Christiane Wasmann
Founder, Rastrello
beautiful and meaningful”
Christiane Wassmann has been a Coral Gables resident since 2012, moving with her husband and young family to plant roots in the City Beautiful. While her children have grown up calling the Gables home, Wassmann’s connection to her home country of Italy remains through her family’s olive groves in Umbria, which have been producing olive oil for over 30 years. On their 2,000-tree estate, Wassmann and her family embrace traditional, sustainable practices to preserve the land’s heritage. “We hand-harvest our olives, use no-till agriculture, and rely on natural irrigation from rainwater,” she says. “It’s all about creating high-quality oil without compromising the health of our groves.” The groves, located in a medieval hilltop town between Rome and Florence, are certified under DOP standards, an Italian distinction that indicates quality and cultural heritage. In 2019, Wassmann rebranded the family olive oil, bringing it to international markets. The following year, she and her husband expanded their vision by opening Rastrello, a boutique hotel in Italy that merges modern amenities with the charm of its historic setting. Each room is named after an olive variety used in their oil, creating a tangible connection between land and guest.
Latest Achievement
Wassmann continues to connect her Italian heritage to her Coral Gables life. She sells her award-winning olive oil at the Coral Gables Farmers Market, where she’s forged meaningful connections with the local community. Her latest venture, the EVOO Lab, is set to elevate the guest experience at Rastrello. The EVOO Lab, built from sustainable shipping containers, will offer immersive olive oil tastings and hands-on activities in the groves. Meanwhile, Rastrello is undergoing renovations to expand to 17 rooms, further enhancing the boutique hotel while preserving the integrity of its 500-year-old structure.
What She Says
“I always remind myself that what we do is about more than just the product – it’s about the care we put into every step, from how we nurture the trees to how we welcome our guests,” says Wassmann. “We’ve created an experience where guests can connect with the olive oil process – whether it’s picking olives during the harvest or walking through the groves to the new EVOO Lab for tastings. It’s all about creating something beautiful and meaningful.” –Amanda Martell