Faro Capel Rosso at the southernmost tip of the Isola del Giglio is acquiring its own red winethis harvest season: Capel Rosso 1883, named after the lighthouse and the year of its construction. It was created by Gilda Mura, one of three Florentine sisters who have operated the lighthouse under concession since 2016 and, following its restoration in 2021, have run it as a boutique hotel with four suites. Autumn reveals a different side of Toscana and the Tuscan Archipelago from the summer beach season, with harvested vineyards, quieter coves and walking trails through macchia, granite and holm oak. For guests, the new wine is served directly at the lighthouse .
Ansonaco and the Harvest: Wine Culture on Giglio
Giglio is an island of steep vineyards above the sea, where the centuries-old relationship between people and a demanding land is particularly visible. Ansonaco, the island's characteristic grape variety, grows on often terraced slopes exposed to the sun and salty sea air, defining the local white wines. Granite, wind and Mediterranean vegetation shape the wines of Giglio. With the recently completed harvest and the traditional Festa dell'Uva, work now moves from the vineyards into the cellars, where the new vintage is taking shape. Autumn light and the beginning of the cellar season offer a different way into the island than the summer months, and Faro Capel Rosso at the southern tip provides the perfect starting point for this.
Capel Rosso 1883: The New Red Wine by Gilda Mura
The connection between the lighthouse and the world of wine gains its own chapter with the new vintage. Gilda Mura, one of the three sisters, founded the agricultural estate Le 12 Querce in the hills around Firenze several years ago, where Trebbiano and indigenous red wine varieties are cultivated. The estate's first two wines, Ermione and Ares, already originated from this project, and with Capel Rosso 1883, the estate's vision now reaches symbolically to the Mediterranean. The new red wine combines the freshness and balance of Sangiovese with the softness of Merlot, which lends it roundness. Twelve months of ageing in French oak barrels adds subtle spice notes, wood tones and hints of Mediterranean herbs to the aromatic profile, evoking the island's macchia.
Four Suites in the Lighthouse: Staying the Night Above the Sea
A stay at Faro Capel Rosso at this time of year means arriving at a secluded spot above the Mediterranean, where the beaches grow quieter, the light softer and the horizon more changeable. Guests settle into one of the four sea-facing suites, which were designed during the restoration with due respect for the building's original character: stone floors, wooden beams and granite meet furnishings that preserve the spirit of the lighthouse without sacrificing comfort. Outside, hot tubs invite guests to take in the view even as temperatures begin to drop. The culinary concept centres on seasonal ingredients and Mediterranean tradition.
Walking on Giglio: Macchia, Granite and Mushrooms
While the wine tells the agricultural story of the island, the walking trails reveal its wilder side. Beyond the summer heat, milder temperatures invite exploration of Giglio on foot through holm oak forests and Mediterranean Macchia and vast granite expanses. The paths alternate between stretches of dense greenery and unexpected openings towards the coast, while strawberry trees, heather and wild plants take on the warm colours of the season. Wild mushrooms can be found in the undergrowth, and the island's biodiversity becomes far more visible away from the summer crowds at the beach. Guided walks with local guides go beyond the landscape to explore the geology, flora and settlement history of an area shaped over centuries by nature and human endeavour.
1883: A Historic Milestone and a Hotel Project
The year the lighthouse was built gives the new red wine its name and also marks the historic milestone of the project. Faro Capel Rosso was 1883 inaugurated and originally operated under the administration of the Italian Navy as a navigational aid along the southern coast of Giglio. Since 2016, the three Mura sisters from Florence have run the lighthouse under a concession; restoration and conversion were completed in 2021, with particular attention to preserving the historic character and the site's significance to the island's identity. Today, Faro Capel Rosso offers four suites with understated furnishings and original materials, set within the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago.
