WineCountry.it - Emilia-Romagna Region Italy

Fattoria Paradiso – Romagna Cultural Salon
- March 1, 2005

The Company of the Month for March takes us to Romagna, inside Fattoria Paradiso (Paradise Farm), a historic property known in Italy as the 'Salotto culturale della Romagna' ('Romagna Cultural Salon'). Owned by the Pezzi family since the end of the 19th century, Fattoria Paradiso was known in ancient times as Castello Ugarte Lovatelli (Ugarte Lovatelli Castle). The property sits atop a low hill beside the medieval town of Bertinoro and, in addition to the main villa and winery, it includes an agriturismo, the Locanda Gradisca restaurant, eight conference rooms and three museums.

Barbarossa
Vitigno Autoctono
(Native Vine)

Bella Blu
Sangiovese - Syrah.

Brezza di Paradiso
Pagadebit di Bertinoro

Frutto Proibito
(Forbidden Fruit)
Albana Passito - Selection

Vignatico Riserva
Balsamic grape sauce
aged 18 years

The History
Historical documents point to the 15th century as the year of construction, but it may have been built where there used to be an even older Roman outpost. In fact, its location atop the low hill overlooking the Roman-built Via Emilia, as well as archeological finds when Vigna Molino (Mill Vineyard) was planted, suggested that the place might have been a strategic observation point for cart traffic along the Consular road in an area populated by country villas belonging to the Roman noble families.

Among the many famous people in the arts, culture, theater, movies, sports and politicians who have been guests of Fattoria Paradiso, there's sculptor, Giacomo Manzú, U S ambassador, Dina Luce, actors Vittorio Gassman, Ugo Tognazzi, Danny Key, Gino Bramieri, Walter Chiari and Ave Ninchi, writers Antony Burgess and Julien Green, nobel prize Dario Fò, Russian astronaut Valentina Tereskova and the American Katrhin Thorton.

Among the historic personalities who in recent years have expressed appreciation for Mario Pezzi wines, are Pope John Paul II during his visit to Romagna; Ronald Reagan and Sandro Pertini (erstwhile President of the the Republic of Italy), on the occasion of historic toast at the Quirinale Palace in Rome, as well as Bill Clinton at the Niaf Gala in Washington D.C.

Due to the regular attendance of famous people, frequent formal dinners, round tables, conferences , concerts and various other cultural events that the Pezzi family kindly hosts on their property, the Fattoria Paradiso is considered the 'Romagna Cultural Salon'.

The Farm
The farm includes 65 hectares (160.6 acres) of vineyards on calcareous soil extremely congenial to vines. Being at medium altitude, at the foot of the Apennines, the vineyard takes advantage of a favorable microclimate and the love for the vines that Mario Pezzi has had all his life. These are the values from which the region's cru wines stem. The Barbarossa for instance, is a rare vine that Pezzi found in 1955; the Pagadebit and Cagnina vines, that had historically disappeared, werei brought back from oblivion in 1960, and thanks to him, were later assigned the DOC denomination.

Another first, attained in the 1970s, was the creation of Sangiovese Vigna delle Lepri (Hare Vineyard Sangiovese), the very first 100% Sangiovese Riserva.

The Products
	Red Wines
Barbarossa, Vitigno Autoctono (Native Vine) Bella Blu, Sangiovese - Syrah Castello Ugarte, Sangiovese - Riserva Vigna delle Lepri Garibaldino, Sangiovese - Merlot - Novello Maestri di Vigna, Sangiovese Superiore Classico Mito, Merlot - Cabernet - Syrah
	White Wines
Bert’in Oro, Albana Spumante Dolce Doc (Sparkling dessert wine) Brezza di Paradiso, Pagadebit di Bertinoro Contessina Ugarte, Albana - Vendemmia Tardiva - Dolce (Dessert wine) Donna Ubalda, Trebbiano di Bertinoro Frutto Proibito, Albana Passito - Selezione (Dessert wine) Gradisca, Albana Passito (Dessert wine)
	Other Products
Palmezzano, Extra Virgin Olive Oil Vignatico, Balsamic grape sauce aged 10 years Vignatico Riserva, Balsamic grape sauce aged 18 years

The Honors

By now, Fattoria Paradiso does not have enough walls to display all the prizes, honors and diplomas received. Mario Pezzi is Commandeur de la Commanderie des Cordon Bleus de France (Chief Officer of France's Blue Ribbon) and Conféré de Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Degustateurs (Official Member of the World Order of Gourmet Tasters). Among the various prizes, honors and mentions received are:

Oscar del vino (Wine Oscar)
Vignaiolo del Mondo (World Vintner)
Medaglia d’oro Camera di Commercio (Chamber of Commerce Gold Medal)
Gran Medaglia di Cangrande alla Fiera di Verona (Great Cangrande Medal at Verona Trade Fair)
Numerous gold medals at the Enological Competition in Pramaggiore
Dino Villani Prize from the Accademia Italiana della Cucina (Italian Culinary Academy)
Italia Regioni Prize
La Quercia d’Oro (The Gold Oak Tree)
Honorable Mention from the Associazione Enotecnici Italiani (Italian Association of Enotechnicians)
Silver medal at 'The Italian Wine Competition' in New York
International Prize at the 'Wine Challenge' 1994 in London
Official provider to the Seoul Olympics in 1988
Represented the Emilia Romagna region at the international 'Expo' in Seville, Spain, in 1992.

Mario Pezzi's wines have been chosen as sole wines served at al banquets celebrating the 900 years of the Università di Bologna (Bologna University), as well as for the 'Paris Romance Ball'.

The Agriturismo
The restucturing of two ancient country houses, Cascina dei Giaggioli (Lily Farmstead) and Cascina Giardino (Garden Farmstead), built respectively in the 15th and 18th centuries, one located uphill and the other downhill from Fattoria Paradiso, provides 14 accommodations, from bedrooms to full apartments including all comforts. All accommodations are equipped to host disabled people, have been cleared of architectural barriers and are elegantly furnished. Each is named after a wine or other product made at the Fattoria.

All accommodations include towel heater, hair dryer, TV, refrigerator, shower or tub. In addition, all guests have access to a common living room.

Locanda Gradisca
A soothing restaurant for dining in nature
Built at the top of the hill known as Barbarossa's (Red Beard), where landscape and nostalgia create the illusion of the voices of ancient peasants echoing in the valley, the restaurant was named Locanda Gradisca after the movie Amarcord, by film director Maestro Federico Fellini, a Romagna native, a friend and fan of Fattoria Paradiso.

The panoramic terrazza dedicated to Ferrer and friend Luigi Veronelli, enjoys shade provided by a centuries-old Lebanon cider tree. The wide, green solarium, the patio and the swimming pools, behind which start the Vigna dello Spungone (Cliff Vineyard) and the olive grove, contribute to creating a discreet and harmonic surrounding that stimulates friendly talk, as well as a spirit of participation and joy.

Convention Halls

Saletta dei Brindisi (Toast Hall)
Hosts from 20 to 30 people.

Saletta Pavoni (Peacock Hall)
Used mostly for larger conventions, it has room for about 150 people, is equipped with both fixed and mobile microphones, recording facilities, video projector, light board, multi-layered board and slide screen.

Sala Belvedere (Beautiful View Hall)
Located one story above the Peacock Hall, it may be used for meals and coffee breaks. It includes kitchen and private bathrooms. The two rooms have separate access from the rest of the building, private parking and the use of the neighboring park and terrazza to serve welcome aperitifs in the summertime.

Sala degli Ulivi (Olive Tree Hall)
Small room for private meetings or secretarial services .

Salone delle Vigne (Vineyard Hall)
There is room for 200 people and can seat 250 people for conventions. Equipped with microphones, recording facilities, video projector, light board and multi-layered board, it is elegant and sunny.

Gazebo Parco delle Vigne (Vineyard Park Gazebo)
Next to Salone delle Vigne, has room for 300 people and access to a small, independent park.

Sala dello Stemma (Coat of Arms Hall)
imposing Renaissance taverna (public house) with monumental fireplace, holds 135 people.

Saletta dei Manoscritti (Manuscript Hall)
The room holds 40 to 50 people, possible access to the Sala dello Stemma.

Parco Lovatelli (Lovatelli's Park)
In an ancient park with centuries old trees, next to the Sala dello Stemma, equipped with electrical outlets, is well furnished and holds up to about 200 people.

The Museums

Museo del vino (Wine Museum)
Bottles that speak the universal wine language, coming from many time periods and places, from both famous and unknown vineyards and vintages. Fascinating glimpses from Italian and international wine history written on multicolored labels that, though a little faded by time, still attract attention and stimulate the curiosity and amazement of visitors. The access is through a Medieval iron gate hidden in the sequence of walls filled with the historic archive featuring the great red wines produced at the Fattoria.

Museo Civiltà Contadina (Peasant Culture Museum)
See, among others, the 'Luneri di Smembar' a traditional, romagnolo peasant calendar in local dialect from 1931; a monumental Landini tractor, whose typical, rhythmic sound is reminiscent of the hard agricultural work of years past and long-gone threshing festivals, a grape press from the 1600s, ceramics, the horse-drawn coach of tenor, Angelo Masini, an ancient loom and much more.

Museo di Auto e Moto d’Epoca (Vintage Car and Motorcycle Museum)
- Cars, Lancia:
  - Aurelia B24S
  - Aurelia B10
  - Flaminia
  - Fulvia 2C.
- Cars, Alfa Romeo:
  - 2600 Touring
  - 1300 Spider Pininfarina
  - Montreal
- Cars, Fiat:
  - 508 Balilla
  - 501 Spider
  - 850 Coupé Sport
- Motorcycle, Gilera: Saturno 500 cc
- Motorcycle, Guzzi: Falcone 500 cc
- Motorcycle, Sertum: 500 cc