Marco De Bartoli in the words of his children

During the conference organized by the city of Marsala in memory of Marco De Bartoli, Renato and Giuseppina recalled through images, anecdotes and memories an extraordinary father.

You will find below the text of Renato’s speech, the pictures chosen for the occasion by Giuseppina and turned into a video, and her thanksgiving to those participating to the event and those being there only with their thoughts.

Speech of Renato De Bartoli:

– They thought of him: Marcuzzo, crazy, bizarre, reckless, disorganized, deluded, waster, grouch
– The social networks describe him as: legendary, unique, a lion, a great man, the best, unforgettable, the numebr 1, a true man, the vintner in the sun, l’enfant terrible of Marsala

– Accused and absolved for : wine adulteration, environmental damages, cover up of archeological finds

– His clothes: pride, simplicity, humility, dignity, courage, identity

– His lovers (all his cars): Fulvia, Osella, Ardea, Appia, Giulia, Giulietta, Bianchina, Flaminia, Flavia, Giardinetta

– His nightmares: downy and powdery mildew, Gambero Rosso, Regional Institution for Vine and Wine, district attorney’s office, ATF Bureau, Producers associations, banks, territorial prejudice, mediocrity

– On the table: pasta with garlic, pesto, onions, basil, “mataracco” sauce, fried eggplants, grandma’s egg balls, peaches with wine

– Favourite/soul mates wines: Soldera, Gravner, Quintarelli, Giuseppe Rinaldi, Renato Ratti, Giacomo Bologna, Masciarelli, Valentini, Livio Felluga, Marco Schioppetto

– Passions: sea, cars, friends, food, wine, nap, work, wood

– Recurring terms: minchia (shit), biped, human material

– Recurring quotes:

“Wine is a cultural synthesis”

“Every variety is the integration between grape and environment”

“The variety is the genius of wine”

“For us the vine is life”

“The well-being of dignity”

“We can see clearly only with our heart”

“In the wine industry it is important to be as relevant as possible to the territory and to the historic and cultural evidence of our country. Also the name of a wine should follow this principle”

“Giving a wine a fancy name is a defeat for its territory”

“Color, aroma, taste and intelligence are the qualities needed to know, recognize and evaluate a wine. It is then logical that a tasting, like love, starts from the eyes”

“Sicily is Italy with an African inclination, and it is the most irresistible cocktail of West and East. It is the paradise of wine and food”

– Profile of a simple man, but intuitive and sensitive, grown in an important historical context. What he did is fairly basic, but with foudamental historic traits:

a) rediscovering a forgotten wine like perpetuum, and valuing and experimenting with an ancient variety such as Grillo which, in those years, was thrown out by cheap varieties such as Trebbiano and Grecanico

b) all this would have been easier if he was not alone. A territory becomes great when there’s a common goal

c) he counted only on his interpersonal skills, and become the marketing tool of himself, with an inner strenght that sometimes he was so surprised at himself

d) of course, his will for personal and  territorial redemption have been the greater energy and motivation ever

e) he never worried his territory to be considered subordinate

f) he thought of great wines of the world on a par and with a competitive spirit

For me and my brother and sister he is a model, and I hope it is the same for other people

Thanksgiving of Giuseppina De Bartoli:

Thanks to all those who wished and were able to take part to this conference. Also, thanks to all those who would have loved to be here, I know they were here with their thoughts and their affection.
Those not taking part to the event, once more, have lost the opportunity to understand, know and learn.
My father was always able to create around him, only with his presence, a magnetism, an attention, a participation and a one of a kind magic.
And yesterday he succeeded in recreate all this, just with his memory. It was wonderful.
His life, his courage, his honesty, his humility and his generosity will always live and be unscarred in the hearts of those who knew him. And this is the true victory.

Translation by Marilena Leta