Cecchi's Story
Anita and Luigi, a story of love and wine
This is the love story of a young man who had a winery and a young woman who made wine barrels.
Here is the story of Luigi and Anita Cecchi in her own words.
I was among the first women in Tuscany to drive a scooter. My scooter was not only used to go to work, but it was also the perfect travel companion taking me to the Chianti countryside, beach and mountains. I have always been a woman with little fear and very independent. The scooter was always there during the good times and bad.
My mother was concerned that my free spirit would seem undesirable for any suitor. In fact, it was not. Everyday I went to visit Martha, a niece of my aunt, passing by Orazio, a kind of hangout in Poggibonsi in the '50s.
It was there where Luigi would drink his coffee and began curiously observing this young woman who was driving a two-wheeler.
To be honest our first date was actually based on a bet. Luigi thought it would be a goal to conquer a little fearless thing as myself, so with the help of Martha, he organized our first date.
Almost by accident we soon ended up dancing in front of a small orchestra in Poggibonsi. Our first dance was followed by a second date in Radda in Chianti for a snack.
During this time I worked in my family's business, where up to the late '50s in addition to steel production we also produced wine barrels.
My ambition was to become an architect, but in those days it was a woman's work. The courses were attended only by men, so I began to express my passion for drawing at art school.
Unfortunately, two terrible events changed my life's perspective. First came the death of my father followed by the death of my dear grandmother.
I soon began working with an awareness and commitment in the family business. My company, despite the disasters of the war was going well. Before the war we had 120 workers in an industry of iron and timber for the construction of barrels. With the making of concrete vats my father decided to devote himself solely to iron.
However, these experiences brought me respect from Luigi's father Cesare, who gave Luigi permission to drive his car in order to go out with me.
In Caesar I saw a man with vision, ambition, striving to progress and innovate. He opened my mind with his optimism and creativity.
Like other love stories today, our love story had moments of being apart, but we always found our way back to each other.
On August 1, 1955 Luigi, a very direct and pragmatic man, asked me "We can either break up or get married, what do you think?" I replied "We should get married! I am ready to go to Colle di Val d'Elsa and get my baptism certificate." Luigi said "Yes, but let's get married right away because I have to harvest the grapes soon."
I still remember the day I called my mother asking where I was baptized. She asked me why and I said "Because I'm getting married!" Twenty nine days later on August 29, 1955 we got married. We went to Forte dei Marmi for our honeymoon and were accompanied by one of the most trusted agents who worked for Cecchi who organized a romantic dinner at Gambrinus in Lido di Camaiore. I still have the rose that Luigi gave me from that night!
I did not start working for Cecchi Winery right away. I waited until our children, Cesare and Andrea, were in elementary school. Initially, I went in the mornings while the afternoons were spent walking in the countryside with the kids.
After all of the walks I took my sons on, Luigi decided to purchase Villa Cerna because he said he wanted a place in the countryside for his family.
The following years were happy years. We traveled a lot and met incredible people from all over the world. We have promoted our wines all over the United States, Mexico, Canada, Australia...
We have been a great support for one another, a balance which has been the basis of our relationship that lasted 49 wonderful years. Our success came both from our joint participation and commitment.
-Anita Sardelli Cecchi and Chiara Bellacci, translated by Tiana Madera
