Festa della Vendemmia from Stephanie Najor on Vimeo.

I still remember the day Niccolo’ Maltinti stopped in the Bottega, on behalf of winemaker Bibi Graetz, with a wine called Testamatta (Translation: Hothead) and photos of a vineyard equally as colorful and delicious. A couple months later, I had the pleasure of joining Bibi and 200 of his friends for the Annual Harvest Party at Castello Di Vincigliata. HOLY FIESOLE! I thought places like this only existed in fairytales…

Bibi couldn’t have been more humble or welcoming. In fact, we arrived just as he, himself, was working on final touches for the party. His gorgeous little girls at his side, clad in tutus, lifting bunches of grapes as big as their heads out of wooden barrels to dress the tables is an image I don’t think I will ever forget. With happy eyes and a genuine smile, Bibi opened up his home and his brand spankin’ new vintage to us. Since I don’t quite have the words to describe the night, I made you a little video. Cin Cin!