low crowdexcellent value

The Christmas and New Year period (19 December to 8 January) requires the Old Boathouse and a mandatory booking for up to 20 guests. Outside this window, winter offers strong value with full availability for up to 16 guests.

spring

mar · apr · may

Warm, settled and increasingly sunny from April onward. May is consistently dry with daytime temperatures reaching the low-to-mid 20s°C.

14-24°C

moderate crowdgood value

Easter week (28 March to 10 April 2026) requires the Old Boathouse and a mandatory 20-guest booking. May is among the finest months to visit with excellent weather and no summer heat. Book four to six months ahead for the best availability.

summer

jun · jul · aug

Hot and very sunny. The Sicilian interior can reach 35-38°C in July and August. Sea breezes offer some relief on the coast, but inland the heat is intense by midday.

24-36°C

peak crowdpremium value

July and August are the estate's peak season. The Old Boathouse is included as standard and the 20-person capacity is available. Book six to twelve months ahead. June offers similar weather with slightly lower demand and better availability.

autumn

sep · oct · nov

September remains warm and summery. October cools noticeably, with occasional rain from mid-month. November brings the first sustained rainfall of the year but remains mild.

14-28°C

low crowdgood value

September is arguably the finest month at the estate: warm enough for the pool, quiet enough to enjoy the grounds and the surrounding region. The Old Boathouse inclusion ends after 18 September, so groups of more than 16 should book no later than mid-September.

Why we chose it

The detail that stops us is the kitchen garden protocol: guests cannot bring food or drinks in from outside, because the villa team sources everything themselves, from wild herbs picked during farm walks with the chef to produce from the surrounding citrus orchards. That is not a restriction, it is a philosophy, and it means every meal arrives with a provenance most caterers cannot match. Unlike the majority of large Sicilian estates at this price point, San Giorgio is a genuinely working organic farm rather than a country house that happens to have grounds. The art collection scattered through the interiors adds a further layer of specificity that distinguishes it from estates assembled purely for the rental market.

Reviewed by The Chosen Stay · 2026

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01The Architecture

Tenuta di San Giorgio traces its origins to the 15th century, and the estate's built fabric reflects that accumulated history rather than a single design moment. The main house is arranged across two garden levels, with the lower and upper floors each accessed via separate courtyard entrances, giving the arrangement a rambling, compound quality rather than the formal symmetry of…

02The Interior

Each of the ten suites is named after the plants growing nearby: Lavanda, Gelsomino, Zagara, Cinque Palme, and so on, and each is individually furnished with antique and vintage pieces rather than matching hotel-grade sets. The master Lavanda suite occupies the upper garden level and includes a sitting area with a large single daybed alongside the main bedroom. The Gelsomino…

03The Outdoor

The 15m by 7m pool sits between the main house and the Orangerie, ranging from 1.2m to 3m in depth and fitted with built-in entry steps and an outdoor shower. Pool towels are provided. The pool is backed by the Orangerie building, which creates a natural enclosure and frames views toward the surrounding citrus groves. A Finnish sauna and a…

04The Location

Tenuta di San Giorgio sits in the agricultural interior of eastern Sicily between Catania and Siracusa, positioned geographically between Mount Etna to the north and the coast to the east. The estate describes its position as poised between Etna and the sea, which is accurate: Catania is 33km away, the nearest beach at Lido Vacarizos is 26km, and Mount Etna…

05Ideal For

This estate is built for large family groups and multi-generational gatherings of up to 20 guests who want everything handled. Fully catered with three meals daily, it suits those with no interest in self-catering logistics. The combination of children's facilities, a play area, cots and high chairs makes it genuinely workable for families with young children. Couples or small groups…

Amenities

Wheelchair AccessiblePrivate PoolSaunaAir ConditioningWiFiMountain ViewGarden ViewBBQTerraceBalconyHome TheatreTennis CourtWine CellarCribHigh ChairPlaygroundTable TennisPrivate ChefConciergeHousekeepingLaundryWasherOutdoor Shower

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TheChosenStay's Guide

experience

Etna DOC wine touring

The slopes of Mount Etna produce some of Italy's most distinctive wines, with volcanic soil giving Nerello Mascalese a minerality unlike anything grown on flat ground. The estate's concierge can arrange private winery visits across the Etna and Siracusa areas.

45 minutes by car

activities

Villa Romana del Casale, Piazza Armerina

The finest Roman floor mosaics in existence, covering over 3,500 square metres and still vivid after seventeen centuries. Arrive early before coach groups arrive mid-morning.

75 minutes by car

dining

Noto and the Val di Noto baroque towns

Noto's UNESCO-listed baroque centre rewards a full morning on foot followed by lunch at one of the trattorias in the old town. The granita at Caffè Sicilia has been made by the same family for generations and is the benchmark by which all Sicilian granita is judged.

90 minutes by car

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Frequently Asked

Click the booking link to be taken directly to our booking partner, where you can check availability and complete your reservation.

The estate is fully catered and not available for self-catering. A cook, kitchen staff and butler prepare three meals daily, seven days a week: continental breakfast, a three-course lunch and a four-course dinner. Food costs are payable separately: approximately €20 per person for breakfast, €40 for lunch and €60 for dinner including soft drinks. A cash float of €500 per person is payable on arrival and drawn down against food and beverage costs. Children aged five and under eat free of charge.

The estate sleeps up to 20 guests across ten bedrooms when the Old Boathouse is included. The Boathouse is included as standard in July, August and during certain peak periods. For other dates, the estate accommodates up to 16 guests without the Boathouse, and its use must be confirmed at the time of booking.

Arrival is from 16:00 and departure is by 10:00.

The nearest commercial airport is Catania Fontanarossa (approximately 28km, around 30 minutes by road). For private aviation, Catania Fontanarossa also handles private and charter operations. The estate includes a one-time meet-and-greet service at Catania Airport on arrival.

Yes. The estate provides four cots, three high chairs, a children's play area and two baby monitors. The Old Boathouse adds separate sleeping space suitable for children. Children aged five and under eat free of charge under the catering arrangement. The estate's grounds are extensive and the staffed model means parents are not managing meals or logistics.

The estate's concierge can arrange boat trips with lunch and swimming, guided winery visits around Etna and the Siracusa area, guided cultural experiences, cooking classes, Pilates and in-villa wellness treatments. Bicycle rental is available on site. Nearby, the Villa Romana del Casale mosaics at Piazza Armerina, the baroque towns of Noto and Caltagirone, and Mount Etna excursions are all within driving distance.

Late spring (May) and early autumn (September to October) offer the best balance of warm weather, manageable temperatures and fewer crowds. July and August are peak summer with the Sicilian interior at its hottest, but the Old Boathouse is included during this period, making summer the most practical option for the full group of 20. The estate is open year-round.

Scordia village, with shops, restaurants, a supermarket, pharmacy, post office and bars, is 13.4km from the estate. Catania, the region's main city, is 33km away.

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