In 1999, a part of the hill at the heart of the vineyards was planted with several different varieties and vine clones. The Ampelographic Garden was planted for the purpose of collecting various varieties of vines from all over the world. The collection includes about 160 different vine varieties and clones.
In that same year, we also planted the Baptized Vineyard nearby. We invited friends, business partners and celebrities to plant the vines and become their godparents. As godparents, they vowed to take care of their vines, visiting them at least once a year and picking their grapes.
After the grapes from the Ampelographic Garden and the Baptized Vineyard have been picked, we use them to produce the Wine of Friendship, which we give away on special occasions.
Danilo spends many autumn nights protecting his “wine children”, as he likes to call his wine, with which he has a very personal relationship as he monitors its development from the very beginning and helps it mature into excellent wine, containing special characteristics of the soil, as well as the sun, and finally, giving it a piece of his own, personal essence.