Elisabetta Geppetti (foto: Tatge)
In the early 80's when Elisabetta Geppetti set out to create great wine the Maremma region was not yet the darling of wine makers and wine lovers that it is today. Maybe it was her youth, or a special vision of what could be, she forged on undaunted.
Her first harvest was in 1985, she was just 20. It was a great sign of things to come. Almost 30 years and many wonderful vintages later, Elisabetta has much to smile about.
Her story began when Elisabetta was 17, she met the man was to become her husband. His family owned the classic Tuscan farm, Le Pupille, where they grew vegetables and they raised livestock with wine in between.
A few years later Elisabetta took over the wine production with her first harvest in 1985. Her passion for the grape and land drove her to produce such great wine that in 2006 she became the first woman to earn the "Winemaker of the Year" award of the prestigious German magazine Der Feinschmecker and Wein Gourmet.
Over the years her wines consistently garner great critical acclaim around the world.
Her work as a wine maker and as a founding member and first Chairperson of the Consortium of Morellino di Scansano has been a major source of Maremma's recognition as wonderful wine and tourism region. Read More Here
As the director of a very successful vineyard and mother of five I think Elisbetta could have a few words for Sheryl Sandberg on Leaning In.
She is not afraid to express her opinion. When asked the difference between male and female winemakers she said "I don't think that we can make a distinction between a wine estate run by a man or a woman."
"I think that generally speaking, women are more strong than men, more passionate and so dedicate themselves to a great passion."
"But specifically in producing wine with state of the art technology, I don't think that there is such a great distinction between a great wine produced by a woman than that produced by a man. Attitude is the driving force."
Today Elisabetta's daughter Clara works with her mother to carry on that great attitudinal force. I had the pleasure of meeting Clara at an wine event in New York last year. She is quite a charming personality.
When it is time to relax Elisabetta has two favourite places she says "Isola di Giglio and Isola Giannutri: I cannot choose between these two islands that I love."
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