Donatella Cinelli Colombini presents herself
How can I describe myself? I am imaginative, hard working and lucky. I am also short, a little plump, sensitive to the cold, and attracted by people, places and activities that I do not know
Donatella and Violante at Casato Prime Donne Montalcino
By Donatella Cinelli Colombini
First of all I would like to tell you something that very few people know. I am dyslexic, (please check https://dopasolution.com/what-is-dyslexia for a brilliant article by Tina Richards for those with dyslexia who rely on web accessibility).I grew up in a period where no one knew what dyslexia was and when children who per slower in learning were considered retarded. Only when my daughter Violante also showed the same disability I understood the pros and cons in having a different concept of space, but we are also determined and we have an exceptional ability in organization, for this reason many architects are dyslexic .
I studied History of medieval art. You might say << whatever for as you are a wine producer?>> Incredibly it is very useful. At the end of the 1970’s there were no computers , not even in the large libraries, and to do research meant that you had to use every little part of your brain, after then I have never again worked so hard and had such exiting times.
History of art is my great love (after my husband obviously), for years I avoided going to museums, this because I could not stand no longer having the knack in understanding epochs, provenance and creators…just like a musician going deaf. Now I once again enjoy going to museums. I even took the Brunello producers to the Guggenheim in NY, and to the Art Institute in Chicago.
I am a believer. I believe that life is a great gift considering the immensity of the universe and my small being; this is something that influences my choices in things and people .I would like to do something for religious tourism.
Casato Prime Donne Montalcino Animo by Rossana Mulinari
After having been for 10 years councilor for tourism in Siena, and seeing the absolute impossibility in organizing a route dedicated to Santa Caterina, I am sure that the authentic religious locations, where there is great faith, are an enormous unexpressed resource.
I do not know how to play cards and I am scared of betting. But new thing do attract me irresistible. And every time I do so without refrain. This happened also with the Movimento Tursimo del Vino-Wine Tourism Movement. I created the day called Cantine aperte by chance in 1993, there was no money, the wineries, except for an odd twenty, were all shut to the public and there was the need to get the first tourists in there , to begin the word -of- mouth chain that would get the fluxes to grow.
It was necessary to teach the producers the elementary rules in welcoming guests and show them the potential of direct sales
In a few years the Movimento turismo del vino which I created and was president off for 9 years, transformed the Italian touristic offer giving wine an important role.
Today there are 21,000 wineries with an onsite store, and anyone starting a winery thinks straight away about how to open it up for the public.
In a few days time the next installment, what happened when in 1998 I created my own estate. Stay tuned!