Sting Opens Shop on His Tuscan Estate

Posted on Aug 5th 2010 10:15AM by Matt Glazebrook
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Is there no end to Sting's talents? The former Police leader -- who has counted Tantric sex, lute playing, organic cultivation and environmental activism among his extra-curricular activities -- is about to embark on a new career: farm shopkeeper.

As of Wednesday's opening event, the Geordie musician will be selling produce raised on his 900-acre Tuscan estate directly to consumers via a newly opened on-site store, "Tenuta il Palagio", the Telegraph reports.

Sting as been commercially producing oil, wine, acacia honey and salami on his 'Il Palagio' farm for since 2005, after purchasing the land in 1997, but the shop ribbon-cutting means local fans of gourmet wares won't have to travel to stores like Harrods to nibble on the singer's delicacies.

Sting told attendees at the shop unveiling -- who included journalists, local villagers and the mayor of nearby Figline Valdarno -- of the "rapport" that he feels exists between the epicurean and terpsichorean worlds. "If I don't eat well, I can't sing," he explained to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Il Palagio, which employs fifteen staff members, boasts a 16th century villa and offers yoga retreats -- is located around 20 miles south-east of Florence.