Latest news with #Swiss-Italian
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
One of Napa Valley's oldest winemaking families debuts a major tasting room transformation
It's a story made for Hallmark Channel: Tired of the hustle in Hollywood, a screenwriter returns to his sleepy hometown, realizes the story of his career was right in front of him all along and decides to tell it through the revitalization of his family's historic wine business. It sounds scripted, but that's exactly what Greg Pestoni has spent the past decade doing. Now, the transformation of St. Helena's charming Pestoni Family Estate Winery is ready for its premiere. Pestoni credits famed director and winery owner Francis Ford Coppola for inspiring his move from his native Napa Valley to Hollywood after high school in the 1980s. Since the third grade, he was friends with Coppola's son, Roman, and recalls watching rough cuts of 'Apocalypse Now' on a Betamax before it was released. Napa was a quiet agricultural valley, and he was anxious to get out. 'You didn't idolize (your friends) who worked in the vineyard,' said Pestoni.'It was as sexy as picking walnuts.' But after 27 years in the film industry and two discouraging Guild strikes, the screenwriter, who worked on 'The Godfather' movies, returned to a very different Napa Valley, one that felt a lot more like Hollywood than when he left it. There, he found a story he desperately wanted to tell: His family's 130-year-old wine journey. 'This was an unsung period of winemaking,' Pestoni said. 'When you think of the 1890s and the bunch that was making wine, who is still here doing it? Just a few.' In the 1880s, the Swiss-Italian Pestonis arrived in Napa Valley. In 1892, Greg Pestoni's great-grandfather, Albino Pestoni, planted vineyards and built a winery in the Eastern hills on Howell Mountain. The winery shut down due to Prohibition and was sold in the early 1920s; a few years later, Greg Pestoni's grandfather, Henry Pestoni, purchased a property on Whitehall Lane in the Rutherford wine region, now the home of Pestoni's Sauvignon Blanc vineyard. Like many wine families, the Pestonis picked up other agricultural pursuits during Prohibition. Over the years, the family raised chickens, hogs and dairy cows, but it also grew grapes and made bootleg brandy. Henry Pestoni allegedly sold his brandy to staff at the Napa County courthouse and, in return, they'd tip him off about upcoming federal raids. Greg Pestoni's uncles also owned a Napa Valley winery and bootlegged alcohol; the original stone building is now the home of Ehlers Estate. In the early 1960s, Greg Pestoni's father, composting pioneer Bob Pestoni, founded the Upper Valley Disposal Service, revolutionizing winery waste recycling. He went on to own a second operation, the Clover Flat Landfill just south of Calistoga. (The family sold both companies in 2023; last month, federal prosecutors closed an investigation into environmental crimes and obstruction of justice related to both properties, now owned by a company called Waste Connections.) The family went decades without commercially producing wine, but they continued to grow and sell grapes. Then, in 1994, the winery next door came up for sale. Bob Pestoni bought it, and Greg Pestoni's brother, Andy Pestoni, became the winemaker. They named the winery Rutherford Grove after a eucalyptus grove on the property, but it created confusion with two other local businesses, the Rutherford Grill restaurant and Rutherford Hill Winery. 'Someone would ask if we served the duck burger,' joked Greg Pestoni, adding that he felt the name 'sounded like a big operation,' when the winery only makes a few thousand cases of wine a year. Shortly after Greg Pestoni returned home in 2014, he convinced his father to change the name to Pestoni Family Estate Winery. He called relatives to compile old family photos and wrote up the family's history for the website. 'It helped make it a much more personal experience,' Greg Pestoni said. 'I think what's really missing in Napa these days is the people behind something and the story behind something.' The winery has been one of the last remaining embodiments of a down-home era in Napa Valley, before luxury resorts, Michelin-starred restaurants and multi-million-dollar tasting rooms, like its flashy new neighbor, Bella Union. 'You get the feeling of going to somebody's house or being in somebody's yard,' said Greg Pestoni. 'People would say, 'You're like a Sonoma winery in Napa.' They don't want the secret to get out of this place, they don't want to tell anybody.' But remaining a secret isn't good for business, especially during a global downturn in wine sales. Despite Pestoni's prime positioning off Napa Valley's busy Highway 29, the winery has remained under the radar, and like many of the region's older wineries, the family decided to renovate. 'We're in Napa,' Greg Pestoni said. 'We needed to step up.' They started with the large, grassy picnic area surrounded by eucalyptus and redwood trees, which became a COVID-19 pandemic hot spot. 'Saturdays and Sundays were bananas. We were serving on picnic tables and our staff were crossing the lawn in 100-degree heat,' recalled Aimee Pestoni, Greg Pestoni's wife. 'People wanted to be outside, and they still do.' Pestoni kept its picnic lawn — one of the few kid-friendly spots in Napa Valley — but built a new pavilion for more formal tastings. The striking cedar pavilion, featuring a bar, tables and heaters, was designed by the same architect behind San Francisco's Rolex boutiques. Yet a much more significant transformation took place inside the 1995 tasting room. 'There were no seats, you'd slam (the wine) down and go on your way,' said Aimee Pestoni. While the lawn maintains Pestoni's classic, old Napa feel, the new tasting room interior catapults visitors to the present: It's moody, sophisticated and edgy, designed like a cozy study found within a luxurious mountain escape. The space features dark wood, a stone fireplace, velvet bar stools and leather armchairs with fur throws. Geometric fur rugs look like tile from a distance, while custom wallpaper features layers of burlap, hand-painted and then fringed, by an Alaskan artist. The change is a jarring departure from the family's humble roots, but upon closer observation, visitors will find ties to the Pestoni story in every nook and cranny. There's a wall of black and white family photos, including a 1919 capture of Henry Pestoni at his coming home party from World War I, taken at the William Tell Hotel in St. Helena. Historic documents sit underneath the glass top of a coffee table, including the assessment taxes for the original 1892 winery ($2 for four gallons of wine) and a corn sales ledger. A bookshelf displays an antique winemaking tool and remnants of a wooden backpack, which Albino Pestoni made and used while herding in the Swiss Alps in the 1870s. Noted Napa Valley designer Erin Martin also incorporated eclectic homages to the family's history, like an ornate, hand-carved cuckoo clock that nods to their Swiss-Italian heritage. The centerpiece is a massive chandelier constructed from a round, wooden form, which was used to make wine casks in the 19th century. A black crow sculpture sits on the chandelier, a quirky tribute to Joe, Greg Pestoni's pet crow that the family rescued and fed when he was growing up. Andy Pestoni recently retired, so his brother hired renowned consulting winemaker Aaron Pott to help craft the wines, which include classic Napa grapes like Petite Sirah, Sangiovese and Barbera. Fancier tasting experiences ($50-$125) launched with the renovation, but the winery can still accommodate walk-ins and kids. Those looking for something casual can opt for a self-guided tasting at a picnic table ($45) and bring their own provisions, which most Napa Valley wineries don't allow. 'We want to keep that vibe,' said Aimee Pestoni.
Fashion United
20-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Macron backs call to scrap EU sustainability rules
French President Emmanuel Macron boasted that his reforms paved the way for 20 billion euros ($22 billion) in foreign investment projects announced on Monday at the Palace of Versailles. The record figure beat the 15 billion euros announced last year and reinforced France's status as the top draw in Europe for foreign direct investment, according to an EY ranking. About 50 new projects -- covering fintech, cruise ships, and data centres -- were announced at the "Choose France" conference of some 200 corporate bosses. Macron pointed to reforms he has overseen since becoming president in 2017 and vowed to pursue simplification of bureaucracy and rules. He joined Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz in calling on the European Union to abolish a directive on corporate sustainability that requires large companies to show supply chains uphold human rights and environmental standards. Among projects announced was a 6.4-billion-euro investment by US logistics company Prologis to build data centres and warehouses, and a 3.5-billion-euro plan by Swiss-Italian company MSC Cruises to build two passenger ships at France's Saint-Nazaire shipyard. The Versailles event also saw companies confirm 20.8 billion euros of investment in AI projects in France, stemming from promises made at another event in February. Those include an artificial intelligence campus in the Paris region and AI centres elsewhere, including in Marseille. UK fintech company Revolut said it will plough one billion euros into a headquarters for EU countries in Paris. While the government has talked up the results from the forum, at least one analyst said the investment trend in the country was flagging. "The Choose France summit's announcements will likely not be enough to reverse the lag in investment by companies in France," Sylvain Bersinger, chief economist for Asteres, said in a note. Another ranking published in April by international consultants Kearney placed France in third place in Europe for foreign direct investment, and seventh in the world. "France has a lot of advantages, but it can still do better," said the head of Amazon France, Frederic Duval, pointing particularly to red tape. The US giant announced 300 million euros in investment. Executives at the event included Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, Stella Li of China's BYD, and the CEO of Saudi entertainment firm Qiddiya. Representatives of Saudi, Qatari and Abu Dhabi wealth funds were also present, with Macron to open the Paris office of the Saudi Public Investment Fund on Tuesday.(AFP)
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Macron backs call to scrap EU sustainability rules
PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron boasted that his reforms paved the way for 20 billion euros ($22 billion) in foreign investment projects announced on Monday at the Palace of Versailles. The record figure beat the 15 billion euros announced last year and reinforced France's status as the top draw in Europe for foreign direct investment, according to an EY ranking. About 50 new projects -- covering fintech, cruise ships, and data centres -- were announced at the 'Choose France' conference of some 200 corporate bosses. Macron pointed to reforms he has overseen since becoming president in 2017 and vowed to pursue simplification of bureaucracy and rules. He joined Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz in calling on the European Union to abolish a directive on corporate sustainability that requires large companies to show supply chains uphold human rights and environmental standards. Among projects announced was a 6.4-billion-euro investment by US logistics company Prologis to build data centres and warehouses, and a 3.5-billion-euro plan by Swiss-Italian company MSC Cruises to build two passenger ships at France's Saint-Nazaire shipyard. The Versailles event also saw companies confirm 20.8 billion euros of investment in AI projects in France, stemming from promises made at another event in February. Those include an artificial intelligence campus in the Paris region and AI centres elsewhere, including in Marseille. UK fintech company Revolut said it will plough one billion euros into a headquarters for EU countries in Paris. While the government has talked up the results from the forum, at least one analyst said the investment trend in the country was flagging. 'The Choose France summit's announcements will likely not be enough to reverse the lag in investment by companies in France,' Sylvain Bersinger, chief economist for Asteres, said in a note. Another ranking published in April by international consultants Kearney placed France in third place in Europe for foreign direct investment, and seventh in the world. 'France has a lot of advantages, but it can still do better,' said the head of Amazon France, Frederic Duval, pointing particularly to red tape. The US giant announced 300 million euros in investment. Executives at the event included Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, Stella Li of China's BYD, and the CEO of Saudi entertainment firm Qiddiya. Representatives of Saudi, Qatari and Abu Dhabi wealth funds were also present, with Macron to open the Paris office of the Saudi Public Investment Fund on Tuesday.
LeMonde
19-05-2025
- Business
- LeMonde
Macron backs call to scrap EU sustainability rules
French President Emmanuel Macron boasted that his reforms paved the way for 20 billion euros ($22 billion) in foreign investment projects announced on Monday, May 19, at the Palace of Versailles. The record figure beat the 15 billion euros announced last year and reinforced France's status as the top draw in Europe for foreign direct investment, according to an EY ranking. About 50 new projects – covering fintech, cruise ships, and data centers – were announced at the "Choose France" conference of some 200 corporate bosses. Macron pointed to reforms he has overseen since becoming president in 2017 and vowed to pursue simplification of bureaucracy and rules. He joined Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz in calling on the European Union to abolish a directive on corporate sustainability that requires large companies to show supply chains upholding human rights and environmental standards. Among projects announced was a 6.4-billion-euro investment by US logistics company Prologis to build data centers and warehouses, and a 3.5-billion-euro plan by Swiss-Italian company MSC Cruises to build two passenger ships at France's Saint-Nazaire shipyard. The Versailles event also saw companies confirm 20.8 billion euros of investment in AI projects in France, stemming from promises made at another event in February. Those include an artificial intelligence campus in the Paris region and AI centers elsewhere, including in Marseille. UK fintech company Revolut said it will plough one billion euros into a headquarters for EU countries in Paris. France 'can still do better' While the government has talked up the results from the forum, at least one analyst said the investment trend in the country was flagging. "The Choose France summit's announcements will likely not be enough to reverse the lag in investment by companies in France," Sylvain Bersinger, chief economist for Asteres, said in a note. Another ranking published in April by international consultants Kearney placed France in third place in Europe for foreign direct investment, and seventh in the world. "France has a lot of advantages, but it can still do better," said the head of Amazon France, Frederic Duval, pointing particularly to red tape. The US giant announced 300 million euros in investment. Executives at the event included Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, Stella Li of China's BYD, and the CEO of Saudi entertainment firm Qiddiya. Representatives of Saudi, Qatari and Abu Dhabi wealth funds were also present, with Macron to open the Paris office of the Saudi Public Investment Fund on Tuesday. Reuse this content
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
UEFA release unprecedented Gianni Infantino statement after Donald Trump trip
Gianni Infantino angered those present at the annual FIFA Congress in Asuncion, Paraguay on Thursday after arriving late following a trip around the Gulf states with Donald Trump UEFA have issued a strong rebuke after FIFA president Gianni Infantino was late for the biggest annual gathering in football because he'd joined Donald Trump on his Gulf tour to meet world leaders. In a statement, Europe's football governing body have criticised Infantino for prioritising 'private political interests' over the 75th annual FIFA congress in Asuncion, Paraguay. Infantino is becoming increasingly close with US President Trump ahead of the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by three nations in North America, and this summer's Club World Cup in the United States. The Swiss-Italian chief missed a number of key FIFA events, including an official dinner, as the start of the Congress was forced to be delayed by hours on Thursday. Infantino was late after flying in from Qatar following a state dinner to mark Trump's visit. He'd previously travelled to Saudi Arabia with Trump and spent time with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Infantino argued that his trip was justified by pointing to the fact that the USA and Saudi Arabia are staging two of the next three World Cups. He opened his delayed address to the FIFA Congress with an apology to delegates - some of whom had walked out - having flown in on a Qatar Airways jet. But UEFA have issued an unprecedented statement criticising Infantino's decision. European football chiefs told Sky News: "The last-minute changes to the timings of the FIFA Congress are deeply regrettable. "The FIFA Congress is one of the most important meetings in world football, where all the 211 nations in the world's game gather to discuss issues that affect the sport right across the world. Our hosts, the Paraguay FA and our partners at CONMEBOL, had gone to considerable effort to accommodate so many delegates and we thank them for their hospitality. "But to have the timetable changed at the last minute for what appears to be simply to accommodate private political interests, does the game no service and appears to put its interests second. "We are all in post to serve football; from the streets to the podium, and UEFA members of the FIFA Council felt the need on this occasion to make a point that the game comes first and to leave as originally scheduled." Infantino explained his Gulf trip while on stage by saying: "Obviously, some important discussions took place there with regards to the World Cup with some world leaders in politics and economy and I felt like I had to be there to represent all of you, to represent football, I thought I could make it on time but unfortunately we had a little issue with our flight, which caused this delay."
