AGRITURISMO I MANDORLI
Loc. Fondaccio, 6
06039 Bovara di Trevi (PG)
Phone & Fax +39 0742 78669
Mobile +39 335 1006524
Who
“I Mandorli” is an Agriturismo run only by women, Maria, Alessandra, Sara Zappelli Cardarelli three sisters that with Mamma Wanda’s help, two babies Giulia and Anna, and many animals will welcome you with enthusiasm in their farm.
The Agriturismo is the core of the “Sorelle Zappelli Cardarelli’s farm” which produces extra virgin olive oil. The cultivation of olive trees has been a tradition of the family for many centuries and “l’Antico Frantoio dei Cardarelli” is a testimony of it; it is an oil mill built at the end of 1600, unique in its way, with a big millstone and four wood presses. The 50,00 ha farm produces also cereals, forage, vegetables, fruit and lumber.
The agriturismo is situated in the enchanting position of Trevi landscape, between Foligno and Spoleto, and takes its name by the big almond trees which give shade to the small gardens and stretch out their old branches to the windows, offering a fantastic view during the blossoming (February- March).
Its four farm houses called “Rustici” are part of the old structure, a typical Umbrian farm as it was considered during the early years of 19th century where near the patronal house there were the homes of those who worked for the agricultural industry: cellars, oil mill, garden and stalls.
Some of the houses have been restored using old fashioned materials: stones, bricks, and wood, respecting the original structure and guaranteeing the greatest comfort required by the everyday life. There are three rooms and three apartments.
During the stay guests can have beautiful walks or mountain bike rides on the hills or in the forest, read in the small library provided with many Italian and English books and magazines, play at ping pong, fish in the Clitunno River, or ride horses in a near riding-school; play bowls on the bowling green of Borgo Trevi, or play tennis and swim in the swimming pools of Trevi and Campello sul Clitunno.
During the year in the neighboring towns there are many cultural and sporting fairs and festivals, in which guests can relax and enjoy themselves, or simply taste old flavors and get to know old traditions.
Children can play in a park fitted out for them and get to know the animals of the farm.
History of the farm
The “Sorelle Zappelli Cardarelli’s Farm” is run by three sisters Maria, Alessandra, and Sara, and it is situated in the hills of Trevi, in the Valle Umbra Sud. The main activity of the 50ha farm is the production of extra virgin olive oil in 15 ha of olive trees cultivated according to organic methods, which excludes chemically produced fertilizers and pesticides. Another important activity is the production of wheat, sunflowers, barley, alfalfa, lentils but also lumber (from the wood of the farm, “Nasciano” where it is possible to relax near a source, listening the voice of nature or walking around to admire the flora and the fauna of this beautiful place and find truffles and mushrooms).
The Zappelli Cardarelli’s Farm exists from generations and it has been handed down from father to son, in this case from father to daughters, in fact in 1996 the current owners inherited the farm from their father; after a first period of dismayed they screwed up their courage and started this big adventure convinced to continue the hard work of the family: “ loving land with all our heart and take roots as the secular olive trees of Trevi did”.
The “I Mandorli” Agriturismo, which is part of the farm, is composed by apartments and rooms connected one each other by stone roads which create like a small village, in Italian called “borghetto”. Some of the buildings have been constructed as houses for the families of the employees and as storehouses for the products by Benedictines who lived in the neighbouring San Pietro Abbey during Middle Age.
The family bought this place in the 18th century improving and restoring it, especially the main house which is a typical example of the old Umbrian “case padronali”.
In this farm everything reminds to past and there are many objects which can prove it: a fresco of Bartolomeo da Miranda (1449), an oil mill dated back to 17th century, and many other things used in everyday life. These objects are not statical in a museum, they “live” and sometimes are useful in the daily works.
Each one of the three sisters has specific tasks but interacts with the others and with their mother so to help each other and create something special!!
Rustico Alessandra
The Alessandra, is a bright, charming apartment, composed by two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a living room and a fireplace.
Rustico Alice
The Alice, is a lovely ground floor building. It is composed by three bedrooms, with private bathrooms.
Rustico Maria
The Maria, once a shepherd’s house, is now a charming two floors apartment. It is composed by two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen combined with living area and a fireplace.
Rustico Sara
The Sara, is a lovely ground floor apartment. It is composed by a bedroom, a bathroom and a kitchen combined with living room and a fireplace.
The Tasting Room
In the tasting room it is not possible to have meals every day, but only breakfast. However, during the year, the family organizes special moments to taste traditional plates and products of the farm. The room opens its large glass windows on to a small portico which gives on the Valle Spoletina. During the summer evenings, it is very charming to see the fantastic and illuminate foreshortening of the famous Rocca Albornoziana in Spoleto.
Inside this room there is a big fireplace; during the cold autumn evenings it is very pleasant to warm up by the fire and talk drinking a glass of “Sagrantino” wine (a typical red wine), or taste some own made liquors.
Mamma Wanda prepares typical jams using local and home made products. She is at guests’ disposal for those who want to know more about the recipes, the history and the tales of these jams.
Breakfast is composed by a buffet of typical cakes such as “ciambellone”, “ciambelline di anici”, jam tart, biscuits, buns and jams (made with fruit which grows in our garden: “visciole”, queens, pomegranate). Cooking classes are organized on request.
The Spring time is a very pleasant moment for our Agriturismo in fact, the Easter Sunday it is possible to taste the typical Easter breakfast composed by eggs, cold cuts, pizza di formaggio, ricotta, pizza pasquale dolce and drink a very good red wine.
It is possible to discover the hard work of country, its simplicity and the harmony of agricultural life taking part in different seasonal activities of the year .
Oil mill
The “I Mandorli” Agriturismo is a small “borghetto” where it is possible to admire “l’Antico Frantoio dei Cardarelli” an old oil mill of the 17th century situated close to the main house.
The oil mill has been used by the family until 1920, it is unique in its genre because it is set up by four wood presses and a big millstone very well kept. It is certainly one of the few remained in the centre of Italy. In 2000 the oil mill was restructured using only old materials and techniques to maintain the original connotations of the building.
The old oil mill is at disposal of those who want to see it in order to jump into the past and understand the evolution of techniques to produce olive oil in a pleasant warm atmosphere. The old millstone moved by a donkey and the four presses moved only by the strength of men are very different from the modern instruments used to extract oil!
Visits have to be booked in advance at +39074278669. It is also possible to taste the extra virgin olive oil eating a bruschetta and other typical products.
Organic Extra virgin olive oil: “l’Antico Frantoio dei Cardarelli”
Our own extra virgin olive oil “l’Antico Frantoio dei Cardarelli” is obtained by “Muraiolo olives” a typical variety of our valley, grown on our family olive-groves and cultivated according to the organic agriculture. All our olives trees are in the area of Trevi (considered one of the most important place for the production of extra virgin olive oil), which from few years has received the “D.O.P. (Denomination of Protected Origin) Umbria - Colli Assisi-Spoleto”. The harvest period is from October to Dicember when our olives are picked up by hand and pressed “a freddo” (cold pressed) within 24 hours to obtain an extra virgin olive oil characterized by an intense perfume of fresh olives, by a “verde smeraldo” color, and a flavour of consistent fruit with a sharp bitter and piquant sensation.
It is possible to buy own products of the farm: organic extra virgin olive oil, lentils, jams, and also to have them shipped in and out Italy.
Where
By car
. From Rome:
A1 exit Orte. Motorway to Terni- Spoleto-Trevi.
. From Firenze:
A1 exit Valdichiana. Motorway to Perugia-Assisi- Foligno-Trevi.
. From Cesena:
motorway to Perugia (E 45) and then follow the signs for Assisi, Foligno, Trevi.
Reach the exit Trevi-Montefalco and follow the signs for Bovara or the signs for the Agriturismo.
By train
-From Roma: line Roma-Ancona to Trevi or Spoleto.
-From Firenze: line Terontola-Foligno to Trevi or Foligno.