On the Colli di Spessa hills, near Cividale del Friuli, there was an old fortified country manor on the market: Castello Sant'Anna.
My granddad fell head over heels for it, and with my grandma Pia's approval, he bought it.
Born in 1904, he experienced life between the Great World Wars, emigration and finally entrepreneurial success.
The memories I have of my grandfather are of him sitting proud and happy on his Fiat tractor crawling up and down the rows of his vineyards. In times when people were abandoning the fields, he instead decided to settle in the countryside and become a farmer.
It was 1966, when my grandfather Giuseppe decided to retire and move to the countryside.
On the Colli di Spessa hills, near Cividale del Friuli, there was an old fortified country manor on the market: Castello Sant'Anna.
My granddad fell head over heels for it, and with my grandma Pia's approval, he bought it.
Born in 1904, he experienced life between the Great World Wars, emigration and finally entrepreneurial success.
The memories I have of my grandfather are of him sitting proud and happy on his Fiat tractor crawling up and down the rows of his vineyards. In times when people were abandoning the fields, he instead decided to settle in the countryside and become a farmer.
For my granddad wine was synonymous of sharing
The tradition of our winery started with our ambition to make good wine we would happily drink with our friends.
Besides the old vineyards surrounding the manor, my grandfather purchased other land and set up a winery that was state-of-the-art for those times. I can still see the grand Slavonian oak barrels; to me, as a child, they looked amazing.
For my granddad wine was synonymous of sharing
The tradition of our winery started with our ambition to make good wine we would happily drink with our friends.
Besides the old vineyards surrounding the manor, my grandfather purchased other land and set up a winery that was state-of-the-art for those times. I can still see the grand Slavonian oak barrels; to me, as a child, they looked amazing.
His philosophy: quality without compromise
In 1985, following in my granddad's footsteps, also my dad, Angelo, left his job and pursued his dream, investing time and money on these hills. Between 1989 and 1991 most of the vineyards were replanted to a high-density profile, over 5000 plants per hectare, with the sole aim of improving quality.
His philosophy: quality without compromise
In 1985, following in my granddad's footsteps, also my dad, Angelo, left his job and pursued his dream, investing time and money on these hills. Between 1989 and 1991 most of the vineyards were replanted to a high-density profile, over 5000 plants per hectare, with the sole aim of improving quality.
In 1992 the first modern winery featuring cutting-edge material and equipment was established.
It was not long before results stated to show.
In the meantime, the total area of the estate was extended to its current seven hectares, part of which are cultivated following the method of ploughing down the slope to a density of over 7000 plants per hectare.
In 1992 the first modern winery featuring cutting-edge material and equipment was established.
It was not long before results stated to show.
In the meantime, the total area of the estate was extended to its current seven hectares, part of which are cultivated following the method of ploughing down the slope to a density of over 7000 plants per hectare.