In Riposto, suspended between the blue Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, Zash Country Boutique Hotel & SPA is an ancient 19th-century winery reinterpreted with a contemporary design lens that offers wonderful rooms with private pools and a 1-Michelin-star restaurant.

The Story: The Ancient Palmento That Breathes Design

The story of Zash is one of family and rural rebirth. Originally a typical 19th-century palmento (stone wine press room) belonging to the Maugeri family, the place where the grapes were harvested, pressed, and wine made, surrounded by thirteen hectares of lush organic citrus grove.

The name is a poetic reference to the Riposto countryside: zash is, in fact, the whisper of the wind through the leaves of the citrus trees, the flowing water, the distant, magnetic roar of Etna.

For us, everything must be perceived as it was 100 years ago, albeit with all the modern comforts, to feel inebriated by the surrounding nature. (Maugeri family)

In 2011, a careful architectural restoration project, which also received various international awards, transformed the manor house into a boutique hotel that pays homage to its past, while projecting itself towards the future.

Contrasts are the heart of the project: the lava stone, dark and porous, coexists with the white resin concrete and the immense minimalist windows. A continuous dialogue between the strength of the volcano and the lightness of modernity.

Zash Restaurant and Lounge Bar, a Michelin Star

A truly magical experience unfolds as you descend the steps into the restaurant. The tables are nestled right inside the ancient wine fermentation vat, while in the summer, the dining room moves to the terrace overlooking the garden and citrus grove.

In this intimate and cozy atmosphere, the kitchen is led by Chef Giuseppe Raciti, a solid Michelin star since 2019.

Raciti’s cuisine is a perfect balance of visual play, childhood memories, and rigorous technique, honed alongside international masters. Signature dishes like crispy poached egg or grilled tuna belly play with ingredients from the garden, Riposto fish, and Nebrodi meats. The wine cellar is a profound, liquid map of the region, dominated by native grape varieties such as Nerello Mascalese and Carricante.

At the entrance to the ancient winery, you can stop in the lounge bar for a cocktail inspired by Mount Etna and local delicacies.

The Rooms: A Hymn to History and Nature

In Zash’s rooms, design meets nature in 17 unique settings, visually connecting with the landscape:

Historic Rooms: Located on the first floor of the main house or in the former caretaker’s house, they retain their high ceilings and overlook the citrus groves, with balconies scented with orange blossoms.
Blend Rooms: Located in the old cellar, the white resin walls contrast with the historic exposed lava stone walls.
Green/Iconic Rooms: These are veritable “glass boxes” immersed in the citrus grove. Here, the walls disappear to reveal views of Mount Etna or the private garden, giving the illusion of sleeping under the stars.
Pool Villas: Exclusive residences immersed in greenery, with a pool and private spa.

The SPA: the Etna’s energy

The Zash SPA is an intimate and completely private sensory experience. Housed in one of the estate’s historic spaces, it is entirely clad in lava stone, an ancestral reference to the volcano’s energy.

The wellness program includes a heated indoor pool, a Turkish bath, a sauna, and a charming hot tub. Treatments and massages use local essences, such as Sicilian citrus oils, designed to regenerate the body after a day spent exploring the world of Etna.

Rail Experiences: The Circumetnea and Historic Trains

Zash’s location makes it perfect for lovers of rail tourism and the atmosphere of times gone by. The facility is located just a few kilometers from the Giarre and Riposto stations, crucial hubs for unique experiences.

The Circumetnea Railway offers the exclusive rental of its historic trains, including the historic Fiat ALn 56 railcars, known as “Littorine,” from the 1930s, restored and in perfect working order.

Inaugurated at the end of the 19th century, this narrow gauge line runs a ring around the volcano. Getting on board means crossing lunar landscapes made of black lava flows, abruptly interrupted by the green countryside of Bronte (the land of pistachios) and medieval lava stone villages such as Randazzo.

Alternatively, you can privatize the Etna Wine Train which leads to the discovery of the most prestigious wine cellars of the volcano for tastings.

The Secret

In the ancient barrel cellar, instead of demolishing or distorting the volumes, the designers inserted real white and minimalist “boxes” inside the historic exposed lava stone walls. A choice of great visual appeal.

Useful Info

Zash
Strada Provinciale 2/I-II n. 60
95018 Archi – Riposto, Catania
Tel. +39 095 7828932 

Rooms: from €220 per night with breakfast
Restaurant
Tasting menu: from €140
Appetizers and first courses: €34 and €45
Second courses: €50–€60