Katrina Pizzini

PIZZINI WINES

Katrina Pizzini

In the 1950s, Roberto and Rosetta Pizzini packed up their three children in the Italian Alps seeking new opportunities on the fertile, North East Victorian terrain. As was the case with many emigrating Italian families at that time, they farmed tobacco before a crippling quota system in the 1970s saw them turn to a more lucrative crop - grapes.

Today, son Alfred Pizzini and his wife Katrina propagate Roberto and Rosetta's passion and commitment that sits at the heart of every glass produced under the Pizzini Wines label.

'Our focus is to make wines that can be enjoyed with food, not to compete with it,' explains Katrina. 'Italian style wines are perfect for this as they are not too fruit-driven and still have those lovely rich, spicy, earthy characters that don't overpower your palate.'

With a cellar door hardly big enough to swing a cat, and a desire to promote locally grown produce, they're building a new cellar door and commercial kitchen to be utilised as a cooking school headed by Katrina and visiting guest chefs. Katrina promises to divulge the family recipes as inherited from her mother-in-law, Rosetta. 'We are really excited about passing on some of our traditions,' continues Katrina, 'especially some of the food preparations that past generations used in Italy and when they emigrated to Australia.'

Pizzini Wines is an inspirational example of how the cultures of a different land have taken root and flourished in North East Victoria. 'To have our children a part of what we do everyday is fulfilling and very important to us,' concludes Katrina, proudly. 'Our business is about our family, the friends we have made in the past and those we will make in our future, passing on our food traditions... and then, of course, let's not forget the wine.'

Open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day)

175 King Valley Road, King Valley

Tel: 03 5729 8278

www.pizzini.com.au