Ginevra embraces her new role as manager of the ‘L’ Agrirelais’ the vineyard’s luxury resort, while also mastering the techniques and artistry of wine-production, profiting from her grandfather’s immense and profound knowledge and experience.

Being a young woman in a role of leadership and management in a region of Italy so entrenched in traditions and perceptions of a woman’s role in society, obviously has its share of challenges. Lucky for Ginevra she relishes in the face of a challenge.

‘In the beginning it was difficult as some of the non-regular workers at the Baglio would not respond directly to me when I asked a question; but instead, to anyone who was not a woman.’

‘Being a woman, they don’t expect you to have a relationship with them on a working level, as it is not in their culture or tradition.’

‘It has taken time, but the respect has been well worth the effort.’

For Ginevra however the real challenge is keeping the delicate balance between femininity and leadership. Remaining feminine and sweet as a woman while still maintaining strong leadership qualities that will earn her respect and trust from the workers at the Baglio.

This she seems to be mastering; sporting a fresh, feminine, stylish quality in her appearance and manner, she melds in well with the workers, chatting and joking in the vineyard during the annual harvest.

Drawing on her background in the theatre in Milan, she says that it is much the same dynamic played out in the vineyard.

‘In the theatre you are not just the director or the actor, you are also helping to move lights, helping with costumes and other things, in the vineyard it is the same; you are there doing many things, not just managing or making decisions, you are there doing everything.’

‘For this reason it all came easily to me to use my skills and experience here in the vineyards and with the winemaking.’

It is this hands-on, adaptable approach, that enables Ginevra to shine and succeed (in style) as a woman and a leader at the Baglio.

Photos and words © Susan Wright

I truly get to meet some intriguing people from all walks of life.

One such recent occasion was for an assignment for an editorial on fellow Australian, Dr Rodney Lokaj, a medieval philologist and his beautiful 14th century watchtower; ‘I Cerri’, in the Spoleto Valley in Umbria.

‘Love at First Sight’ is an endearing story about a young Australian student who arrived in Italy some 20 years ago in pursuit of his dreams, one of them; to find and restore an exquisite medieval property.

Dr Lokaj has since lectured in Medieval Latin and Italian at universities in Oxford, Edinburgh, Milan and Rome and ‘I Cerri’ is now listed with the National Trust of Italy for it’s historical, cultural and artistic value.

Here are some of my favourite images from the shoot:

You can find out more about ‘I Cerri’ and Dr Rodney Lokaj at the website:

http://www.icerri.it/

Words and Photos © Susan Wright

After having lived 5 years in the central district of Monti, not far from the Colosseum, I got to really experience the life and pulse of the city. The chaos and frantic energy of modern day life, juxtaposed against the vast history and quiet, timeless beauty of this remarkable ancient city.

Rione Monti,  the 1st Rione (district) of Rome, is nestled in the historic heart of the city, in a secluded pocket between the major monuments, sites and tourist attractions.

It is a thriving community of artists, designers, actors, authors, the fashionable, the beautiful and the quirky. Here you will find some of the best bars, artisan workshops, vintage clothing boutiques, art galleries, delicatessens and organic food markets, scattered amongst the meandering, cobblestone streets and alleyways.

Living in Monti, is like experiencing life in a little village, while still being immersed in the heart of a bustling, dynamic, city.

HERE IS A COLLECTION of images and locations from our ‘Monday in Rome’, excursion, including Monti, Testaccio, Aventino and surrounds, as featured in the Nederlands Dagblad and De Gelderlander editorials.

Photos and words © Susan Wright

Within the interiors of some of Italy’s beautiful baroque and renaissance churches, the light is simply exquisite.

Here are a few photos from my Italy Archive that I wanted to share on the eve of Christmas 2011.

Interior of the Cathedral of Siena, (Il Duomo di Siena), constructed between 1215 and 1263, Tuscany, Italy

Beam of light illuminates the interior detail of the Basilica Santi Apostoli, (Holy Apostles) Piazza Santi Apostoli, Rome, Italy

Detail inside the church of Gesu, (Chiesa di San Gesù), Rome, Italy

Wishing you all sublime happiness for Christmas 2011.

Over the past few decades after much research and experimentation, producers have developed the wine into a full-bodied dry red wine, Montefalco Sagrantino Secco DOCG, now enjoying international popularity.

In late autumn the hills around Montefalco are ablaze as the vines orchestrate a symphony of colour and beauty before the bleak dormant winter months approach.

View more photos.

I felt this way when I was in Palermo recently shooting photos at the local markets and trattorie.

It’s a bit of a sensory overload – and this is what makes it so appealing.

Here are some photos I shot for a recent article on the markets and street food of this extraordinary city.

Click through to view more images here:

Words and photos © Susan Wright

There is such a wonderful vibe you feel upon arrival, which is almost tangible. The beauty, art, history and romance is everywhere!

It is no wonder Florence is one of the most popular destinations to visit for tourists coming to Italy.

This ever increasing popularity and mass tourism, is not seen as such a favourable trend for some however.

The artigiani (artisans) and their botteghe (workshops) are disappearing at a rapid rate due to the increasing demands of valuable real estate within the historic centre.

Workshops, that over the centuries have created exquisite, hand-crafted products that were commissioned by nobility, are now making way for an influx of new b&bs and budget accommodation.

This once thriving industry, which over the centuries has been vital to the culture and community of Florence is vanishing.

In the Santo Spirito area by the River Arno, I met and photographed three of the remaining few artisans, a bookbinder, violinmaker and wood carver. Erico Giannini, Aldo Santini and Luigi Mecocci.

View photos of these artisans from my Italy Stock Archive

Rome’s original working class district, Testaccio has been undergoing a transformation. The old abattoir, spanning over 105,000 square meters, is now home to the Macro Contemporary Art Centre, as well as a host of bio-agricultural and fair-trade markets and shops.

The streets and piazzas of this edgy quarter are now characterised by hip, fashionable cafes, bars, bookshops and food stores, mingling amongst Rome’s finest and best restaurants.

For an authentic cultural experience in Rome, head to Testaccio!

View photos from a recent article in Discovery magazine:

With camera, tripod and a good dose of curiosity in hand, I took to the streets to photograph some of the finest artisan coffee bars, their talented baristas and discovered the art of hand-roasted coffee.

The choice was many and varied, from an upbeat vibe at ‘Castroni’ on Via Nazionale, where a handsome, fashion-conscious crowd of Romans, jostle shoulder to shoulder for their lunchtime fix, to ‘San Eustaccio’ near the Pantheon, popular with Romans and tourists alike, for the finest quality arabica coffee blends, hand roasted daily on premises.

See photos and article in ‘Bean Scene’ magazine.

Very much at ease in front of the camera, I found Paolo to be very charismatic, magnetic and energetic, his enthusiasm and optimism, contagious.

Paolo’s passion and love for wine and Sicily combined with his vision and dream, have created and developed this beautiful 88 hectare vineyard, producing some 40,000 – 50,000 cases of wine annually.

View photos from a recent article in Italianicious magazine