Gambero Rosso - Mangia Bene Low Cost

Few things, but all excellent: this is the philosophy behind Nicola Santoro's young establishment. There’s no kitchen, but carefully prepared dishes paired with the finest wines and beers from the area. High-quality bread and olive oil form the base of the crunchy garden panzanella. Also on offer: the "Orbetello Fishermen’s" tasting plate and a rich cheese fondue with crunchy bread for colder days. Nicola also welcomes you for an aperitif and offers a few good books for those who wish to stay longer.

Maremma Magazine

The cultural program at Cantina L’Ottava Rima in Sorano is earning great acclaim. With exhibitions, book launches, shows, performances, and concerts, it stands as the last bastion of a traditional culture seeking new spaces in which to express itself.

Annegriet Camilla Sporndle

Lonely Planet

Founded in 2004 as a wine shop and later becoming a wine tavern, L’Ottava Rima is a charming place carved into the tuff. Perfect for sampling local wines and enjoying simple yet high-quality Maremma dishes like their €12 tasting platters.

Foodies 2013

Visiting the beautiful village of Sorano is a must in the area. Our suggestion? Grab a bite at Nicola Santoro’s venue. A passionate researcher of local flavors, he offers small, freshly prepared tastings of Maremma. In summer, don’t miss the classic Tuscan panzanella; in winter, enjoy the cheese fondue. Try the “Orbetello Fishermen’s” platter with preserved palamita, marinated eel, mullet roe, and smoked fish. Add some craft beers, local wine, and maybe a good book.

Travel + Leisure

A drive through the Etruscan villages of Pitigliano, Sovana, and Sorano makes a pleasant road trip. From Saturnia, head 30 minutes west to Sovana. Drive another 15 minutes northwest to Sorano and hike the labyrinth of narrow streets to the Orsini Fort, followed by a glass of organic Sovana Rosso wine at L'Ottava Rima.

Il Mangiarozzo

Walking down Via del Borgo, you stumble upon a small and magical osteria—seemingly the hideout of a dreamer, if not a madman, given the abandoned state of the town center. “L’Ottava Rima” reads the sign on the narrow alley. Crossing its threshold, you enter a uniquely welcoming space, where tuff bricks blend into the raw tuff stone itself, leading to the ancient, humid cellar carved deep into the rock Sorano stands on. The venue could not have been reborn in a more evocative way. Nicola, sommelier and tireless curator of traditional gastronomic rarities, offers cold or reheated dishes—though some hot items are becoming permanent additions. Thanks to his direct relationships with local producers, he can offer guests rare delights, such as the fantastic "Mezzosale", a carpaccio of Limousine or Maremmana beef cured with salt and aromatic herbs.

Bianco, Rosso e Veronelli (STAMPA ALTERNATIVA)

Veronelli believed wine was the love song of the Earth to the sky—and that wines are not good or bad, but either bring joy or don’t. Together with Pablo Echaurren, he wrote passionately and provocatively about wine and food from the pages of "Carta" magazine. In one article, he makes an exception to his own drinking rules to toast L’Ottava Rima, Nicola Santoro’s wine shop in Sorano. While the area risks being overrun by fake rural charm and tourist gimmicks, Nicola counters it by seeking out truly atypical products. He resists the hollow idea of “typicality” and its commercial packaging, favoring real tradition, craftsmanship, and the raw beauty of the Maremma. It’s this honest, unfiltered approach that defines L’Ottava Rima.

la Repubblica - RISTORANTI DELLA TOSCANA 2016

Sorano rises up from the tufa rock, and entering the venue is like discovering the soul of the ancient village. The room is cozy and informal, overlooking the Etruscan necropolis of San Rocco. Local producers have found in Nicola, the owner, a passionate ambassador of their stories and philosophy.

Shopping with Slow Food

We are also featured in this guide, on page 388.

25ANS

Hello! This is Kumiko from Italicious. The weather in Tokyo hasn’t been great lately... Last week, I arrived in Italy. This trip began in a small Tuscan village. There’s an ancient thermal spring in Saturnia, dating back 3,000 years, and I help promote the Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort in Japan. While vacationing here, I visited a trattoria opened by Luisa’s partner, a former artist who inherited a historic building from his grandfather. It’s called L’Ottava Rima and it’s located in the charming little village of Sorano.