Near Malfa, on the Aeolian island of Salina, a white lighthouse stands on a promontory among rows of Malvasia vines. Capofaro has the volcanic islands of the archipelago laid out on the horizon and very little between you and the sea.
The lighthouse still works. Its keeper's quarters have been restored by MAB Arquitectura, led by Floriana Marotta and Massimo Basile, and now hold six suites, with the old barrel vaults and spiral staircase left in place.
The architects kept their additions plain: microcement floors, white lime walls, limestone basins and cement tiles made by hand in Santa Flavia, in earth tones and a little sea blue.
Around the white buildings, dry-stone walls and paths of volcanic gravel lead through a small trail of island plants. Reed canopies filter the sun over the terraces, so the shade falls in thin stripes.
The vines are still tended by Tasca d'Almerita, the Sicilian wine family who owned Capofaro for more than twenty years before the Licitra family took it on in 2024.
From almost anywhere on the headland you can watch the water shift from navy to turquoise as the day goes on, which is all Mediterranean Blues sets out to show.
All photography via Capofaro
