Villa Cavalletti, in the Castelli Romani just above the Eternal City, offers sustainable rural hospitality and olive oil tastings in the Roman Hills.
Escaping Rome’s crowds to discover rural Italy
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Castelli Romani, in the municipality of Grottaferrata, Villa Cavalletti embodies centuries of history and a vibrant agricultural tradition. Just southeast of the city, this serene estate spans 67 acres of stunning landscapes studded with age-old olive groves and vineyards and offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern comforts. A visit to Villa Cavalletti means discovering ancient lands, savoring fresh-pressed virgin olive oil, and relaxing in comfortable guestrooms, giving visitors a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of Italian rural life. The complex’s roots go back to when the Tusculum area was a Roman settlement. In the 16th century the Cavelletti noble family built the villa which, post-World War II, became the general house of the Jesuit Order where Pope Francis used to attend meetings. Later it became an Academy of Theology under Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI.
The new Museum of Oil: showcasing Italy’s “green gold”
The centerpiece of Villa Cavalletti's revival is the newly restored Villino Rosso, a 17th-century farmhouse, now the Museo dell’Olio, a dedicated space celebrating the olive oil produced on the estate; the "green gold" of the Roman hills which are famous worldwide for their white wine production. "Much like wine tourism, oil tourism demands expertise and infrastructure to convey the millennia-old story of an everyday product," says Villa Cavalletti’s sustainability and development manager Tiziana Torelli, whose family developed the concept and realization of the estate when they acquired it in 2014. 
Museum of Oil - Oil tastings
Tiziana Torelli Expert sommeliers guide the oil tastings
The new museum traces the journey of olive oil from ancient times to modern sustainable practices, with walks through the monumental olive grove which is home to 3,000 trees, and tastings led by expert sommeliers. “Olive oil tourism offers a profound opportunity for Italy's olive-growing regions," says Tiziana Torelli. “On December 7 and 14 we will start two cultural itineraries led by specialized guides. They will be resumed in spring, probably twice daily, for a maximum of 20 people. A day on the estate can include the cultural tour, oil tastings, lunch, dinner and other activities.” These go from e-bike and walking tours in the Castelli Romani hills, to discovering the Renaissance and Baroque Tuscolana villas around Frascati that were part of the 18th-century Grand Tour.
Agritourism accommodations and a new restaurant
The Villa Cavalletti agritourism experience captures the essence of rural Italian luxury, and guests can choose from elegant rooms in the main Accademia building with views over Rome, or in the villas with classic and superior rooms or the two-room unit which has an equipped kitchen. The Villa Cavalletti Restaurant is due to open early in 2025, but guests can avail themselves of the exclusive three-course menus curated by the chef at the nearby Art Bistrot in Villa Grazioli.
Connecting people, heritage, and nature
The estate also has areas dedicated to co-working, for corporate training and team-building events, and classrooms for Frascati’s international lyceum and catering academy. The Torelli family’s mission is to connect visitors with the land and its heritage while preserving and celebrating the region's natural beauty. Theirs is a dedication to regenerative tourism that ensures visitors experience the authenticity of rural Italy, contributing positively to its safeguarding and to the community.
For information: www.villacavalletti.it For Villino Rosso Museum bookings: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
