Sting welcomes guests to raise funds for restaurateurs hit by covid-19.

English musician and long-term Italian resident Sting is opening his vineyard for a special visit with wine tastings as part of a fundraising drive to help restaurateurs affected by the covid-19 crisis.

The three-day visit was included in an international online auction offering luxury holiday packages of tours and wine tastings to the highest bidder, with more than $1 million raised for small businesses in the restaurant sector.

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The package entitled "Experience Il Palagio with Trudie Styler, Sting and Riccardo Cotarella," kicked off at $48,000 but by the time the auction closed at midnight on 10 April the price had risen to $140,000, reports the Winenews website.

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The three-day stay also includes a "Gran Wine Tasting" for 10-12 people together with the producers, Sting and his wife Trudie Styler and their oenologist Riccardo Cotarella, at the estate located midway between Florence and Arezzo.

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The auction included tours and tastings at other celebrated vineyards in Tuscany including Antinori, Frescobaldi, Brunello di Montalcino, Castello di Bossi (Chianti) and Tignanello.

Photo credit Sting Facebook Il Palagio