Villa Mangiaricotta is a special place. It is over 300 years old, but has been lovingly remodeled and modernized to include all conveniences.
The Villa is comprised of three levels. The first level has an entry with four of the five bedrooms. Each bedroom has their own private full bathroom with walk-in shower, sink & vanity and toilet. The primary bathroom has double sinks and a bidet. The second floor is the living space with a half-bathroom, family room with large L-shaped sofa and TV, living room with fireplace, dining room with table that seats 12 and full service kitchen. The third level has a bedroom, private full bathroom with walk-in shower and separate toilet and bidet along with a small sitting area with a sofa bed that can accommodate two small children. The property is extremely private, gated, and includes over seven acres of land.
It has also an external equipped kitchens, with all new appliances. It has a new BBQ with an additional burner and wine fridge. The utility room has one washing machine and two dryers. All linens are from Restoration Hardware. There is an extensive lawn with a large, heated swimming pool.
What’s in a name?
Well, let me take you back to the 1800s, when my great-grandparents began their stories.
On my mother’s side, our roots trace to Lucca, where my great-grandfather, Adolph Gemignani, was born in 1878 within the city walls. He spent his life there with his wife, Asunnta, who, as family lore goes, now rests in the hills between Lucca and Viareggio.
On my father’s side, we hail from Sciacca, a charming fishing village in Sicily. In 1835, my great-grandfather, Vito Pomilia, was born and married his sweetheart, Marianna. Together, they built their lives in this picturesque town by the sea.
Fast forward to my parents, and my deep love for Italy, Sicily, and all things Italian. Honestly, I didn’t have much of a choice! I still remember asking my father, “Am I Toscana like Mom or Sicilian like you?” His reply was swift: “My boy, you are Sicilian. Sicilian blood cleanses all other blood. Don’t ask me that again!” (Thankfully, my mom wasn’t in the room.)
Mom was the oldest of seven children, and Dad was the youngest of ten. With countless aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family, our lives revolved around the dining table. Every Sunday and holiday, we shared hours-long meals that were as much about love as they were about food.
Over the years, I’ve taken my family to Italy and Sicily to reconnect with our roots and embrace the Italian way of life. These trips inspired our dream of owning a home in this beautiful country.
Did you know Sicilians love giving nicknames? In our family, we had “Harry the Horse,” “The Commander,” “Shark Eyes,” and “Bubbles.” But my great-grandfather Vito had one that stuck: Mangiaricotta, meaning “eats cheese.” It’s even engraved on his gravestone in Sciacca, a name that followed our family to San Francisco’s North Beach and lives on today.
We are thrilled to share Villa Mangiaricotta with you—a place to gather, enjoy delicious meals, savor incredible wine, and, of course, share a piece of cheese for Nonno Vito!
