Bonmartini-Fini & TLC?

 What does a vineyard in Italy have to do with TLC? Read on to find out!!

In 1497, the two noble Venetian families of Barone and Fini united in marriage and began producing wine in northeastern Italy.  Archival notes show they were the wine makers for the Medicis. 

Today, the Bonmartini family of Greenville, Delaware-- direct descendants of the Barone Finis-- continue to manage this venerable property that lies at the foot of the majestic Dolomite mountains in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of northern Italy that shoulders up against Austria.

Giovanni Bonmartini-Fini took control of the winery in 1997 after his uncle Sebastiano passed away. Cultivating grapes in as natural a manner as possible, the winery specializes in producing just two varietals: Pinot Grigio and Merlot. All of the fruit for Barone Fini is sourced from old vines, is hand harvested and subjected to rigorous hand sorting to ensure that only the best fruit is used.

The son of Greenville's Francesco and Charlotte Bonmartini-Fini,  Giovanni has lived his life with one foot on each side of the Atlantic Ocean. Born in Massachusetts, his formative years were  spent on his family’s farm on the shores of Lake Garda, attending various schools in France, Italy, and Belgium. After Francesco's retirement as an executive with Hercules Corporation, he became heavily involved in the business of the winery. When the family returned to America, Giovanni graduated from the Tatnall School in Wilmington in 1981. He speaks French, Italian and English fluently.

Barone-Fini produces a lovely Merlot, but they are especially known for their distinctive Pinot Grigio Valdadige and Pinot Grigio Alto Adige.  Created from relatively young vines planted about 25-30 years ago, the  wines are created to be medium-bodied, without harsh tannins or high alcohol content. The vineyard  produces 60,000 cases of Pinot Grigio a year, 100,000 cases overall. Bottles are adorned with the striking Bonmartini-Fini family crest.

 This is a sneak peek of one of the wonderful silent auction items that you will have a chance to bid on at the 2014 Hootenanny Hoedown.   We are thankful for Terry Conway for connecting us to the Bonmartini family, and for this wonderful write up of Giovanni Bonmartini-Fini and his wines.  Purchase your tickets now to the 2014 Hootenanny Hoedown and YOU could be the highest bidder on the case of Merlot and Pinot Grigio adorned with the Bonmartini-Fini family crest.  

Read more great articles from Terry Conway.