Merumalia

Who they are

Merumalia is a family estate in the hills of Frascati, with organically farmed vineyards and olive trees, on a slope with a view of Rome and the Castelli Romani. It belongs to the Fusco family, who opened it to visitors to share the estate and what it produces; Giulia and Luigi Fusco themselves receive the groups. The centre of the estate is a century-old farmhouse, where they rent four apartments.

What they grow

The estate mainly works the native white varieties of the Frascati area: Malvasia del Lazio, Malvasia puntinata, Greco Bianco and Bombino, and champions their conservation. With them it makes the wines of the area's denominations: the Terso, a Frascati DOC; the Primo and Primo Riserva, Frascati Superiore DOCG, and the Canto, a Cannellino di Frascati DOCG, the traditional sweet white of the place. It also has Roma DOC reds, the Vetus and the Vetus Riserva, IGP Lazio varietal whites of Greco, Bombino, Malvasia puntinata and Fiano, a Syrah, a Cannellino grappa and extra virgin olive oil from Castelli Romani varieties.

Visits and experiences

The wine tour lasts about an hour and a half: vineyard, cellar, an explanation of the winemaking and of organic working, and a guided tasting of three wines and an extra virgin olive oil with a board of organic cured meats and cheeses. They adapt it to each group. They also organise Roman cookery classes, food and wine experiences, yoga, company meetings, weddings, cultural events and private parties. They do not publish prices, fixed times or cancellation conditions: these are agreed when booking, via the website form, by email or by phone. The website is in Italian and English.

Sleeping on the estate

The four apartments in the farmhouse differ in size, shape and decoration, and all look out over the valley of vineyards and towards Rome. They admit families with children, people with reduced mobility and small pets, and on request prepare lunches and dinners with traditional recipes and local produce, for guests only. They do not publish rates.

Getting there

The estate is at Vicolo di Prataporci, 8, in the countryside of the municipality of Frascati, about 30 minutes by car from Rome, 25 from Ciampino airport and 45 from Fiumicino. The most practical way is to go by car; if you go by train to Frascati, ask when booking how to get there from the station.