Tucked away in a quiet corner of Victoria, Gozo, La Sciabordita has just opened its doors — and it’s already turning heads. This cosy little vinoteca is the brainchild of Azzurra Masucci, an Italian expat who’s been living on the island for over a decade. Driven by her love of good food, great wine, and relaxed, convivial evenings, Azzurra has brought a slice of Italy to Gozo. Expect artisanal platters, freshly baked focaccia, and carefully chosen wines — mostly imported straight from trusted producers back home. It’s all served from an open-plan kitchen that feels more like a friend’s home than a commercial space.
From the name to the atmosphere, every detail at La Sciabordita is intentional, and it shows. We sat down with Azzurra to hear about her journey from Tuscany to Gozo, the vision behind her new venture, and what’s next for this charming spot in the heart of Victoria.
From Tuscany to Gozo – A Personal Journey
1. Azzurra, let’s start at the beginning. Where in Italy are you originally from, and what first brought you to Gozo 11 years ago?
I’m from Tuscany, from a small village in the countryside of Siena, an area known as Valdichiana (where the Chianina cows are raised!). I came to Gozo to study English in the summer of 2014. I was supposed to stay for just one month, but I fell in love with the island vibes and I never left.
2. How did your experience of living in Gozo evolve over time – from those early days to now running your own business here?
I started out as a barista in an Italian bar in Marsalforn during the summer season. That first job led to more opportunities in cafés across the island, and I soon found myself diving deeper into the world of coffee. I trained in Italy and, over time, became skilled in brewing techniques, sensory analysis, and eventually roasting. My role evolved from barista to manager, then to trainer, roaster, and consultant. Alongside this, I also built a second business in Airbnb and real estate.
Over the years, life in Gozo changed, the cost of living increased, but so did the opportunities. My lifestyle gradually shifted from laid-back to business-focused, though I still try to maintain a work-life balance.
3. You recently opened La Sciabordita, a beautiful vinoteca in Victoria. What inspired the idea, and what made you decide the time was right to launch it?
A wine bar was a dream a friend and I shared long before I decided to move to Gozo. Growing up in Tuscany, where wine-making is part of the culture, I was surrounded by wine lovers – especially my aunt, who’s an enologist. In our family, wine flows stronger than blood. The close bond between us, and our shared desire to build something together, became the foundation for this idea.
At the time, there was a clear gap on the island between the “kazinos,” an Italian slang word for rough-and-ready local dives – and the polished, high-end restaurants that have multiplied in recent years. I wanted to fill that space with something casual, warm, and unpretentious, but still focused on quality and affordability.
La Sciabordita its a place you can visit every day, that becomes the spot you pass by before going home after work, where people get together and create new connections.
Designing a Space With Soul
4. The atmosphere at La Sciabordita is instantly welcoming – you feel it as soon as you walk in. How did you go about designing the space and choosing the concept?
I love the beauty of interior design, things that please the eyesight, colors, shapes, details. In building La Sciabordita I was lucky enough to collaborate with an architect (Steve Scicluna, who happens to also be the owner of the place) that helped me shape my vision, guiding me through all the technical aspects. I wanted to keep a rustic and somehow elegant style, connecting tradition to innovation, using materials and a palette that recall the vineyards and the precious work of wine makers. My uncle, who is a wood expert, created the tables and shelves for me, working with particular colors and techniques. Other friends expert in the F&B management also collaborated to space and flow management.
5. What’s behind the name La Sciabordita? It’s unique and full of character – just like your venue.
The Tuscan dialect, “La Sciabordita” affectionately describes a carefree soul – someone who might seem dreamy, perhaps from one glass too many, yet still brimming with the spark to achieve wonderful things.
The name came to us during a day-drinking tour in Montepulciano – we were shamelessly “researching” (read: copy) from the local wine bars. After tossing around countless tired and forgettable names, my friend Cecilia and I landed on La Sciabordita. It immediately felt right, playful, evocative, and a perfect fit for the kind of place we wanted to create.
6. How was your experience navigating bureaucracy in Malta when setting up La Sciabordita? Were there any unexpected hurdles along the way?
I come from Italy, the home of bureaucracy, nothing comes smooth there…in comparison, Gozo has a smooth and quite straightforward bureaucracy and helpful offices.
Yes, you might find officers are often on leave…but this is part of the charm 🙂
The Essence of La Sciabordita
7. Your menu features homemade focaccias, beautifully prepared platters, and all served from an open kitchen. Why did you choose this particular style of service?
I wanted to create connection and transparency. The team is the face of the place and it should be a smiling team, kitchen included, they are the main characters in this show, together with the genuinity of the products we offer.
8. We understand all your kitchen equipment and supplies come from your butcher back in Italy – that’s impressive. What made that connection so important to you?
We direct import almost all the wines from Italy, cold cuts, cheeses and also coffee from Tuscany. All those products are artisan and hand crafted, small reality run by well trusted friends of mine, that are guarantee of quality for me, hence for our customers. Also, on an economical side, importing directly gives us the opportunity to keep the prices competitive, making the experience at La Sciabordita valuable from a quality/cost point of view.
Taste of What’s Next
9. Can you share what events or special evenings guests can look forward to at La Sciabordita in the coming months?
Sure, we are working on a series of events for the coming months, starting with Thursday’s Wine appreciation get together. It is a bi-weekly standing event, there is a host guiding clients through wine tasting and describing each wine presented. It is on reservation only and includes a buffet of finger food. Starting from the 25th of June we will also host a live saxophonist every Wednesday.
For event updates and reservations, follow La Sciabordita on Facebook et Instagram.
10. Looking further ahead, what are your future plans or dreams for La Sciabordita? Any changes, expansions, or new ideas on the horizon?
I haven’t stopped dreaming yet, there are plenty of ideas which will take some time to become reality…Rome wasn’t built in a day and La Sciabordita is still a fresh reality, as we just opened last January.
12. Finally, if someone is visiting Gozo for the first time and walks into La Sciabordita – what do you hope they feel, taste, and remember?
After a couple of years living in Gozo, I started to miss the little things I’d taken for granted back home in Tuscany — the wine, the cheeses, the cold cuts, even my mum’s ragù. So I began importing them for myself and started inviting friends over to share those tastes of home.
Now I’m doing the same thing, just on a bigger scale. With La Sciabordita, I’ve opened my home to Gozo — my second home — and, just like before, I’m inviting everyone in to enjoy these things with us.
A Closing Toast
When Azzurra first arrived in Gozo, opening a place like La Sciabordita felt like a distant dream. But with vision and persistence, she made it real — creating a space where people come together over good wine, honest food, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Like the wines she serves, Azzurra brings depth, warmth, and character. Her presence sets the tone, and her genuine hospitality leaves a mark on everyone who stops by. That same spirit is what gives La Sciabordita its soul — more than just a bar, it’s a gathering place where something a little like community quietly grows, one glass at a time.
We’re grateful to Azzurra for sharing her inspiring journey. If you’re an expat living in Malta or Gozo and have a story worth telling, we’d love to hear from you – connect with us through our social media ou complete a contact form via our website.
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