Tenuta Passonovo sits atop a hill overlooking Orvieto, surrounded by the rolling Umbrian countryside and a garden that blooms throughout the year.

Purchased by my great-grandfather in the early Forties, the estate has remained in our family for generations, gently evolving over the years.

Its soul, however, was shaped most deeply by my grandmother, Raffaella. After a life spent between London, South America, and the United States with my grandfather, a diplomatic, she returned home, bringing with her treasures from around the world. These now fill the house with a unique character; textiles, and objects collected over decades of travel.

The garden is the heart of the house, rich with peonies, roses, dogwoods, azaleas, and dahlias. Walking through it is like moving through the memories of our family, the rhythm of the seasons, and the devoted hands that have tended it and continue to do so, day after day.

We are deeply connected to this home, and it brings us great joy to think that others might come to love it just as much as we do.

Our Story

The House

Tenuta Passonovo is a spacious 650-square-metre hilltop villa set across two welcoming floors, nestled within a two-hectare garden that offers panoramic views over the Umbrian countryside and the historic town of Orvieto.

At the heart of the estate lies a 12 x 6 metre swimming pool overlooking the rolling hills-a perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring the region.

On the ground floor, three inviting living rooms, each with its own fireplace, open directly onto the garden, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

A large dining room with a fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, and a double bedroom with an en-suite bathroom complete this floor.

Upstairs, thanks to the natural slope of the land, the views continue uninterrupted. A spacious living area and five additional en-suite double bedrooms, each featuring either a bath or a shower, make this villa ideal for families or groups of friends.

Halfway between Rome and Florence, perfectly positioned for discovering both Umbria and the Alta Tuscia region, Tenuta Passonovo is just 10 minutes from Orvieto and 20 km from Lake Bolsena. Other nearby treasures include Civita di Bagnoregio, Montefiascone, and Todi.

The Garden

The garden unfolds between the house and the surrounding woodland like a wide green breath. Rather than being a formal garden designed on paper, it is a living space, shaped over time with passion, patience and deep affection.

The acidic soil is ideal for cultivating vibrant, generously flowering plants. My grandmother and now my mother have dedicated much of their time to this space, ensuring that every corner tells a story with beds of azaleas that bloom like little bursts of fireworks, clusters of white, pink and red impatiens, and an abundance of peonies, asters, dahlias, lavender, clematis, rhododendrons and a beautiful collection of different kinds of roses.

However, the garden’s true pride and joy is the dogwood or ‘Cornus florida’ ornamental trees, that throughout the year, change in both appearance and colour.

The garden is the heart of the house. By walking through it one enjoys the passing of the seasons and the hands that have cared for it, and continue to do so, day after day.

The week that we have spent here will stay in our memory for the rest of our lives. The thought that something as delightful and tasteful as this house exists in the world is a source of hope. The fact that we were here is a source of joy.

2025

Thank you so much for welcoming us into your beautiful family home, we felt part of your family’s story.

2025

We hope to come back to that peaceful, full of energy and character place in the future.

2024

How wonderful to spend a week in this little corner of paradise.

2024

We will surely remember the dinner under the wisteria and the stars above us.

2024

Tenuta Passonovo brought laughter and love to our family.

2023

Contact Us

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