Madre Tuscia 2025 and Agriristorante Il Casaletto

In March, on an unusual rain-laden day, I was invited by Carlo Zucchetti to participate in Madre Tuscia 2025: a dinner event organized to promote the many food and wine productions of this part of the territory, already loaded with history due to the presence of the Etruscans.

To describe well what it was all about, it is necessary for me to tell you extensively about the place where the whole event took place and was created: Agriristorante Il Casaletto in Grotte Santo Stefano. Yes, because without the immeasurable dedication of the Ceccobelli family an event of this magnitude would have been difficult to even think about.

This is because they, with the local Slow Food chapter and the active participation of the Tuscia Provincial Wine Shop, have managed to involve about forty producers from the Tuscia agri-food chain., who provided all the raw materials needed to prepare a splendid menu of more than fifteen courses, for about a hundred people, made in house precisely by the Ceccobelli Family. With Marco in the kitchen being the Oste and his brother Stefano being the norcino, that is, processing the meat from the pigs they raise here in the wild, which they then give to customers, also as delicious cold cuts.

Made in Tuscia

When I tell you that all the raw materials were made in Tuscia, I am not exaggerating: from dry pasta, to vegetables, asparagus, artichokes, pork and rabbit meats, mushrooms, oils, cheeses, and even coffee!!! Yes, just everything was from very short die, say within about 50 kilometers.

Of course, to drink were the wines from some 20 local producers, coordinated by Giuseppe Mottura. But these producers did not only provide their own wines, they also explained and served them to us in person, one by one. That is, each of them had their own reference table and also served and explained the wines of the other producers. It was a beautiful scene of great emotional participation.

Needless to emphasize how everything was good and sincere. It was a real celebration, where the four hours at the table went by like the blink of an eye. And if you think about it, it wasn’t easy at all: a hundred diners, about fifteen courses, and more than twenty wines to be served.

Places worth at least one visit

I am pleased to conclude this piece of mine by telling you that many of us were able to sleep at the Casaletto, either in one of the lovely double rooms or the spacious apartments available to guests. I don’t want to then write about the spectacular breakfast the next morning, otherwise it would take another page!

So, for those of you who think it is difficult to get to this place, know that in addition to eating and drinking of the territory, you can also sleep and in warm weather use its swimming pool. And from here leave for visit this area rich in history, very beautiful towns and beautiful natural resources. Keep in mind, this is a valuable address.

PHOTO GALLERY WINES