Grapevines & Olive Groves of an Italian Village

Summary

The text describes the author's personal connection to the bountiful harvest of grapes and olives in Rocca San Giovanni, Italy, and the impact of these experiences on their appreciation for the region's agriculture and family traditions.

Abstract

The article "Grapevines & Olive Groves of an Italian Village" delves into the author's cherished memories and recent experiences in Rocca San Giovanni, Italy. The author reflects on the intriguing writing prompt of harvesting and food, reminiscing about the abundant Italian garden of their parents filled with lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, garlic, and grapes. The narrative recounts the author's visits to their parents' birthplace, particularly at ages 3, 9, and 15, highlighting the cultural shock and eventual appreciation for the rural lifestyle, including the beach trips, fresh air, and the warmth of the locals. The author fondly recalls the distinctive olive oil and fresh local bread, as well as the labor of stringing tobacco and picking potatoes. A brief return visit in 2015 rekindled the author's love for the region, emphasizing the dedication of farmers in producing excellent wines and olive oil. The discovery of Cantina Frentana, a sustainable winery nearby, added to the enjoyment of the trip, showcasing the fine wines of the area, including the renowned Montepulciano. The text concludes with the author's gratitude for the fresh and simple food of Abruzzo and the indelible memories associated with the grapevines and olive groves of Rocca San Giovanni.

Opinions

The author finds the topic of harvesting and food intriguing, which prompts a reflection on their family's agricultural practices and the local Autumn experiences.
There is a deep appreciation for the family tradition of winemaking and the vast fields of grapes in the parents' hometown, indicating a strong connection to their Italian heritage.
The author experienced a cultural shock as a city girl during their rural visits but came to value the simplicity and purity of the countryside, including the open land, fresh air, and beach trips.
The olive oil from the region is described as distinctive and incredibly tasty, suggesting a high quality and a preference for this local product.
The author expresses gratitude for the farmers' dedication to cultivating grapes and olives, acknowledging the hard work that goes into producing high-quality wines and olive oil.
The visit to Cantina Frentana winery is highlighted as a particularly enjoyable experience, indicating a fondness for sustainable wineries and the wines produced in the Abruzzo region.
The author cherishes the simple, fresh food of the area, especially the pizza with the freshest tomato sauce, and holds the harvest of grapevines and olive groves in high regard as peak memories of the region.

Rocca San Giovanni, Italy Offers a Bountiful Harvest

This month’s writing prompt on the topic of harvesting and food was intriguing. At first I just thought of local Fall finds in Southern Ontario, but had yet to make my way into enjoying the local Autumn experiences and foods to go along with it. I then thought back to my parents and their Italian Garden. An incredible bounty of lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, garlic, and even a few grapes on the vine. Fantastic memories of enjoying meals as a family with this fresh produce are treasured.

My Dad used to make wine every year as well (but had to buy bushels of grapes for that). In the land of his youth, there were vast fields of grapes to be harvested. They can be found right in the region they were born and raised — a small hamlet called Puncichitti in Rocca San Giovanni, Italy. This rural town is in the Abruzzo region of Italy, surrounded by mountains and sea.

I first visited the region for a long summer visit to see relatives and family friends as a 3-year-old, but clearly remember my subsequent visits at ages 9 and 15. Especially as a teenager and city girl, spending two months in a rural, small area was a culture shock. But I came to appreciate the open land, the fresh air, the beach trips, the warmth of the people, and the bounty of the harvest.

The olive groves produce a distinctive, incredibly tasty olive oil. The olives are harvested in the Fall, so I never did get to see the process, but I did savor the flavor. I have memories of my kind and generous Aunt slicing fresh local bread daily which I would enjoy with that delicious olive oil as a satisfying snack. It is hard to recreate that experience fully, but sometimes I can get a sense of it and bask in the simple, pure nostalgia.

I did have the chance to finally return to Rocca San Giovanni many years later in 2015, and the visit was brief (as it was combined with a visit to Rome-located about a 3-hour bus ride away) The trip to Italy in total was just over a week, so I am glad we focused on the two areas only in order not to feel too rushed. While it was a short 3-night trip to the countryside of my parent’s birth — it was moving and rewarding to return to this unspoiled, beautiful area and to visit the people I hold dear who remain, including new generations. It brought a renewed excitement to see those vast fields where the olives and grapes (along with potatoes and tobacco) grow in person.

That is what I remember putting real work into —stringing the tobacco and picking potatoes as a teenager. As for harvesting the grapes and olives, I am happy to know that this bounty exists to produce excellent-tasting wines and olive oil, and am grateful for those that work the fields with such dedication.

On our brief trip, we were fortunate to have a family friend drive us around to a few places, and one stop was an especially pleasant surprise for a wine lover like me. I didn’t realize there was a lovely sustainable winery called Cantina Frentana within about a 5-minute drive, right in town. This collective winery is in a beautifully designed space with fine-tasting wines (including the Montepulciano wines Abruzzo is known for) and many others, and a gorgeous lookout to the fields and town. An enjoyable visit on a lovely day.

The variety of food harvested in this region of Abruzzo, Italy is plentiful. It continues to be the lifeblood of many farmers in the area as it is passed down to new generations. I am grateful for spending time here as a youngster and returning to see it with fresh eyes.

During the visit, I enjoyed the incredibly fresh and simple food of the area (such as pizza slices with the freshest tomato sauce) and marveled at my uncle’s neighbor’s bright tree with countless juicy lemons. But the peak memories of the area’s harvest for me will always be the grapevines and olive groves of Rocca San Giovanni.