Born in Rome in 1977 and raised in Civitella del Lago, Luca Vissani—third-level sommelier and sole director of Casa Vissani—has been named Italy’s Best Maître by Il Sole 24 Ore (2007), Identità Golose (2009) and L’Espresso (2011). He now oversees the dining room, wine cellar and boutique hotel of the iconic Umbrian restaurant.
A chef’s son, Vissani took his first steps at age 12 in his grandfather’s restaurant Il Padrino, learning an attentive yet informal service style. At eighteen he joined the famous “red dining-room” of Vissani, refining product knowledge, discretion and guest-centric storytelling.
To broaden his skills he spent two years in the kitchen alongside his father Gianfranco, travelled for international stages and, in 2003, earned a professional sommelier diploma at the Rome Hilton. Returning to the dining room with a cook’s eye, he began translating each dish into an exact yet engaging narrative.
Awards include Best Maître (Il Sole 24 Ore 2007), Identità Golose 2009, and L’Espresso & Montresor Awards 2011. The MICHELIN Guide notes that a Casa Vissani experience begins “with Luca’s welcome in the garden overlooking the lake” before an impeccable service that frames the cuisine.
“Service is a kiss—an apostrophe of pink between the words ‘I love you,’” Vissani says, quoting Rostand to capture his philosophy: the gesture is central, empathy essential, and continuous study of wine and local artisans non-negotiable. Today he coordinates 30 professionals across dining room, cellar and hotel, consults on dining-room management and leads masterclasses on the evolution of Italian service.
