RIP Domenico

Last week we received a very sad e-mail from our friend Diana, owner of Baur B and Bin Piemonte and all-round brilliant woman . . .

I am so sorry to tell you that we lost Domenico of Cascina St. Ubaldo this past weekend.  He died suddenly of a major heart attack.  We are absolutely gutted. He was one of our dearest friends here, and gave us and our guests so much joy.  I know how much you each enjoyed your visits to him, so I wanted to share this news with you.  We were so lucky to know him, his wine, his passion for this life, a life that was altogether too short.  He was 61.

Sad news indeed.

Paul and I have such vivid and happy memories of our visit to Cascina St. Ubaldo. In fact, we had been discussing the visit with the friends we met up with in San Diego less than two weeks ago. After reading Diana's e-mail we took some time to remember the man we knew briefly, his incredible wines, and the happiness he brought to our trip . . .

In 2008 when we had the pleasure of staying at the Baur B and B in Acqui Terme. Diana planned a special treat for us. . . knowing that we enjoyed wine she arranged a visit with Domenico Botto, a well-known local wine maker.

Diana drove us to his house where we met him outside the house. Domenico ushered us into his dining room where we sat at his dining room table for the tasting. He had arranged 5 bottles of wine for us to taste (with a sixth one chilling in the refrigerator). A small producer, he took care of everything related to making the wines that aged in a huge cellar carved into the tufa rock beneath his house.

He brought out salami and a freshly baked focaccia so that we could have food enabling us to get the full enjoyment from the wine. He wis a master winemaker - the wines were incredible. What a beautiful experience to sit with the wine-maker around his table while he shares his wines with you.

Domenico was a character. He was in constant motion - laughing and gesturing as Italians are wont to do. In fact, most of the photos I took are blurred - not because of the vino I had consumed but because he moved so quickly and often. The energy , love of life, and love of the vine was infectious!

The time flew by. He asked us if we wanted to see the cellar where the wine was made - of course we jumped at the opportunity. Down in the caves he asked us if we wanted a barrel tasting so we would be able to taste the development of the wine as it aged. This was a first for us. All I can say is that the 2007 will be an incredible vintage! Even though young, you could still taste the powerful potential.

We bought 5 bottles of wine to take home with us. Then Domenico asked us which had been our favourite and he put two more bottles into a bag for us as a gift from him. This is something that has never happened to us at a winery before! Certainly this would never happen in Napa!

The prices were fair (read CHEAP). In total we bought a case of 12 Brachetto for Palma and our five bottles. The cost - € 120! It would have been more but Domenico rounded DOWN. I can see why Diana and Micha LOVE this guy.

Comments

[Diana Strinati Baur]

Thanks Jerry and paul. It brought tears to my eyes. We will miss him but are happy that we and our guests could share his wines and his company while he was still with us. Rest in peace,indeed.

Let's remember to honor him - by enjoying each and every day!

[Rebecca]

Awww, no. I remember reading about him on Diana's blog and in your trip report and thinking what a great experience that was. I'm sad we won't be as lucky as you were.

[Anne]

What a wonderful tribute to a lovely sounding gentleman.44

[nancyhol]

I just read Diana's blog and saw the sad news about Domenico.

Bill and I also did a winetasting at Domenico's house this past September. We loved the wines, the atmosphere and, of course, Domenico.

He was so REAL, and you could tell by talking to him that he LOVED what he did.

So very sad . . .

[JDeQ]

Diana - I'm thankful that you were able to arrange this for us. I can only imagine how challenging this will e for Domenico's family and those of you who knew him!

Lucky you nancy to have these happy memories too. I wish I hadn't drank all of that brachetto. SIGH