ONE MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE WINE CELLAR AT THE ITALIAN RESIDENCE OF THE U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ITALY. RONALD SPOGLI: “THANKS TO ITALIAN WINERIES…” THE CELLAR AT THE HISTORIC VILLA TAVERNA DESIGNED BY AGNESE MAZZEI

“Today, we are here to start the new extension to the historic Villa Taverna, the residence of the United States Ambassador to the Italian Republic. Following the tradition of the most famous winery of Villa Borghese, Villa Taverna will also soon have a wine cellar in which guests and visitors will be able to meet”.

These were the words Ambassador Ronald Spogli at the inauguration of the construction of the work designed by Agnese Mazzei, already architect of such wineries as Fonterutoli, Sassicaia (la barriccaia), Castello di Brolio and Antinori (the winery in Montepulciano (not to mention she is also from the historic Florentine family that have been Chianti winemakers since the 1400’s).

Villa Taverna is a residence that was built in the 16th century, located in the heart of Rome, and since 1933, has been the official residence of the U.S. Ambassadors to Italy (the garden is one of the largest and most beautiful in the historic center of Rome). And these American ambassadors have always used Villa Taverna to cultivate relations between the United States and Italy. This year, it is also celebrating its 75th anniversary as its post as residence to ambassadors. In recent years, the Department of State has restructured and enlarged this unique property of rare beauty and enormous value. Contributions from private citizens and by both Italian and American organizations have provided a lot of aid in rendering Villa Taverna the splendid diplomatic seat that it is today. The ambassadors have, in fact, restored the “presidential suite” (which has often been occupied by visiting presidents), built a theatre-cinema (created in the 1980’s by companies from Hollywood), a swimming pool (desired by Kennedy in the 1960’s), and a pizza oven for the beautiful rear terrace.

“Today, instead, it is time to start the work” – continued Spogli – that will add a vanguard winery to this unique property of enormous value: it is a project that reflects the Italian culture and traditions and that of Villa Taverna itself. The visible impact will be minimal, with a single small underground entrance. Once completed, the wine cellar will be able to hold over 5,000 bottles of wine, which will be conserved at a controlled temperature and will also include a reception hall for tastings.

It will be the first wine cellar ever constructed in the residence of an American ambassador, and it is a decidedly significant choice that of the residence in Italy, a country so well known for its eno-gastronomic history, culture and tradition.
And it is also for this reason that Spogli himself has donated some great Italian wines: “yes, I am a great wine enthusiast, but in this case” – explained Spogli – “I am not the protagonist; there are wineries that have invested in this project. During moments of representation (220 dinners, lunches and receptions), wine has always played an important role in the U.S. embassy.
For this reason I said to myself, ‘We must create a wine cellar as a place for meetings and tastings’. It is a project of over one million dollars”.

But the project cannot only be seen as an investment. “This project also wants to celebrate the friendship between the U.S. and Italy and the collaboration between the two countries; it is, therefore, the fruit of a united effort between producers of Italian and American wine. The best wines of Italian and American vintages will now be able to use this new space to the delight of our guests”.

Contributors include: Querciabella, Planeta, Castello Banfi, Marchesi Mazzei, Collemassari, Livernano, Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi, Mastroberardino, Tenuta Greppo di Franco Biondi Santi, Santa Margherita, and Zonin for the Italian producers; for the Americans, Constellation International, Jackson Family Wines, Laetitia Vineyards, Silver Oak Cellars, as well as the American sponsor Robert Day and the united Italian-American producers Marchesi Antinori and Chateau Ste Michelle. “My thanks go to all the donors” concluded the ambassador.

The Architect – Agnese Mazzei offers a preview of the wine cellar at Villa Taverna

In the 1800’s, her ancestors brought grape vines to U.S. president Thomas Jefferson and, now, Agnese Mazzei is designing the wine cellar at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador in Rome.

“It is a project” – explained Mazzei in an interview with WineNews – “that I am proud of, and it is an important coincidence. It is a small project but full of quality, I am truly enthusiastic. It is made of particular but important characteristics”.
Agnese Mazzei has created other wine cellars, first of all for her at Castello di Fonterutoli, as well as at Castello di Brolio, the “barriccaia” at Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri, and the Antinori wine cellar in Montepulciano.
”The wine cellar at Villa Taverna is hypogeum, that is, almost completely underground. It has been created from a link to the catacombs and, thus, from the villa the wine cellar can be reached passing under the entire garden. It is structured on three levels: the wine cellar, with all of the ideal conditions that it must have; the reception hall; the tasting area. It is a vertical project, from the garden only a skylight can be seen, and the three levels are connected by landings. Once the work is completed, it will be able to hold 5,000 bottles conserved at a constant temperature”.
The wine cellar was strongly desired by Ambassador Spogli because it is a point where one will be able to discuss economics, politics, international questions, or all of the things that can best be discussed sitting around a table with a good glass of wine.

”It will definitely be a place for great encounters”;
Ambassador Spogli pointed out to Mazzei.

The Mazzei family is among the Italian names who have given their support, motivated also by the privileged relationship that, historically, has linked it to American institutions. A relationship that over two centuries ago was inaugurated by another Filippo Mazzei and President Jefferson, with whom he collaborated on the drawing up of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. In fact, Filippo Mazzei was the author of one of the most famous passages of the document and for this reason is celebrated as an American patriot.

And, it cannot be forgotten that it was the drive for the experimentation of new varietals that drove Filippo Mazzei to the U.S. as well as the fate that it would be his Sangiovese grapes brought from Tuscany planted at Jefferson’s estate in Monticello, Virginia.

Piero Mastroberardino, one of the most prestigious Italian winemakers in the world: “The wine cellar? It’s a beautiful message of friendship on behalf of the American government…”

So, why has a winery united with the wine cellar project at Villa Taverna? WineNews asked Piero Mastroberardino, the head of one of the most important and well known Italian wineries in the world. “It is a beautiful message of friendship on behalf of the American government, and it is an important partnership project between an enormous institution, the U.S. government, and a smattering of small companies from the world of prestigious Italian winemaking who make this country great. With this project, the U.S. emphasizes Italian excellence in a difficult moment for the world market and of financial crisis”.

“We are representatives” – confirmed Mastroberardino – “of that real economy that could save the economic future of our country on foreign markets”.