In 2002, Elisabetta Foradori (who’s a bit of a legend in Italy), Thomas Widmann and Giovanni Podini purchase Ampelaia – originally established by a Swiss couple in the 60s. Their vision was to demonstrate the diversity and potential of Maremma. Now, the fully biodynamic Ampelaia stretches across 120 hectares, of which only 35 are planted to vines – the rest are dedicated to wheat, olives, cows, chickens and beehives. Some say they’re a bit mad, but their decisions are all made very consciously, aiming to preserve the biodiversity of their land. They’re more of a family than a business, more of a lifestyle than a career.
It’s just so easy to love – it’s like Ampelaia and their whole philosophy in one (big) bottle. You just feel like a part of a big, happy family when you open this baby.