I was based in Rome for the month, and my friend told me about this Harvest and Feast experience that she was working on in Sorrento. Travelling from Rome to Naples and then onto Sorrento by train was easy, so I thought, why not? I had the weekend free and decided to travel south to check it out. The experience was hosted at Casa Melangolo.
A beautiful guesthouse crafted from volcanic tufo stone dating back to the 1800s and is surrounded by lush gardens filled with lemon and olive trees with views of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples.
The experience started at 11am with coffee on the terrace overlooking the beautiful Sorrento up in the Sorrento Hills. Of course, the non-Italian guests are on time ;) with the local guests slowly arriving around 11:30 am-12 pm, all with con calma, as they say, with calm.
This is a place where you go to unwind, disconnect, and truly embrace the beauty that surrounds you. There's no agenda other than being present in the moment.
The day's highlight is the "Harvest and Feast" experience with Casa’s agronomist and Chef Martin Planchaud. We are introduced to the traditional methods of olive harvesting—using hands to gently pluck olives from their branches, a practice now largely replaced by modern tools like olive shakers and rakes.
After our hands-on learning, we stroll through the fragrant lemon groves to enjoy a refreshing aperitivo of gin & tonics, crafted from lemons picked straight from the trees. Accompanied by thin, crispy crackers, we savour the estate's olive oil—a bold, spicy elixir that leaves a zing on the palate.
With our G&Ts finished, we stroll to lunch, where a picture-perfect table awaits us under the sun. Set in the garden, we gather for a feast featuring a menu curated by Bordeaux Chef Martin Planchaud, complemented by an abundance of natural wines. This long lunch is more than just a meal—it's a celebration of social connection, new friendships, and shared stories, where guests from Naples, Sorrento, Tokyo, Belgium, and France come together in a tapestry of cultures and camaraderie.
This experience was all about social connection, culinary exploration, and the joy of meeting kindred spirits from around the globe. The day at Casa Melangolo etches unforgettable memories into the heart, leaving us enriched by the beauty of the place and the warmth of its people.
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