It is with great satisfaction that we toast this new adventure, which the Consorzio Terre del Levante Fiorentino is bringing to life by taking our most important products to the United States. All regional institutions have expressed their support of the Wine&Fashion Florence initiative, which places increased emphasis on the traditional products and ‘know-how’ of our area.
The south-eastern part of Florence is well-known for its wine and food products, its artisans, artwork, landscape and its fashion. Though we are very close to the city of Florence, our area is primarily rural, boasting a just small percentage of residential and business structures. Nonetheless, the area is a quality environment with a high standard of living that values open space and fosters the development of both the farming and small business sector.
More precisely, our greatest pride and joy is the small business sector, and especially the hand made luxury leather goods produced in the area. Our territory is filled with small and midsized companies that are committed to combining research, education and good taste while constantly looking towards the future. Ceramic arts are also rich in tradition and have been taken to a new level by many of our local maestros. These are true workshops, where the artist works and shows his work, offering a modern reading of ancient traditions. Thanks to the tenacity and prominence of its artisans, the Levante Fiorentino is also the land of frescos, mosaics and the scagliola—a term used to describe the colored inlay that uses ‘poor’ materials like plaster, pigments and natural glues, but also used to distinguish a type of chalk stone called selenite found in nature in the form of lamellar granite or chips.
The eastern part of Florence also produces a host of fine wines thanks to the area’s mild climate and to the expertise and passion of its vintners. These wines come from technically advanced vineyards, which have been studied by up-to-date professionals who know how to reach the perfect balance between the demands of tradition and those of the international market. A small taste of this tradition will be offered during the US showcase.
All that is left for us to do is hope that our area continue to preserve the traits that make it both unique and fascinating, rich in charm, and in those little things that make all the difference.
Marco Mairaghi
Mayor of Pontassieve
Marcello Ulivieri
President of the Consorzio Terre del Levante Fiorentino
