Rome Countryside: Private Wine Tasting & Family Lunch Tour

Roman hills, old vines, family laughter and honest flavors

You’ll leave Rome behind for a day in Castelli Romani’s hills, meeting winemakers whose family has worked these vines since 1712. Walk the vineyard with your guide, taste local wines paired with homemade food, and share laughter around their table—then return to the city carrying those flavors (and maybe a few new words) with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wine tasting in Castelli Romani hills

• Travel from Rome to Castelli Romani
• Visit historic family-owned winery
• Stroll through sun-drenched vineyards
• Learn traditional and modern winemaking
• Enjoy wine tasting and food pairing

The Experience

I’ll admit, I was a little nervous when our driver pulled off the main road from Rome and the city noise faded behind us. The Castelli Romani hills looked almost too perfect—like something out of an old movie. But then we turned up this gravel driveway and there was Nonna Lucia waving at us from the doorway, apron on and hair pinned back. I still laugh thinking about how she shooed her grandson away from the bread basket before we’d even sat down.

The winery itself is older than anything I’ve ever lived in—since 1712, apparently. Our guide, Marco (who’s part of the family), walked us through rows of Frascati vines while telling stories about his great-grandfather sneaking sips as a kid. The sun was warm but not heavy, and you could smell wild herbs mixed with the earth. We tried to pronounce “Malvasia” properly—Li laughed when I tried to say it in Italian. Probably butchered it.

Inside, they poured us three wines—each paired with something local: salty pecorino, fresh olive oil on crusty bread, these little cured meats that disappeared way too fast. It wasn’t fancy, just good. The room was cool and smelled faintly of barrels and rosemary. At one point Marco’s uncle popped his head in just to check if we needed more cheese (we did). There’s something about sharing food like that—it makes you feel like you belong for an afternoon.

On the drive back to Rome I kept thinking about how different it felt from any other wine tour I’d done—less polished maybe, but warmer somehow. If you want a day trip from Rome that feels like stepping into someone’s family story (with real wine and real people), this is it.

Top questions

How far is Castelli Romani from Rome?

The Castelli Romani hills are just outside Rome, reachable by private transportation included in the tour.

Is this wine tasting tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, all levels are welcome—you’ll learn directly from local winemakers in an informal setting.

Are food pairings included during the wine tasting?

Yes, local products like cheese, olive oil, and meats are paired with each wine.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel in Rome?

Private round-trip transportation from Rome is included in your booking.

Can children join this wine tasting tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants and small children can join with prams or specialized seats available.

How long has the winery been operating?

The family-owned winery has been established since 1712 in the Frascati region.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the meeting point if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes private round-trip transportation from Rome to Castelli Romani, a guided visit to a historic family-owned winery dating back to 1712, tastings of selected local wines paired with regional foods and olive oil—all shared around the family table before heading back to the city together.