Olive Oil and Wine Tasting in Rome

A trip report from Italy expert and Andrew Harper Travel Advisor Joe Colucci

Being a frequent traveler to Rome, a group of local friends decided to take me to a winery located in the Castelli Romani, which is the wine-producing area outside the city. The area is mainly known for its white wine production but also some nice reds.

A quick 35-minute drive to the town of Monte Porzio Catone, within the Castelli Romani region, led us to the Santa Benedetta Winery, one of the oldest in the area. Unlike the “grand” wineries of Tuscany or Piedmont, this one was very small, walled and unassuming. We were met by one of the owner’s sons. He gave us each a glass of their locally produced Frascati and began a brief tour of the vineyard. He described the area, grapes grown and type of wine they make. As they are a small operation, none of their wines are exported to the United States or elsewhere in Europe.

After the vineyard tour we were escorted into a room full of antiques and old family photographs. Our first tasting was of their olive oil, which was quite lovely. I think the majority of people think that olive oil only comes from Tuscany, but there is excellent olive oil produced in the regions of Puglia, Sicily and here in the Castelli Romani.

DID YOU KNOW? There is excellent olive oil produced in the regions of Puglia, Sicily and here in the Castelli Romani.

Our wine tasting began by sampling their whites: “Gigi,” a blend of a local Malvasia and Bellone grapes; their Frascati Superiore; and a standard Frascati. They have a limited red wine selection, so we tasted their “Tre Vecchie” reserve. We ended with some homemade grappa and a dessert wine called Fragolino.

Because they do not have a restaurant, we ended up driving 25 minutes to the town of Genzano, also located in the Castelli Romani region. We had a wonderful lunch at the small osteria Pietrino e Renata.

What I liked about this winery was its homey feeling. I felt like I was visiting a friend and drinking their wines. There was no "attitude," as some of the more well-known and prestigious Tuscan wineries have, and no pressure to purchase wine—although I did buy a mixed case of wine and olive oil. My friend who has a restaurant in Rome ended up ordering it for their restaurant.