Since the world has hit the pause button, like so many other people around the globe, I have found myself reflecting.  The gift of time has made me nostalgic for my past.  I have been reflecting over journals and photographs over the last fifteen years of selling wine.  I am very fortunate to have a career in an industry that I absolutely love.  There are so many exciting components involved with selling wine, learning about new cultures, world history, studying geography and weather patterns.  However, for me the most significant component is the people behind the labels, the real story in the glass. I have met so many amazing people and their stories are inspiring.  What I have always found to be the common thread is family.  Family is the foundation, it is where all of our stories begin.  When we open up a bottle of wine we are all connected back to the vineyard, back to the family.

Allow me to share one of my favorite stories…

Castello di Fonterutoli is a beautiful estate nestled off of the windy Chiantigiana highway in the heart of Tuscany.  The Mazzei family began making wine at the estate in 1435, when Madonna Smeralda Mazzei married Piero di Agnolo da Fonterutoli and the estate became part of the Mazzei family’s holdings (Best wedding present ever).  Since then for 24 generations the Mazzei family have been caretakers of the estate and making outstanding wines. This is where I come in, I had the privilege of working with Franceso Mazzei when he traveled to the USA for work.  I had such a great time listening to him speak with customers about his families rich history and wine making traditions.  One story that captivated me was Franceso’s Great-Great-Great Grandfather (+/- a great) Philip Mazzei and his love for America.  What makes this story so cool is that it took place in 1773.  Philip’s travels took him to England where he met Franklin, Adams, Washington and Jefferson.  Mazzei and Jefferson immediately struck a friendship over their love of wine.  They eventually planted a vineyard together on Jefferson’s Virginia estate.  Philip traveled back to Italy and planted cabernet at his own estate in honor of America.  Castello di Fonterutolii’s wine portfolio is truly some of the best in Tuscany, part of their collection is a wine in honor of Philip.  The namesake bottle is hand selected cabernet from two distinct estates (The wine retails for approximately $30.00).  I was able to travel to Castello di Fonterutoli and stay at the beautiful Bed & Breakfast carefully preserved by the Mazzei family.  You really get a sense of why this property is so special, much like all of Italy you feel as though you have stepped back in time.  The old town, the grapes wrapping around the building, the lavender growing around the old white cobblestone.  There is truly a sense of place and history when you open up a bottle from Castello di Fonterutoli.  The wine has fulfilled its destiny.