Italian Wine and all things Italian

For many years renowned wine author Terry Robards, Dr. John Lusins, and John Scarzafava, Esq. discussed the formation of an Italian wine society. In furtherance of this goal Robards and Scarzafava met with the Marques d’ Barolo in Barolo to discuss creation of an Italian wine society in the U.S.. This meeting further whetted their appetite to create an Italian wine society. In 2001, the editor of La Cucina Italiana, the premier Italian food magazine in America, sought Terry Robards’ help to establish an Italian wine society headquartered in New York City. They successfully birthed this society and it bore the name La Compagnia di Bacco, the friends of Bacchus. Shortly after the formation of La Compagnia di Bacco, it was decided by that group to establish two other chapters, one in Connecticut and one in upstate New York. Scarzafava was selected to lead the upstate New York Chapter as its first Curator, with Robards receiving the title of Curator Emeritus. The first event of the newly formed chapter was held in the home of John and Jeanie Scarzafava in October 2002. The event was featured in a two page multi colored spread in La Cucina Italiana.

In a short period of time, however, it became clear that the parent organization in New York City was not a good fit for the upstate New York chapter. At that time Terry Robards and John Scarzafava decided to make the upstate chapter an autonomous organization. In 2003, the name of the upstate chapter was changed to L’Ordine Della Vite, The Order of the Vine. Its mission was to explore and appreciate the magnificence of all things Italian, with special emphasize on its food and wine. The motto of the organization was adopted as “Non Basta Una Vite”, “One Life is Not Enough”. John Scarzafava served as the first Curator of the Order, facilitating transference between the two societies. After five years at the helm of the society Scarzafava joined Robards as Curator Emeritus, and Johannes Neckermann was selected to lead the Order. During his tenure Neckermann continued to grow the Society and to build a substantial treasury, which has allowed the Society to flourish. After exceptional service, in 2008 Neckermann assumed the title Curator Emeritus and Marie Lusins was selected to lead the Society.

From its inception L’Ordine Della Vite has been an exciting group. There have been black tie dinners at the Caterina de Medici Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America, with accompanying music by renowned Italian tenor, Moreno Fruzetti. There have been dinners in the kitchen of the Otesaga Resort in Cooperstown, the Horned Dorset Restaurant in Leonardsville and Michael’s Restaurant in Albany. The picnic style events such as those hosted by Marie Lusins at her home and Marc and Elaine Bresee at their home, were much like a traditional Sunday afternoon spent among Italian families. Whether formal or informal, the members have shared a common bond, the appreciation of what it takes to produce a rich civilization, especially the labor of those whose efforts are not always acknowledged by society at large. L ‘Ordine Della Vite looks to the future with promise while at the same time being firmly rooted in the past; the culture of Italy!