Gambero Rosso 2026 Italian Restaurant Preview: Abbamele, Uma, La Trota & Il Vizio at Monte Vibiano

Posted by Rowena Dumlao Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 10/05/2025

Gambero Rosso 2026 Italian Restaurant Preview: Abbamele, Uma, La Trota & Il Vizio at Monte Vibiano

In anticipation of the Gambero Rosso 2026 Restaurant Guide, an exclusive preview event brought together some of Italy’s most acclaimed chefs and wineries for a curated tasting experience. The evening featured signature dishes from Osteria Abbamele, Uma, La Trota, and Il Vizio, each thoughtfully paired with Monte Vibiano’s organically certified wines. Guests were invited to experience a dialogue between culinary innovation and terroir-driven wines, where each plate reflected the chefs’ vision and each glass highlighted the estate’s dedication to sustainability, biodiversity, and regional authenticity. The dinner offered a rare opportunity to savor the creativity, technique, and tradition that define contemporary Italian cuisine at its finest.

Monte Vibiano rises on a hill in Umbria, crowned by its 1st-century castle and surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and centuries-old woods. The Fasola Bologna family, originally from Tuscany, settled in the region in the early 1700s, becoming prominent landowners and dedicating themselves to wine and olive oil production — a passion that has remained their defining hallmark. Guided by Andrea Fasola Bologna, whose vision of sustainability and respect for nature shaped the estate’s modern identity, Monte Vibiano continues to embody the values of innovation and care for the land.

Today, Andrea’s children, Maria Camilla and Lorenzo, lead the estate, cultivating 22 hectares of vineyards to produce elegant, organically certified wines from Grechetto, Trebbiano Spoletino, and Sangiovese. On 29 September 2025, Monte Vibiano hosted the Gambero Rosso 2026 restaurant preview, where its wines were paired with dishes from four acclaimed restaurants, showcasing both the richness of its terroir and the family’s forward-looking approach to viticulture.

Il Vizio (Perugia Umbria)

Il Vizio, in Perugia, combines sushi and Mediterranean cuisine in a contemporary space. Chef Marco Gargaglia, born in 1983, brings a diverse perspective shaped by his experiences in local and international kitchens. The menu features traditional sushi, fusion creations, and contemporary Mediterranean dishes, highlighting seasonal, high-quality ingredients and careful technique. Through this interplay of oriental influences and regional flavors, Il Vizio delivers a dining experience that is both innovative and elegant, reflecting Gargaglia’s dedication to research and culinary exploration. For the evening, the chef presented red shrimp from Mazara, umeboshi, almonds, and shiso, exemplifying the restaurant’s attention to flavor balance and creativity.

Osteria Abbamele (Mamoiada, Sardinia)

Osteria Abbamele is a contemporary trattoria in Mamoiada, a small town in Sardinia’s Nuoro province, known for its Cannonau vineyards and the traditional mamuthones masks. Founded by chef Mauro Ladu and his wife Sara Tavolacci, the restaurant embraces a modern yet essential approach to Sardinian cuisine, where dishes are deliberately minimalist and ingredients are sourced directly from local farmers, shepherds, and butchers. With an intimate seating arrangement, Abbamele has become a culinary destination, attracting visitors willing to navigate winding mountain roads for a meal that is both authentic and refined. For the evening, the chef presented fregola with Sardinian flowers, ragù di cortile, and bay leaves, highlighting the delicate flavors and craftsmanship of the cuisine.

La Trota (Rivodutri, Lazio)

La Trota, just outside Rivodutri (Rieti), rests beside the Santa Susanna stream, with a small wooden bridge and a serene garden creating a picturesque setting. Established in the 1960s by Emilio and Rolanda Serva as a modest trattoria, it evolved into one of Italy’s most celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants under their sons, Sandro and Maurizio, who introduced freshwater fish to haute cuisine. Today, the brothers remain in the kitchen while the next generation, Amedeo and Michele, oversee the dining room as sommeliers, bringing vitality and expert guidance to the experience. For the evening, the chef prepared trout with blackberries, porcini mushrooms, and sunchokes, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to seasonality and refined technique.

Uma (Rome, Lazio)

Uma, located in Garbatella, Rome, is the creation of chefs Matteo Taccini and Luigi Senese, both born in 1992. The restaurant is distinguished for its focus on single-ingredient dishes, grilled meats, and fermentation, supported by a dedicated lab on site, merging traditional skill with modern techniques. The minimalist dining room, featuring a striking pink wall and long central bar, reflects the establishment’s cosmopolitan energy. Guests can select an à la carte menu or an eight-course surprise tasting menu, where local heritage intersects with global influences inspired by the chefs’ experience at kitchens such as Noma and Albert Adrià’s Tickets. For the evening, the chefs crafted their signature Pomodoro, showcasing tomatoes in multiple preparations and consistencies, from grilled to fermented, demonstrating precision and inventiveness.