Ventiquattro (Twenty-four)

Le Baccanti (The Female Bacchants)

An article published in the Italian periodical Ventiquattro about the seven most influential and successful female winemakers in Italy (October 2, 2004 issue).  Serena Palazzolo (above, in red at center) from Ronco del Gnemiz was chosen as one of these stars and we'd like to congratulate her on this recognition.  The article had this to say about Serena (translated from the Italian):

Serena Palazzolo runs the family property, Ronco del Gnemiz, in the Udinese province in Northern Italy, which was acquired in 1964 as a country home but later evolved into a functioning winery.   Since 1985, the ex-student of Philosophy at Padova University has run the operation herself.   However, the shadow of her father, a Friulano by adoption but a Sicilian by birth, continues to linger, and she often says, quoting from the film ÎPrizzi's Honor', ãA Sicilian never leaves anything until he's dead and buriedä.   His patriarchal aura, visible or invisible as it is, has not prevented his wine-maker daughter from assembling a first rate operation.   Nor has it prevented her from creating a complete and impressive line of wines, both whites and reds, the latter being rather rare in a region known primarily for its first courses and lighter dishes.