By Catia Giorni
Some dreams are born quietly, kept close to the heart for years before finding the courage to become reality. It was March 15, 2015, when Marco and Irina decided to bring theirs to life: transforming a historic meeting place in Calzolaro, a small hamlet of Umbertide, into a restaurant capable of offering high-quality cuisine while making every guest feel at home. At the beginning, it was far from an easy challenge. Today, eleven years later, we can say it without hesitation: that challenge has been more than won. Volpelli has become one of the most well-known restaurants in Umbria and the Tuscan Valtiberina, a reference point for those who appreciate good food and genuine atmospheres.
What is the secret? The tireless passion of Marco and Irina, their professionalism, their constant attention to every detail—and above all, to people. Because at Volpelli, you are never just a customer: you are a guest. That is why more and more people choose this restaurant for a dinner with friends, a romantic evening, a special celebration, or even a quick lunch without compromising on taste and quality.
As they celebrate this important milestone of eleven years in business, Marco and Irina first and foremost want to say thank you. Thank you to those who walked through their door once and then came back. Thank you to those who travelled miles just to sit at one of their tables. Thank you to those who, with a kind word or a heartfelt review, gave them the strength to keep believing in their dream.
And it is precisely the words of their guests that best describe what Volpelli represents. Like this review from September 2025, written by a group of loyal customers from Castel del Piano:
“For your endless kindness, for your genuine simplicity that enriches both heart and soul, for your exquisite food that delights every palate, for the way you immediately found a place in our hearts. Thank you, because you are not just restaurateurs but ‘artists’ who know how to bring smiles to people. With deepest respect.”
Others simply say: “We didn’t take photos of the dishes because we ate everything straight away,” “The colours and flavours of Umbria come straight to your palate,” “Sublime truffle—the best white truffle we’ve ever had… we drove an hour and a half to get here, and it was worth it!”, or again: “What a spectacle! Here you may encounter His Majesty, the Truffle!”
Spontaneous words that speak of emotions even before dishes.
And in truth, it takes only a moment after stepping inside to understand why. You are welcomed by a warm, enveloping atmosphere, sincere smiles, and the intense aroma of truffle—the undisputed star of the menu and a symbol of a rich and generous land.
The experience begins with appetizers, where torta al testo, the queen of Umbrian tradition, is a must—perfect for enhancing carefully selected cured meats and cheeses. Then come the first courses, featuring strictly handmade pasta: tagliatelle, agnolotti, ravioli, to be paired with your favourite sauces. Among Marco’s recommendations are the gnocchi with Sagrantino, one of the restaurant’s most beloved dishes—some guests return specifically to enjoy them again.
Then come the meats, sourced from carefully selected farms: sliced beef topped with porcini mushrooms or truffle, and roasts—the true signature of the house—also prepared on request to make any occasion special. And before leaving the table, it is almost impossible to resist Irina’s desserts: tiramisu, panna cotta, crema catalana… each one a promise fulfilled.
An experience like this deserves to be accompanied by a wine worthy of it. Marco personally curates the selection: alongside well-known labels, there is room for lesser-known but exceptional wines—small discoveries capable of surprising even the most discerning palates. Even the presentation reflects this attention to detail: the wine list is housed in an elegant wooden menu, with a dedicated card for each label, designed to guide guests in making the perfect choice.
It is precisely this care, this almost artisanal attention to every detail, that makes every meal at Volpelli an experience that stays in the heart before it lingers on the palate. Eleven years after that first day, Marco and Irina’s dream continues to grow, fuelled by the enthusiasm of first-time visitors and the genuine affection of those who return again and again.
Because Volpelli is not just a restaurant. It is a shared story, built on trust, gratitude, and relationships that, over time, have become something far greater than a simple meal out.
Trattoria Volpelli, Via Cortonese, 14 – Umbertide (PG)
E-mail: irina.caproni@hotmail.it / www.trattoriadavolpelli.com
Tel. 075 9302305 / 333 8231350