OSDIA Nation

DELAWARE

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Grand Lodge of Delaware received an early request for assistance from Nemours Children’s Health and the Latin American Community Center. Both organizations were depleted and in great need of toys and educational materials. At the Grand Lodge meeting last September, local lodges voted to provide this much-needed assistance.

Two checks were presented to Nemours Children’s Health. Grand Lodge of Delaware President Joe Facciolo proudly presented a check for $2,000 on behalf of the St. Gabriel Lodge #2035 (New Castle, DE), and Grand Lodge of Delaware Vice President Anthony Gentile proudly presented a check for $1,500 on behalf of the Prince of Piedmont Lodge #475 (Wilmington, DE).

Meanwhile, the Caesar Rodney Lodge #2359 (Dover, DE) donated a pick-up truck of toys worth more than a thousand dollars for the Latin

Grand Lodge of Delaware President Joe Facciolo (right) and Joe Cannavo present the donation to the Latin American Community Center.

Grand Lodge of Delaware President Joe Facciolo (left) and Vice President Anthony Gentile present the donation to Sara Narimanian of Nemours Children’s Hospital.

American Community Center. The Grand Lodge of Delaware would like to offer a special thanks to The Cannavo Family for their valuable assistance in the charitable toy drive. Donations and toys totaled around $7,500 for these deserving charities.

Last December, 97-year-old Ernie Reda finally received his diploma from Stadium High School in Tacoma, Washington. He was supposed to graduate nearly 80 years ago—in 1943—but instead began boot camp before being sent to the European theatre of World War II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the Normandy Invasion, serving as a sharpshooter in the United States Army.

Through a program that allows veterans who were drafted prior to graduation to get their diplomas, his granddaughter, Heather, arranged for him to receive his diploma during a special ceremony. When Ernie was handed his diploma, he held it high and said, “Finally!”

Ernie was a member of the Tacoma Lodge #1175 (Tacoma, WA). He was born in Tacoma’s Little Italy on May 21, 1924, to Frank and Maria, who both came from Sambiase, Calabria. Sadly, Ernie passed away in February, less than two months after finally receiving his diploma.

WASHINGTON

Ernie Reda receives his diploma along with a rare copy of his yearbook from 1943.

MASSACHUSETTS

Every Thursday morning, from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., members of the G. Marconi Lodge #1620 (Lee, MA) and of the ITAM Lodge #564 (Pittsfield, MA) meet with other Italophiles in a café located in the heart of the Berkshires for “Club Cappuccino.” Over a cappuccino, the group of about 20-30 people spend the time talking about many topics—but only in Italian!

Club Cappuccino was founded 19 years ago by Anna Zaffanella, who had retired from teaching Italian. The group was designed to be an informal way to give others the opportunity to gather and speak the language of their ancestors. Anna, who was not a member of OSDIA at the time, was then brought into the Order by Ann O’Brien, a Club Cappuccino attendee who happened to be a member of the G. Marconi Lodge.

“I love to belong to a group of people who share my background and are always ready to help our community and each other,” Anna said. She believes that Club Cappuccino serves as a pool to draw in new lodge members. ConG. Marconi lodge members at Club Cappuccino. (L. to R.) Ticki Winsor, Ron Nickerson, Alex Nardacci, Ann O’Brien, Anna Zaffanella, and Ellen versely, there are mem- Whittaker. (Christopher Guidette was unavailable bers of the G. Marconi for the photo.) Lodge who are studying Italian and hope to one day join the conversation over cappuccino.

Viva Club Cappuccino and the Sons and Daughters of Italy!

VIRGINIA

Though it was a cold, wintry Saturday in the middle of March, Giuseppe Verdi Lodge #315 members decided not to cancel their event—it was time to enjoy some fun events after being curtailed for the last couple of years. The lodge held a Paint-on-Canvas event, where members and friends all enjoyed expressing their own personalities through the patriotism they have for the United States and the pride they have in their Italian heritage.

Most members and friends were “first-timers,” yet they painted as if they were professionals!

Have you or your lodge done something remarkable that makes a difference to your community or promotes our heritage and Italian studies? If so, send details including your lodge’s name/number, a brief write-up, and digital photos of 300 dpi to ItalianAmerica@osia.org.

Women in Wine TRE SORELLE DIVENTANO TRE DONNE

BY CHUCK PECORARO

The wine industry has long been dominated by men, a tradition that dates back to when the first cluster of grapes was converted into a drinkable, desirable red or clear liquid. Women rarely, if ever, held positions of authority in the production or sales of wine.

Years ago, for instance, if you dined at an upscale restaurant and inquired about wine, the sommelier who came to the table was usually a nattily attired gentleman with impeccable manners and recommendations for which wine to pair with your steak, pork chops, seafood, or whatever entrée you ordered.

Enter the same restaurant today and whoever is in charge of the wine is most likely in the 30-40 age group. Rather than wearing a suit, that person might be dressed in casual jeans. And now, that person could very well be a she instead of a he.

The wide world of wine is indeed evolving as more women move into positions of leadership and influence. Gender equality is, in effect, making a profound impact on the culture of winemaking. This is especially the case for Italy, the world’s largest wine producer with 1.5 million acres of vineyards and 310,000 wineries generating 7.5 million bottles of wine annually, according to the Amfori BSCI trade association.

Which brings us to the medieval village of Neive, about 30 miles southeast of Turin in the northern Piedmont region. It’s here, in this idyllic hilltop village, where the transformation is evident threefold. This is the home of the Lequio family that has been making critically acclaimed wine since 1850. Here, not one but three sisters are making an impression in the production and marketing of vino.

Four generations of fathers have involved their sons in managing this estate. Then the winds of change began gusting through the property when Alessandro Lequio took over. As much as he loved his daughters, he initially had no intention of disregarding the men-only custom and transforming it into a female-guided appellation.

In fact, according to his wife, Donna, Alessandro reportedly cried when their third child was born a girl instead of a boy. He welcomed and

Above: The three sorelle: Daniela, Rosanna, and Antonella.

The vineyards of Tre Donne in the Piedmont region of Italy.

Three generations of the Tre Donne family pose among their vineyard. On the right is Alessandro Lequio, who passed in 2016.

adored his new daughter, of course, but the possibility of men no longer running the company was expressed more by tears than cheers.

Reluctant to relinquish control, he considered insisting that each of his daughters marry an experienced vintner who would eventually take over a management position. However, such a drastic request would not only take time, but also interfere with the girls’ personal lives and create discord within the tight-knit family.

Alessandro ultimately accepted the reality of women in winemaking and, in 1988, appointed his three daughters—Antonella, Rosanna, and Daniela—as the overseers of a product that has impressed wine aficionados in Italy and beyond.

He even agreed to change the name on the bottle to reflect a new image for the Lequio brand. The label now reads Tre Donne, or “three women.”

But taking over wasn’t as easy as popping the cork on a bottle of Tre Donne Moscato d’Asti. Alessandro decided to enroll the trio in a series of lessons and tests to develop their knowledge, leadership, and expertise in the making and marketing of fine wine. The tutoring was spread over three years.

Much to his feeling of pride, the ladies mastered the course and passed all tests. What’s more, the wine studied—which came from their vineyard—went on to earn more approval and awards than any of his past vintages. The three sisters had thereby eliminated any doubts that they were ready, willing, and capable to step in and step up the business.

Antonella, the eldest of the threesome, is responsible for finances. Rosanna, with her decisive personality, is in charge of administration, purchasing, and sales. And Daniela,

the youngest, handles personnel and bottling. Their respective husbands— Piernicola, Gianni, and Mauro—are also on the executive staff, as are Antonella’s daughter, Martina, enologist Gianfranco Cordero and technician Piero Roseo.

Together, they oversee acres of lush vineyards and a busy winery atop the Serragrilli Hill. In this relatively cool climate, the vines yield such premium grapes as Barolo, Barbaresco, Moscato, Nebbiolo, and Dolcetto. The Tre Donne brand earned the coveted Italy Golden Winner Award in 2020, a prestigious award among an array of tributes the vineyard has received under the ladies’ supervision. In fact, the sisters won more international competition prizes in their first year than their father did in his entire career.

Since taking over Tre Donne, they have embarked on a conquer-theworld mission. Their plan is not limited to pleasing palates in il bel paese, but also reaching countries around the world from France and Germany and England to Switzerland and Poland to Japan and China to Brazil and the United States.

That’s why, whenever the Lequio clan gathers for a family meal, they never fail to pour some wine, hoist their glasses, and compliment the three sorelle with a rousing, welldeserved “Salute!”

Chuck Pecoraro (chuckpecoraro@sbcglobal.net) has authored more than 1,600 articles on food, wine, and travel for prominent publications and websites, including four for Italian America. (Photos Courtesy of Tre Donne)

Tre Donne’s Winning Wine

What sets the winemaking trio’s wine apart from the competition is an approach that focuses on passion, finesse, and attention to nature. Here are examples of their Piedmontese varietals that have earned praise and plaques, including when the wine was bottled at an average price.

Tre Donne Barolo DOCG 2019

Made with Nebbiolo grapes, this dark garnet-colored wine is aged in French oak for 36 months. It combines fruity and spicy tones with cherry notes and just enough tannins to come across as rich and solid. $43.

Tre Donne Barbaresco DOCG 2005

Aged three years in French oak, then two more years in smaller barriques, this edition exudes violet and bramble bush aromas with a whiff of earthy notes. The fruity flavor is alluring while hints of cranberry, mushrooms, and black tea complement the straw yellow color. $46.

Tre Donne La Perlina Moscato D’Asti 2010

A subtle fizz embraces peach, apple, and nectarine notes with a refreshing, pleasant finish. An easy touch of 5.5% alcohol helps account for its reputation as a value. $10.