Our Story

A Family and a Place.

This is the story of our young family and Pietro 17, a boutique estate winery where we grow the finest grapes and produce the most interesting wine we possibly can. A place of harmony where nature and tradition thrive alongside innovation and modern rurality. The name Pietro 17 is an homage to our location, on contrada San Pietro number 17, in Staffolo, the heart of the Castelli di Jesi in the Marche region. At this precise location we manage the entire production cycle, from grape growing to wine making all the way until bottling.

Pietro 17 is a member of the family, and we treat it with the same respect and importance as any loved one. This is our story and we want to share it with you.

– Laura & Alexander

It all started in 2002, when I moved to Italy.

Alexander

We met in Jesi, he caught my eye immediately. I decided to take a risk.

Laura

In the summer of 2003, at a Verdicchio festival, I said “see you in two months.” She had tears in her eyes.

Alexander

He was in Chicago and I called him frequently at 5 in the morning. I thought he would like waking to my voice.

Laura

Two months became three, my return to Italy was sidetracked.

Alexander

I didn’t even have a passport, but I took a risk and two weeks later we were together.

Laura

We got married in 2006, 50 Italians, 50 Americans. It was so special.

Alexander

We discovered each other’s family and cultural traditions. I took him to the countryside, we made pasta, crushed olives, and sacked our own sausages and salamis.

Laura

I quickly fell in love with the countryside of the Marche region. I also started my corporate career, gaining invaluable business experience.

Alexander

We had our first conversations about one day running our own winery, at the time it seemed almost impossible.

Laura

Our first born was Alessandro. Laura was so strong during the pregnancy and birth, I knew she would be a great mother.

Alexander

Our family was growing and we were so happy.

Laura

Maria Vittoria came along next, our redhead.

Alexander

We were living on the 3rd floor of an old building in the historic centre of Jesi, no elevator. I have vivid memories of climbing up and down the stairs with two babies and groceries in my arms.

Laura

Then Ginevra was born. We were blessed with a third healthy child.

Alexander

We moved to the countryside, an important step towards our dream of making wine . We started to get our hands dirty with fruit trees and helped with the neighbors’ vineyards.

Laura

Then along came the pandemic and the time was right to finally put the vineyard and winery into motion.

Alexander

I said let’s do this, and let’s do it right.

Laura

Organic farming, total respect for the land.

Alexander

Precision winemaking, uncompromising quality.

Laura

So we studied, we learnt, we worked, and worked some more, and we finally landed at what has become Pietro 17 in Staffolo, in the heart of the Castelli di Jesi appellation at 375m above sea level.

Alexander

A place where dreams come alive.

Laura

Vineyard