Minardi Historic Winery Tours — Attraction in Frascati

I visited the Minardi Wineyard two years ago with my friend, and comparing it to how it was back then, I must say the Minardi family, the vineyard, and the olive groves are still absolutely fantastic. They welcome guests with warmth and care, which I believe is deeply appreciated by everyone. This time, they even prepared a small cake for several guests who were celebrating birthdays, which was a lovely touch! However, what brings my overall rating down is the food experience. When my friend and I visited in 2022, the dining experience was much more impressive. There was a wider variety of antipasti (prosciutto, bresaola, carpaccio, caprese, etc.), several types of cheese, and an appetizer that was absolutely delicious (if I remember correctly, it was made with black beans, parmesan, and something else). After that, we each received individually plated main courses, beautifully presented. We didn’t have to ask to refill the wine, and those who wanted extra servings of food were welcome to request more. This time, I brought part of my family — my wife and daughter — and I was honestly disappointed ☹. The food experience was not good at all! There was no proper antipasti; instead, we were served a small piece of sausage, a bit of cheese, and some jam/honey. The dishes we prepared were all served together on a single plate, which did not look appealing at all. The “soup” or whatever it was supposed to be was very underwhelming. The only good dish was the ravioli, but we were only served three pieces each, even though we made five per person during the course. I understand that offering a lavish spread can be costly and demanding for the owners, but the food experience is a major part of this activity. The cooking class itself is a fun experience, but it’s not something to cut back on — If necessary, raise the price or implement alternatives, such as sending out digital forms in advance to collect preferences for the products you...

A very memorable day at Minardi Frascati Winery!

Our day started off with a very easy train ride out of Rome to Frascati. Alfredo welcomed us as soon as we got off the train. We began the tour at one of the Minardi family restaurants where we were greeted by Chef Loredana who skillfully guided us through our pasta making session. Her love for cooking and pasta making is contagious! Following the lesson, we were picked up and taken to the family vineyard where we were given a tour by the family wine maker, Umberto and his furry friend, Tobia. The charming property is beautiful and full of history. We were served breakfast on the family’s veranda overlooking the countryside. The sweeping view reached all the way to Rome's city center. Here we sampled wine and were served a farmer's breakfast of fresh figs, breads, cheeses, honey, pizzas. Alfredo gave the group a wine tasting lesson and guided us through tasting three of their wines. As a final treat, we were invited to sample the family's olive oil. We ended our day back at the restaurant where Chef Loredana prepared our pasta. The meal started with a great selection of cheeses, prosciutto, salami and mortadella. The main course consisted of our linguine pasta with a traditional tomato sauce and our gnocchi served with a delicious truffle sauce. The meal ended with dessert and coffee. Our tour group was small and by the time we left, we all felt like friends. I'd highly recommend this experience to anyone. It's a great way to easily escape Rome for a bit and have a very authentic experience in the Italian countryside. (Not to mention, a...

Had the most magical day here! My father and I both agree that this is a must-do if you are in or near Rome. We attended the wine tour and pasta making class. I highly recommend this option as it was such a perfect cultural experience. Chef Luigi and Alfredo patiently instructed us and provided practical tips for all of our future pasta making endeavors. We were then taken on a beautiful tour of the vineyard by Nic. The scenic views provided a picturesque setting to learn about the process of growing grapes and producing wine. To finish up our lesson, we met the charming Umberto in the wine cellar to learn about the way wine was made in previous generations. We loved hearing the stories about his life and learning some of the history behind Minardi Winery. We wrapped up our day with a celebratory meal and wine tasting alongside the other groups. The chefs expertly prepared the pasta we made and although I might be biased, it was the best meaI I had while in Italy! 😉 While the experience itself was incredibly fun, what really makes the Minardi Winery such a special, warm place is the family and their staff. They made us feel like friends rather than tourists and for that we are truly grateful. This is one of those days you will look fondly back on for years to come. If you have the opportunity to visit the Minardi Winery and the beautiful people who run it, do...