Italy

The passage of time has a way of enhancing mysteries as well as wine. In the cellar of the Villa Vignamaggio, in Chianti, Tuscany, the fruit of the vine waits in darkness, quietly, patiently, continuously transforming itself until its time is Aripe. After enjoying a life among the beautiful cypresses, olive trees and vineyards that surround the villa, the fermenting wine makes a home in large casks, themselves lit only by a cluster of golden lights. It is a light not unlike the light in which a famous but enigmatic resident was cast some 500 years ago. Much is speculated but little is known about Lisa Gherardini, except that she was born and raised at the Villa Vignamaggio in 1479, married the wealthy Florentine businessman Francesco del Giocondo in 1495, and was painted by Leonardo da Vinci as Mona Lisa in 1503. But then again, which of us would not count ourselves lucky to be remembered in any light, mysterious or otherwise?