2016 ITALY Casalduni 30 - Finally, a Winery

Moving on, we saw some new nature--pepper (like salt and pepper) trees, cork trees (photo left), and prickly pear cactus (photo below with Mt. Vesuvius volcano in the background). Outside of Rome, we began to see hills covered with row after row of grape vines.

We reached the first winery of the trip--named Terra di Briganti (land of the pirates). We were met by Romeo and his 82-year old papa (or maybe papa-in-law). Here they are with Giuseppe on left and Chef John on right. In the back see the tasting room where we would have yet another (unexpected) full meal paired with their fine wines. The view out the back windows was gorgeous--hill, dale, vineyards.

This winery has a 150-year old family history. The current family managers are brothers, Romeo (43 on left) and Tony (45 on right). I only know their ages because there was joking back and forth about who is younger and who is more experience and who is more handsome.

If you ever heard of the Tappet Brothers on NPR's Car Talk radio show, you'll understand the hysterically, symbiotic relationship these two brothers have. They kept us laughing through our entire visit. They good-heartedly ribbed and one-up-man-shipped each other, continuously chuckling and punching the other's shoulder. We didn't speak much of each others' language, but somehow we communicated. We understood every joke and had big laughs all around. They were just too cute!

OK, back to business. First we got a little tour of their organic and bio-dynamic operation. A storm was brewing so we headed to the fields first. They produce 50 / 50 white and red wine grapes. The vines were heavy with ripe fruit and Romeo pulled off a bunch now and then for us to taste. Yum!

Their dogs and some of their neighbor dog friends joined us for the walk. All part of the family.

I also spotted a blooming artichoke (carciofi in Italian) plant along the way. It is part of the thistle family and does not appear very appetizing on the stem. But, no matter, my mouth started watering. It is a food I just cannot resist. Too bad you can't eat it off the stem, but have to wait 40 minutes for it to cook.

On the way back to the complex, Romeo pointed out this column near the entrance. He said the family was very proud of it, because it was made up of stones and crockery found on the land they own and farm.

This niche was also special to them. Again, the rock is from their land, the barrel is sentimental, and they display their wines here. In the window is a little fruit and flower alter in gratitude for their good and prosperous (in many ways) life.

The family has a brand new wine "workshop," with an ultra modern look on the outside.

We viewed their production, blending, and barrel aging rooms. Right now they have a fairly small operation, but have plans to expand.

Then back to the tasting room to eat yet another full, but delisioso meal.

We started with a big chunk of mozz on a fat homemade bread stick. It was a fun presentation and still tasted great even after all the mozz we had eaten just a bit earlier.

Two kinds of pasta were served, depending on if you were a carnivore or not.
We learned brother Toni is a vegan. So his wife had no problem accommodating the veg-heads in the group. This tomato sauce was as basic as it gets, but wow, I can't describe its pure goodness.

Umm, good veggies--potatoes and vari-colored peppers with Parmesano.

Although I am a red wine kind of gal, I enjoyed all the "pirate" wines served here today. I love the labels.

What a family affair.  Here is Julia (brother Toni's wife, cook, and translator of the day) with Romeo, and the nonno (or grandpa), who greeted us earlier. We learned he has Alzheimer's, but was treated with tender loving words, respect, and care, and we welcomed him to our table.

Next a young cousin showed up who helps on the farm (left). And then three of Toni's (center) sweetie-pie kids arrived after school. Romeo hamming it up again. The kids passed out winery-brand corkscrews to each of us as a souvenir of the visit.

We understand that all but the cousin live in the same home and that the nonna (grandma) was there now cooking the family dinner. All I've got to say is I'd like to be a part of this lively and lovely family.

As the Nonno bid us an "Arrivederci," we thought we were headed to the hotel next, but the brothers had one last surprise for us.

PS - Here's the brothers from years ago in an ad for their winery. Always happy-happy!