In today's blog Travel ItalianStyle's team member Jessica Risolo tells the story of Italian winemaker Elena Pozzolini!
Pic courtsey Tentuta Sette Cieli
31 year old Tuscan native Elena Pozzolini is not only an accomplished winemaker, she is also one of the few women working in a very male dominated industry. As the winemaker and CEO of Tenuta Sette Cieli ("The Estate of the Seven Skies") she is considerably younger than many of her colleagues, the majority of which are male.
According to the Napa Valley Wine Register, Elena initially planned to study agriculture in college but her interest in wine was sparked by a viticulture class. She graduated from the University of Pisa where she majored in viticulture and enology.
Together, these two disciplines incorporate all aspects of wine making. She has extensively studied vineyard diseases as a part of her work, in order to figure out why diseases occur and how to produce the best grapes and wine possible.
In addition to her extensive experience working for Italian vineyards, Ms. Pozzolini has also traveled and worked internationally, in places such as California, Argentina and Australia.
Picture courtesy of Tentuta Sette Cieli
She initially worked in Argentina because it was difficult for her to find a job in Italy, after a few years and lots of success and experience, she returned to Italy where she recieved job offers from every vineyard she applied to. She has been with Tenuta Sette Cieli since 2013. Under her leadership, is an all female team of workers who are responsible for the wine that the vineyard's patrons and clients enjoy so much.
The vineyard's website boasts gorgeous pictures of lush fields and hearty looking grapes and wine. It even suggests foods to enjoy with the specific types of wine that they produce.
The vineyard provides a view of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the green forestry. It provides a perfect location for wine tasting or even site seeing of beautiful Southern Tuscany.
Picture courtsey of Tenuta Sette Cieli
Wine is an incredibly important part of Italian commerce and culture, and traveling to this idyllic vineyard is a must when you need a break from the bustling, tourist dense cities, or just a great glass of vino created by Elena and her team!
If you are dreaming of wine tasting in Italy, especially at women focused wineries then you are going to love our Discovering Tuscany Women's Tour coming up this Fall 2015! Find out more here
Meet Jessica!
Jessica Risolo is attending Manhattan College studying English and Women and Gender Studies. She comes from a large, loud Italian and Brazilian family that has inspired her desire to travel the world. An avid lover of Italian culture, feminism, iced coffee, pugs and all things cheetah print, she is very excited to be working with Travel Italian Style to coordinate research on Italian women and culture.