A family-run hotel
that captures the heart
Christiane’s parents moved to the small Umbrian village of Panicale in 1995, and it became the family’s refuge where she often returned to recharge her batteries, first alone, then with her own husband and children. Themselves having worked in the food and beverages industries, Christiane and Berny started to dream about opening their own hotel—and found their dream site in Panicale’s palazzo that villagers had long hoped would be restored. A true labor of shared love ensued, both of the Wassmann family, with Christiane’s mother as the hotel and gardens’ sustainability pioneer and the Panicalese villagers, who have been involved every step of the way.
People & place
Amid a life lived all over the world from Nicaragua to the United States and Germany, Christiane has been rooted to family her whole life, working first with her father, opening a brewery with her husband and now working closely with her mother on Rastrello. With this warmth and hospitality in her background, Christiane has embraced an incredible team of locals through Rastrello—and she ultimately wants for the team to grow together. Her dream? To work with team members for 20 years and more.
The olive trees that have been on the property for up to 400 years are central to every aspect of life here—from maintaining the farm and soil all the way to fallen branches being woven into baskets by local craftsman Oscar Menicaglia. The olive trees are a symbol and manifestation of Rastrello's multi-layered relationship with the land, its people, and culture.
to Panicale’s own cookbook
Since the hotel opened its doors, we have held a monthly shared pasta meal for guests, locals, staff, and family, called Spaghettata. Over time, this meal evolved into a cookbook, collecting the favorite pasta dishes of Panicale's Nonnas and a few Nonnos. Gathered through interviews, including from the village nursing home, the book celebrates hyperlocal Umbrian recipes.
Buy cookbook
