#LongingForChiantiClassico: my virtual aperitif with Vicky Schmitt-Vitali from Le Fonti winery

Guido and Vicky from Le Fonti winery Panzano

Today is part two of my new blog series #ChiantiClassicoWanderlust, where, over the next few days and weeks, I'll be looking into how people are doing in my beloved Chianti during these tough times. This time, Vicky Schmitt-Vitali tells us about the current situation at her winery Fattoria Le Fonti, how her husband Guido and the kids are doing, how the family will celebrate Easter, and what thoughts are with them. My thoughts are with all my friends in Chianti right now, especially around Easter!

Fattoria Le Fonti – in the heart of Panzano in Chianti

The entrance to Fattoria Le Fonti is just below the village church, right in the historic center of Panzano. The winery covers 15 hectares: 8.5 hectares of vineyards in the Alta Valle della Greve, which is the Greve River valley on the back side of the Conca d'Oro – the rest are olive trees. All the grapevines growing and thriving in Le Fonti's vineyards today were replanted by Vicky's father Konrad in 1994.

Today, Vicky and her husband Guido live and work at Le Fonti with their three kids – even though neither of them initially had any ambitions to be winemakers. Vicky's roots are in Germany, and Guido is from Tuscany. They both lived abroad for a while, working in completely different professions before taking over Le Fonti from Vicky's father. Today, Fattoria Le Fonti is considered one of Tuscany's top wineries.

Le Fonti winery in Panzano in Chianti is nestled in the hills below the village church

A thank you from the island in chaos

First off – and this is really important to Vicky – she wants to thank everyone who reached out to her and her husband over the past days and weeks of the Corona crisis to check in on them: "We're all doing well! Thank goodness..." she says. "And we're so happy and grateful to be here in Panzano – on our little, peaceful island in the middle of all the chaos."

Even if you have to queue for an hour to an hour and a half just to get into a shop. Sandra's small grocery store, Macelleria Checcucci and Cecchini's butcher shop, Lorenzo's little cheese shop, and the vegetable store are all open – and recently, the local pizzeria has been open two evenings a week for contactless pickup of pre-ordered pizzas – but life is still happening with massive restrictions. You're only allowed to move within your own municipal boundaries, and only for a valid reason. These trips for errands are also very strictly controlled and penalized. The rule is: stay home.

The fact is, the situation in Italy – and now worldwide – is still very critical. "This is a situation that really affects all of us. We hope that the strict lockdown still in place will help prevent a further rise in infections," says Vicky. 

Le Fonti's vineyards - a peaceful island in the midst of chaos right now

Spring at the winery – lots of work in the cellar and vineyard

But life at the winery continues even during the crisis: "After a very warm February and March with only a few cold days in between," Vicky Schmitt-Vitali reports, "the first buds are breaking in the vineyard. Nature keeps us on our toes!"

And even though all non-essential businesses had to close temporarily in recent weeks to curb the further spread of the virus, work in the vineyard can continue. "Of course," the winemaker explains, "there are many rules we have to follow – especially concerning work in enclosed spaces. But we're happy that our vineyard workers can continue to work with enough space. And the best part: We didn't have to lay anyone off!" And that's a real ray of hope in a time when Italy is struggling not only with a human tragedy but also with a precarious economic situation.

And so, the important, upcoming work in the cellar could also be completed: The Rosato 2019 and Chianti Classico 2017 are bottled! Vicky is looking optimistically to the future: "We're currently preparing the first pallets for shipping, but right now, truck and cargo traffic is still very low, and it's not easy to organize transport from Italy." However, it's expected that things should ease up in this regard after Easter, and shipping of the new wines should be possible.

Work in the vineyard can continue with enough space.

Buona Pasqua! Happy Easter – even in Corona times...

Especially around Easter, it's naturally even harder to stick to the lockdown and stay home. After all, Easter in Italy is the most important holiday of the year – really a time for family. And the Schmitt-Vitalis family has plenty of that: Members of both families are spread across continents – from Vicky's dad, who lives with his partner in Zurich, to her brother, who lives with his family in Hamburg, and her sister, who's only 20 kilometers from Panzano with her family, but currently out of reach because of the strict lockdown.

Guido's parents also live really close by, in Radda in Chianti, but visits aren't allowed there either. Guido's brother moved to Canada a few years ago. Only Guido's twin brother, Enrico, is home in Panzano and helps out at Le Fonti now and then. “But we're staying strong and staying home – even for Easter,” Vicky emphasizes.

But it wouldn't be the Schmitt-Vitalis family if they didn't have an idea for this situation too: On Easter Sunday, all parts of the family will cook the same meal – they're still discussing what dish – and then they'll eat, drink, and celebrate Easter together via video call. In my opinion, that's a wonderful way to keep everyone connected despite the distance. 

"#iorestoacasa" (I'm staying home) - that's the motto in Italy

Vicky's Virtual Aperitivo

“Yes, it's very likely that we'll all have to spend a few more weeks, or maybe even months, at home until our lives return to some kind of normal,” the winemaker adds thoughtfully.

But, being as positive and full of life as Vicky and Guido are, they've started a new 'tradition': Instead of the usual daily aperitivo at a bar or restaurant, they've now created a 'virtual aperitivo' where you 'meet up' at an agreed time via video call, WhatsApp, Skype, or phone, share a glass of wine or Spumante, and have a little snack. “During this,” Vicky says, “we talk about our day and whatever else is on our minds. It's good for the soul and the heart!”

And as someone who's joined several of Vicky's virtual aperitivos, I can totally confirm: You feel a bit closer again – despite the physical distance between everyone.

When I'm at Le Fonti to chat with Vicky, we absolutely love sitting on this amazing terrace.

I've already had to cancel two of my trips to Italy this year – and to my greatest regret, I'm sure I'll have to do without 'my' Panzano for even longer. That makes it even more important for me to stay in touch with my friends and winemakers, show my support, and – just like Vicky and Guido – make the best of the situation. And I share the sentiment you can see on many Italian banners right now: Tutto andrà bene! Everything will be alright!