An 18th-century villa
In the historic heart of Dormelletto (NO), on the shores of Lake Maggiore, stands our villa: not just a Guest House, but a residence that has journeyed through centuries of history, silence, and transformations to become once again a place of authentic hospitality today.
The walls of the villa trace their roots back to the 18th century, making it one of the oldest and best-preserved properties in the village. It was born as a stately residence linked to the land and the fruits of the hills surrounding Lake Maggiore. Although Dormelletto is world-renowned today for its horse breeding and the legend of Ribot, the “horse of the century,” an even older story hides within its streets: a past made of fine viticulture, ancient agricultural knowledge, and a hospitality born when the village was a fundamental stop and a resting point for travelers of Lake Maggiore.
The 19th Century: the Mussi family and the Oak Giant... "Il Torchio" (Winepress)
It all began in the mid-19th century. In 1859, the Mussi family installed a monumental oak wine press (torchio) at the very heart of the villa—the only one in the entire village.
In those years, the villa was the vital heart of Dormelletto: once a year, the owners would open the gates to local winemakers for the pressing of the grapes. A ritual of togetherness that still defines our idea of hospitality today.
During those same years, the street was animated by an illustrious guest: Alessandro Antonelli, the brilliant architect behind the Mole Antonelliana in Turin and the Dome of San Gaudenzio in Novara. He frequently visited his mother’s house, located right across from our entrance, leaving traces of his style in the solidity and harmony of the surrounding walls.
Giuseppe Mussi, a young lawyer and fervent patriot, would later become the Mayor of Milan (1899-1903) and was appointed Senator of the Kingdom of Italy.
The Age of Poets and Francesco's Gift
The villa was inherited from the Mussi family by their nephew, Francesco Cazzamini Mussi (1888-1952), son of their daughter Maria. Francesco, an illustrious poet and literary critic, transformed the villa into a landmark for the Milanese intellectual elite seeking inspiration on Lake Maggiore, hosting leading figures of early 20th-century journalism and Lombard literature, as well as Francesco’s friends and colleagues.
“Hosting is an art as ancient as this wood: just as the press extracts the essence from the fruit, so our house extracts beauty from time.” – Francesco Cazzamini-Mussi
Upon his death, with a gesture of great nobility, he decided to leave the villa to the Church, with the explicit intent that it be gifted to the community.
The Priest's Residence
For decades, the villa changed its purpose. Becoming the parson’s residence, the house closed its grand gates to the public. The fervor of the literary salons and the bustle of the grape harvest gave way to a long period of silence and meditation. The villa stood still in time, preserving its frescoes and its ancient wine press intact, but halting its historic role of hospitality.
The First Rebirth (2015)
2015 marked the first great return to light. Following a careful conservative restoration, the property officially opened as a guest house and B&B, finally returning Francesco’s and the Mussi family’s wish for hospitality back to the community.
However, after the first years of operation, following various difficulties, the house ended up being rented only rarely (a few times a year) to sporadic groups or occasional tourists.
Today: The New Wine of Experience
Finally, with a change of management and a profound care, Il Torchio (Winepress) is breathing deeply once again. We have reopened our doors to guests from all over the world with a precise mission: to honor the ancient tradition of the grape harvest.
Once, grapes were brought here to be turned into wine; today, we invite our guests to bring their own stories and life experiences, to leave with a “new wine” made of experiences, relaxation, and days spent in this wonderful guest house.
Il Torchio (Winepress) is back. Your story begins here.
Our Rooms: The Fruits of "Il Torchio" (Winepress)
In the past, within these walls, people worked hard to transform the toil of the land into fine wine. Today, we wanted to dedicate our rooms to the sweetest fruits that a journey can offer. Each room is an invitation to rediscover a fruit, a sip of that “new wine” that you will take home with you: Love, Hope, Grace, Joy, Peace, and Faith.
