Emilio and Rosa

It is often counterproductive and sometimes embarrassing to write about friends because some may think you are being bias. And so even when there is a good story to tell, one full of particulars because you know them first-hand being their friends, you tend to downplay certain aspects to avoid any suspicion or criticism. But this time I say to hell with it.

I have no qualms about Emilio and Rosa Rotolo being my friends. In fact, I was even Rosa’s witness when they got married and if anyone has a problem with that then too bad. They have been living for years in Togliano, near Cividale del Friuli, ever since Emilio acquired Volpe Pasini, an historic Colli Orientali wine estate founded in 1586. He bought it almost by chance, being a real estate investor, and only later became captivated by the lure of the vineyard and making wine.

Emilio is originally from Calabria, born in Tropea, the son of a famous pastry chef. After taking a degree in medicine he moved to Friuli with the intention of pursuing that profession but ended up becoming an expert in real estate investments. Rosa, on the other hand, is from Venice, a very beautiful, kind and elegant woman. She is a few years older than Emilio but you could never tell since she looks a lot younger than he does.

Both had been previously married and had children but when they met it was clear they were made for each other, a rare case of true love in which they shared a complicity in everything including wine.
And ever since they have had Volpe Pasini, making wine making the best wine possible has become an integral part of their relationship. Emilio is a perfectionist and he approached this new world, in an area of great prestige, with the determination of someone from far away who had something to prove. Rosa backed him up in this with the encouragement and support that only a woman in love can offer.

And today, 20 years later, when Emilio speaks in public about “we Friuli winemakers” you can at most make fun of his southern accent. You cannot criticize his garden-like vineyards nor his wines, the Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon in the Zuc di Volpe line first among them, nor his business savvy, something no one would dare dispute.
For a few years now, his son has been working at the estate and Emilio has put him in charge of relations with the Schiopetto family, above all with Maria Angela and Carlo, who are closer to his son’s age. This because, around two years ago, Emilio bought their legendary winery leaving Mario Schiopetto’s offspring to run it while he would busy himself with relaunching the brand and taking care of administrative matters with no intention of interfering with the winemaking side. This because “I can only learn from Mario Schiopetto. His approach and winery are avant-garde and his vineyards are a wonder to behold,” he told me.

To be a successful entrepreneur means to know how to see the full picture and to make decisions accordingly and not simply give orders. Emilio has learned this lesson well and the success he has had is evidence of this.
No one would have imagined all this some 20 years ago when he began this adventure as an absolute beginner, a Calabrian doctor who moved to Friuli and then became a winemaker. And while certainly not a young man at the time, he had the courage to fall head-over-heels for a woman and reinvent a new life with her.
And yes, while it is true that Emilio and Rosa are my friends, you have to admit that theirs is a great story, isn’t it?