Visited 30 Nov. 2017 thru 09 Dec. 2017. Our second visit here, first stay for a few nights April 2016.
Just outside Assisi, Le Mandrie (the herd) is a foundation to roof restoration of a 13c building situated
approx. 900ft up the slope of Mount Subasio overlooking the patchwork fields of the Umbrian valley.
The hosts,brothers Alex & Andrea Damiani & staff have committed their lives to producing the finest products one can coax from the Umbrian soil. Olives & its oil gathered from thousands of trees & pressed in their 21st c. mill, grains from their fields, lamb,chicken,pork,vegetables,miele,etc,etc...nearly all food we ate for breakfast, lunch(weekends) & dinner (730pm) harvested from their farm, or their neighbors. Pure.
All watered from Mount Subasio. We observed on our visits most folks purchasing olive oil,wine,miele,
sacks of potatoes,salamis jams,etc.. from Le Mandrie. Mostly Italians staying or eating here so of course we were envious as they could load their vehicles with the farms bounty and merely suitcase transport for us.
The sleeping quarters --clean spacious room, quality bed & linens, most rooms have windows to the Umbrian valley below. Handicapped accessible, concrete ramps,ground level rooms too. We were on 1st
floor w. a kitchenette that had huge shutter door windows overlooking the valley.
Le Mandrie's dining room is a step back in time(good times) when folks gathered to eat, drink, read aloud, play music, in an setting framed by wood beam ceilings, terracotta tile floors, candlelit tables ringed by the
smiling approval of attentive staff . Chef Gino is an artist, ask about Otto's Cloud.
There is energy here. On two separate occasions, ironically both times during Friday night dinners, we witnessed a reading of Italian literature by several folks up from Perugia, we dont understand much Italian yet it was beautiful nonetheless. The second occasion folks were up from Bari for a pre-wedding dinner. As dinner worked its was towards desert, an accordian, acoustic guitar & cardboard box (used to ship cans of olive oil) came alive from the hands of three men who played southern Italian folks songs with many in the wedding party singing along. Powerful moment. And then desert. Just beautiful.
Oh, yeah...and to walk their land. Stunning situation on the slopes of Mount Subasio, 40 minute hike to
St. Francesco's Hermitage, La Carceri, or head up to the summit. Listen to real country music. Wind,
dogs barking in distance, churchbells, cawing of crows,rustling of olive trees. I'm still there.
Le Mandrie folks have worked tirelessly in creating an experience for travelers that incorporates modern techniques with antica methods of working the land, and providing top shelf service. Bravo!
Le Mandrie and its staff are the real deal. Read the welcome page on their website. No hyperbole. A rarity.
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