Meet Monica Garbini & Marco Tullio Botti: Cuverie Enoteca in Rome
This beloved Trastevere wine bar feels like walking into a well-kept secret. It also feels like home.
A Labor of Love
For husband and wife team, Monica Garbini and Marco Tullio Botti, home is where the heart is.
While they do share an official residence, you’ll just as likely find them at Enoteca Cuverie.
Cuverie looks and feels like it’s been around a lot longer than its (barely) four years. Since opening in July of 2021, it’s become a beloved local gathering place, and consistently surprises and delights lucky tourists who wander by.
The bar occupies a corner spot and adjoining patio on Via di Santa Cecilia, in a 15th-century palazzo.
Original wood-beamed ceilings, terracotta floors, antique glass cases, chunky wood bistro tables, and candlesticks draped in years of red wax all add up to a genuine vintage vibe.
A Family Affair
For Monica, Cuverie is a truly full-circle moment.
She grew up across the river near the Pantheon, where her family owned a restaurant. First opened in 1934, Antonio al Pantheon (Literally: Antonio at the Pantheon) served traditional Roman fare. Garbini’s father’s side hails from the town of Accumoli, a small town outside of Rome, not far from Amatrice, and the legendary birthplace of signature Roman dishes like la gricia and amatriciana.
Officially recognized by the city as a culinary heritage landmark, the restaurant hosted generations of patrons and passersby alike. They’ve since sold, as Monica’s father was getting older, and the area became chaotically overrun by tourism.
Monica scrolls through old photos of photos on her phone. Little remains apart from the original façade. Gone are the spare brick walls dressed up in gold-framed artwork and photo collages of clients, bouquets of artichokes and produce crates stacked out front.
Both Monica and Marco worked there for years.
They’ve known each other as long as they can remember. Childhood friends from the neighborhood, they’ve shared multiple landmarks including Catholic confirmation, and getting their drivers’ license.
In a twist of pure coincidence, they’ll celebrate 25 years as a couple on Valentine’s Day.
(New) Home is Where the Heart is
“Old customers’ of my dad’s place come to us now,” she tells me.
It’s a blend of faithful family patrons, neighborhood friends, and tourists,” says Marco. Sometimes we get repeat visits—a rarity in a city with so many places to explore—they come back when they return to Rome.”
In the time since I walked in, they’ve hugged old friends, loaned a phone charger to a pair of tourists, and texted a local regular to come keep us (me) company in what may or may not be an orchestrated set-up.
From Pastime to Passion
Monica grew up in the restaurant world, but ultimately pursued a law degree. She stumbled into sommelier certification as a hobby at first, but her passion ultimate refused to be relegated to pastime status. After 15 years of law, she followed her heart.
“I love being interacting with nice people, in cozy easy-going environment. I’m still fascinating by the justice system itself, but those interactions are not nearly as fun.”
For his part, Marco has dabbled in other professions since working at the neighborhood restaurant, but he’s always loved the business, especially discovering local products.
Even the aperitivo snacks are thoughtful: Taggiasche olives from the Ligurian riviera, taralli crackers from Puglia, and Roman-style schrocchiarella—wafer-thin and crispy flatbread—from a bakery up the road.
CUVERIE. Est. 2021
Cuverie comes from the French word for barrel cellar, where wineries leave the wines to age before bottling. More poetically, the name reflects their long road to opening.
Originally the duo had planned to set up shop in Cannes, France. At the time, however, Monica’s family restaurant was still working, and Marco admits the idea of leaving Rome didn’t feel right. Born and raised, ride or die Romans will tell you, “Roma è Roma. Rome is Rome.”
They visited another four places settling on their currently location, which was understandably love at first sight, but Covid-19 hit soon after. It would take another year before they could start renovations.
Local Flavor
Four years in, they’ve found their footing and a loyal following of friends, neighbors, and tourists. It’s easy to see why people keep coming back.
As Monica says, “Our vision is to convey to our customers the passion and work we’ve put into this place, create an atmosphere where people can have a talk to each other, other easily, naturally. Great wine makes everything better—you can explain what is behind the bottle, that the culture, the history, huge labor if love of the winemakers.”
The list includes 250 wines by the bottle, mostly Italian and some French. They’ve also included plenty of local Lazio wines, and predominately small family producers.
By-the-glass you’ll find around 20 labels, red, white, rosé and sparkling, on constant rotation.
Wine and Spirits
In addition, Cuverie has curated a selection of over 50 artisan gins, along with spirits from all over the world.
Spritz lovers take note!
Monica and Marco have mastered the classic and all its variations including a Sakura Spritz, made with Sakura cherry-scented Mancino vermouth and the Mastiha Spritz, with a rare Greek spirit made from distilled sap from the Mastic shrub.
Food and Wine
Wine and Food belong together.
Monica and Marco worked with consulting chef Paolo Borgese (Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi and Enoteca Capranica ‘Collegio’) to create a varied yet approachable menu.
Enjoy charcuterie and bruschetta appetizers, delicate seafood crudo, beef tartar, meatballs, smoked duck breast with pears, and even a few canons from la cucina romana, like puntarelle salad (in season) and Roman-style artichokes.
“In the beginning, our menu was quite small, “ Monica says. The goal now is to have a variety of dishes to pair with virtually anything you drink.”
Cuverie
Via Santa Cecilia, 1, 00153
TEL +39 06 8380 6268
enotecacuverie.it
@enoteca_cuverie
Mon-Tue / Thu-Sat: 12:00-11:30pm