The Family

The history of the farmhouse, the history of our family

Ours is a large family, with a long tradition behind it.

We are descendants of Marquis AmatiIngolotti and from our ancestors, in addition to the farmhouse, we inherited the innate fascination for its surrounding lands where we come from.

Casale Amati was, and still is, our treasure chest of traditions, holidays, stories, discoveries, nature and so on.

For all of us – grandparents, sons and nephews – the best memories here in the farmhouse in Ortonovo are the ones centred around long and cheerful days spent in the big garden and the open-air lunches with omelettes made using freshly picked wild garlic flowers served on long tables together with relatives, teachers, friends and musicians. The ice-water swims in the Parmignola’s creek, collecting walnuts and hazelnuts, the grape harvests, the mornings spent in company, the games played in the green, the walks…

About 20 years ago, the joy generated from sharing and promoting the territory brought us at the beginning of this adventure to the world of hospitality.

The first two to have transformed this big old farmhouse into a holiday house were Manuela and Roberto, a geologist and a retired math teacher, that nowadays take great pride in seeing their sons and nephews carry on the history of Casale Amati.

Federica, a teacher, takes care of the decor and runs the house with passion.

Her brother Enrico, computer programmer and marble sculptor, is the one that dedicates himself to the garden and to the numerous different plants that a third-generation uncle of the Panfilo Ingolotti, planted there in the early 1900s.

Livia and Valerio Massimo, the daughter and son of Federica, are currently university students but, between lessons and exams, they have a lot of fun giving a helping hand to keep the farmhouse ticking over.

Last, but not least, Mrs. Rina must be considered part of the family, a witty and nice old woman who knows the history of this farmhouse better than anyone else, since she has been living here for all her life.

If you are up to it, she can reveal to you the secrets about how the process of olive oil making was back in the day.

Casale amati

Reviews

DIEGO B.

Un prezioso angolo di eleganza.
Abbiamo alloggiato nel Casale per il ponte del 1 maggio, con altre due famiglie, prendendo 2 delle 3 strutture contigue che formano il Casale. Ogni struttura è definita da uno stile proprio e molto curato nei dettagli, lasciando inalterate le suggestioni di quando era la residenza estiva dei proprietari.
Federica, la proprietara, vi conquesterà immediatamente per la sua gentilezza e la passione che trasmette nel racconto sulle origini della struttura. Un perfetto rifugio se il desiderio è quello di vivere autenticamente e senza eccessi, la zona già di per se stessa è meravigliosa.
Grazie di tutto!!

Diego B. Roma, Italia (Marchesa&Macine)

REVIEWED ON TRIPADVISOR.COM

ELISABETH N.

Simply Perfect
A perfect place to stay in with your family and/or friends. From the outside the old olive-oil mill may not look like much but inside you realize that you have stepped into a castle. It is a grand old place with parts of the mill still showing it one of the two great kitchens. There are plenty of rooms to choose from, the upper rooms with AC and down below cool enough for a hot summer. The garden is very pretty, with gold-fish in the dam, plenty of room to relax. The house is situated in the foothills of the mountains, but not far from the sea. There is plenty to do in the area and I cannot enough stress that you need to see this place and realize you will want to come back. The hostess is very pleasant and helpful, a very nice encounter.

Elisabeth Nyköping, Svezia (Marchesa&Macine).

REVIEWED ON TRIPADVISOR.COM

FEDRIGO ORLEANS

L’endroit où nous sentons chez nous.
Il Casale Amati est devenu notre lieu de référence en Italie que nous fréquentons beaucoup. Son emplacement entre mer et petite montagne, le bon goût de la restauration de cet ancien pressoir ,le calme, les ressources de la région font que nous nous sentons chez nous ! et si l’on ajoute la charmante hospitalité des propriétaires…..nous n’avons pas les mots pour continuer.

Fedrigo Orléans, France (Le Macine)

REVIEWED ON HOMEAWAY.COM

GIROT N.

Une magnifique maison.
Nous avons passé un week end de 4 jours en famille dans cette superbe maison. Nous avons tous été bluffés de la beauté de cet endroit et de la place que nous avions. Les photos sont conformes à la réalisté, c’est tout aussi atypique, original ! Ortonovo est un petit village paisible ou le calme est au rendez-vous. Très agréable pour se reposer après une journée très occupée au 5 terres par exemple ! Proche de la mer en voiture, je conseille à tout le monde de découvrir cet endroit !

Girot Thonon Les Bains, Francia (La Marchesa) 

REVIEWED ON ABRITEL.FR

KIRK S.

Very cool place- takes you back in time!
Great place, the grounds alone should make you want to stay here! Federica was a fabulous host! My kids didn’t want to leave. Easy access to Tuscan hill towns or the 5 Terre!

REVIEWD ON HOMEAWAY.COM

MARKUS AMBURGO

Just Excellent, historical and authentic.
We stayed in this wonderful old olive mill several days together with our family including 3 kids. So we had both flats on the 1st floor which are connected by a door. So it was just one big flat then with 2 bathrooms, two kitchens and 6 bedrooms in total. We used just 5 bedrooms. The whole house is nicely decorated with old furniture/antique furniture in good condition besides modern aspects, especially wifi, TV with obviously every available channel of the world, and for sure a well equipped kitchen including dishwasher. Everything was clean and the whole house and every room is very cosy. We didn’t use the very big garden behind the house due to the bad weather we had in November. But in summer it must just be wonderful to have a BBQ on the terrace. The service is also very good. The owner explained us everything regarding the old house and how the oil was produced. There are many historical parts of the old oil production system still visible. That makes this house and especially the flat “LA Macine” a very particular and authentic place. We got also many recommendations for what we can do and visit around. Thanks for the amazing stay and your support in our situation. Hope we come back one day.

Markus Amburgo, Germania (Marchesa&Macine)

REVIEWED ON TRIPADVISOR.COM

RUTH M.

Awesome, unique adventure!
Wonderful host, wonderful unique accommodations! The apartment had all the amenities we need plus some extra and it was so unique and charming. It was fun stepping back in history. We will always treasure our stay here. It was very nicely decorated and the beds were very comfortable. The grounds were also very nice. We highly recommend this rental!

Ruth M. London, Ontario (Le Macine) 

REVIEWED ON VRBO.COM

SUZANA L.

Unforgettable birthday party in La Marchesa!
We were quite a big party with 6 adults who came to celebrate my birthday in La Marchesa. Such a beautiful house with a lot of space! Large bedrooms, kitchen and not least the wonderful barbecue garden. The house has a working Wifi which for us was important. From Ortonovo it is easy and close to reach Cinque Terre, La Specia, Pisa and Via Reggio. One day we went out to Tuscany, eat lunch in the wonderful Vignamaggio (birthday house of Mona Lisa) and spend some hours in Florence. After intense excursions coming back to the quiet place and bird songs in La Marchesa, felt very luxurious. Highly recommended accommodation. We are coming back!

Suzana L.(La Marchesa)

REVIEWED ON HOMEAWAY.COM