Mick Hucknall’s Sicilian vineyard on sale

Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall has put his five-bedroom Sicilian home and vineyard on the market, having built his Il Cantante winery on its grounds.

The 18th century former mill, bought by Hucknall in 2000, features its own two hectare vineyard terraced on either side of Mount Etna, a tasting room as well as a private museum featuring a millstone dating back to 1760, a wine press and 19th century tools.

The musician’s Il Cantante winery, which started life at the property and whose name appropriately translates as ‘The Singer’, produces three wines across three vineyards; two reds using primarily the Nero d’Avola and Nerello Mascalese, and a white made from Carricante, Grecanico and Minnella grapes.

Located on the edge of the Mount Etna Nature Park Sant Alfio, the rustic country house has an asking price of €650,000 (£520,000) and is being marketed by international agents, Engel & Völkers.

A spokesperson for Engel & Völkers, said of the singer: “He came as a tourist, fell in love with the place, bought it and created the winery “Il Cantante”.

“The millstone over two levels with a total area of approximately 400 square meters was restored by default.

“Inside there is a lounge with fireplace, wooden roof, old cisterns, an old press and other equipment for wine production from the nineteenth century. This private museum can be admired beneath a glass floor.”

The 54-year-old British musician is best known for hits including ‘Money’s Too Tight to Mention’, ‘Holding Back the Years’ and ‘Something’s Got Me Started’.