Interview with Romeo Righetti

When did you start giving your grapes to Farina?
My family has always been giving the grapes to Farina. We have with the Farina family a bond of neighborliness and friendship since my father's time, when he started giving the grapes to them at least 60 years ago.
 
How did you learn to grow vines?
I owe everything I know to my father, who in turn inherited the vineyard from his parents. I learned to go to the vineyard as a child, when my father used to wake me in the middle of the night, at 3 or 4 in the morning, and take me to the countryside with him. Those were the coolest hours of the day to work. Even today I wake up so early and work in the vineyard until 8am. Then I go back home, and I return to the vineyard in the late afternoon.
 
Could you tell me an anecdote linked to the vineyard?
When I was a child, my grandfather took care of the vineyard and just before the harvest he used to go to Jesolo and recruit at least twenty workers to come and harvest. He used to give them, as well as a good financial reward, even room and board. Also to not let them eat the grapes while they were harvesting, my grandfather urged them to sing. I remember the harvest as a feast, with the ladies singing in the vineyard. At the end of the day we used to eat and sing in company.
 
What lesson did your father leave you?
To respect the plant. If it you respect it, it always gives you good fruits. Today I have chosen to grow plants without using chemicals, because I think in the long run the vineyard will be grateful for this attitude of great respect.
 
Do you take care of the vineyard by yourself?
Like my father did with me, I am teaching my two daughters, who in life do another job, to make all those important gestures for the vineyard. They are learning with enthusiasm and are happy to come with me to the vineyard. Then during the harvest period also my sons in law and my wife give us a hand.