It all began unknowingly with grandfather's cellar, referred to during childhood as "the forbidden place." A place that in my childhood imagination concealed who knows what secret. Perhaps it was the wine that was the keeper of the secret, because grandfather treated it with care and respect and let it age in that calm place, where it seemed that time had stood still. A few years later, during a language study stay in Valais, Switzerland's most important wine-growing region, that passion was born in me that enticed and pushed me to further my wine education.
World Champion Sommelier (2013)
Today, after much study, work and competitions, I am part of the small group of the 6 Sommeliers in the world to have won both the title of Best Sommelier of Europe (in 2010) and Best Sommelier of the World (in 2013). After the latter competition, my career has taken a major, intense, busy and opportunity-laden turn, which has allowed me to diversify my scope and be active as a consultant, teacher, marketer and above all, wine producer.
The latter was the biggest opportunity, which convinced me to stay in Ticino to follow up on my passion and get closer to production. This choice is partly due to the location where I reside, Ligornetto, one of the wine-growing villages in Canton Ticino, and partly due to the desire to experience wine in all its aspects, from production to consumption through a multi-pronged professional activity.
