| Marquise, the Frescobaldi family is known and appreciated worldwide for its wines. What's the secret behind this success?
The Frescobaldi's were bankers and businessmen, merchants, financers for European monarchs and for the Vatican. At the same time, they were also literates, explorers, patrons of the arts. My family played an important part not only in Florentine and Italian affairs, but also in European affairs. They lent large sums to the British crown – for instance to Edward I and II, to Henry VIII – gaining prestigious positions and some leverage in England as a result.
Our commitment to wine production and to agriculture has always been an important aspect of our family history. For the past 30 generations, that is to say from the beginning of the 14th century, Frescobaldi's have been producing wine in Tuscany, as numerous historical sources can confirm. After Angiolo Frescobaldi married Leonida degli Albizi in 1863, the Frescobaldi family came to own one of Tuscany's largest estates. In 1855 Leonida's older brother, Vittorio degli Albizi, an agronomist and viticulturist, introduced several international varieties of vines into Tuscany (such as White Pinot, Black Pinot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) and implanted them in the grounds surrounding the Pomino and Nipozzano castles. In the middle of the 20th century, Lamberto Frescobaldi and his son Vittorio – current president of the business and my father-in-law – gave momentum to all necessary upgrading of agricultural techniques being used and to production organization. Proper management of the specific characteristics of each estate and of each grape variety have determined the success of our business. At present, we grow vines on roughly 1,000 hectares distributed throughout our estates. The most prestigious ones are the castle of Pomino, the castle of Nipozzano, Castelgiocondo in Montepulciano.
Why do you think "Made in Italy" is so successful all over the world?
When we speak about Italy, we speak about a concoction of art, culture and history like no other. People who choose Italian products – in our case, Italian wine – do so because they know that behind such products there are traces of Italy's complex heritage. That's what makes "Made in Italy" so successful.
You love to entertain. What makes your receptions special?
I have to say that I followed the footsteps of my mother-in-law Bona, who has always enjoyed receiving people in her home without too many formalities. We are privileged to live in a palazzo rich with works of art and antique furniture. Therefore, even the simplest of receptions inevitably benefits from the atmosphere of our home. Since we are viticulturists, we like to offer our guests in-season produce from our estates. Our guests also always seem to be thrilled to see the "coretto," an indoor window from which we can peak into the church of Santo Spirito and even attend mass without having to leave our palazzo.
Both you and your husband are known to travel a lot. Which country do you like the best?
It would definitely have to be the United States, a country we go to quite frequently for business. My husband just got back from New York's "Wine Experience" – an important event organized by Wine Spectator – where he presented our production. In general, though, we love Italy. During the winter, we go skiing almost every weekend. In the summer, we go to Forte dei Marmi, where my father's family owns a villa.
You are a young mother. What would you like to teach your children?
I am privileged enough to be able to be a full-time mom, and I think it is extremely important to give my children solid foundations. They need to know that they come from a family with certain traditions and privileges, and that it is their duty to help those who are less fortunate.
During the past four years you have been involved in the organizing committee of "Corri La Vita," a charity marathon. Could you tell us something about that?
The idea of organizing a marathon to raise funds to buy equipment for the Cancer Prevention and Studies Center of Florence, directed by MD Marco Rosselli del Turco, came from my mother-in-law Bona, who engaged a group of people, including myself. The success of this operation – much like what happens in the United States – is determined by the enthusiastic participation of people from all social strata, without distinction. |
