Gaetano Mina di Sospiro

Gaetano Mina di Sospiro – known by his nickname Tano- is a true food expert, a gastronomic connoisseur and incredibly passionate about Italian food and all it’s micro-regional delicacies. Raised between Italy and the US, Tano is fully bilingual and also bi-cultural. Tano is a true food nerd, in all his travels, discovering the local gastronomy and eating with and as a local is his imperative. He transmits this to his guests and strives to have them embrace the same micro-regional approach to food that Italy’s bountiful regional differences offer. In his spare time, Tano visits local producers of a wide range of products, from beekeepers making monocultivar flower honey to shepherds resisting technology and making cheese with the same techniques of the Middle Ages.

A graduate of Georgetown University and Fordham Law, with a strong passion for the world of gastronomy. Tano most recently became an Assaggiatore Ufficiale ONAF – the Italian Organization of Cheese tasters, making him an official ‘Cheese Sommelier’. Well versed in wine and all things culinary he has taken his passion and begun sharing it with his clients, guiding them on the most incredible journeys tasting the beautiful country that is Italy.

Tano loves being able to convey his deep love and appreciations for Italian food to his clients. They all say that being with Tano does not feel like a tour but instead like visiting an old friend who lives in the Italian countryside. His passion does not stop at italian gastronomy, he is also extremely passionate about art and history and can answer any question that clients may have regarding the differences between the United States and Italy due to his unique fully bi-cultural upbringing.

Based in Orvieto, Tano has led private tours in Umbria, Tuscany, Lazio, Emilia Romagna, Liguria, Trentino Alto Adige and Campania. His specialty is helping share the stories that Italy has through its dishes and the people making them. Where knowledge is devoured! Above all you can be sure to eat and drink well, learn and take a bit of Italian food culture back with them!