Castello di Luzzano stands on a hill at an altitude of 270 meters on the border of Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy in Italy. The castle was designed by Portaluppi, the same company that designed Leonardo da Vinci's mansion. The villa, which is currently used as an agriturismo accommodation, was once the villa of Maria Luisa, Duchess of Parma (Princess Daughter of Napoleon I). Records show that grapes have been grown on the estate for 1 years.

The owner is Giovanella Fugazza. The Fugazza family is a famous family whose history can be traced back to 1747. About 40 years ago, Giovanella inherited his father's vineyards and wine business with his sister, Maria-Julia (deceased), and began to develop wine. We practice organic cultivation in our vineyards, keep the use of antioxidants to a minimum, and produce natural wines that are environmentally and health-friendly.

There are Japanese people working at this historic winery who have been accepted as part of the family. "When I drank that wine, I knew my body would accept it."

So says Atsuko Makishima, who currently lives in Castello di Luzzano for most of the year.

A native of Kugahara, Tokyo, she started her own business after graduating from high school, ``using the money she had for university.'' She achieved her success in staffing and food related jobs. However, she gradually begins to feel the limits of her life in the world of business, where she lives in a world where life is difficult. It was in 2006 that she fell in love with Malaysia, where she went for a change of pace, and gave up her girlfriend's job in Tokyo to move there. She managed a restaurant in Shintenchi, and now has five restaurants.

I've been drinking wine since my days in Tokyo, but at some point I started to feel sick after drinking just one glass. "I think my body was reacting to the pesticides and antioxidants in the wine," she recalls.

In February 2011, I went to Italy to see the Venice Carnival. This trip had another purpose: ``find a wine that my body can accept.'' “At that time, I happened to come across an article about Castello di Luzzano at the hotel I was staying at.”

Atsuko moves from Venice to Milan and heads for a winery in the snow in a rental car. She describes her impression of her first visit as "cold and dark." But when she tried a red wine called ``Vena Rossa'' in a room with a fireplace, her body immediately felt that ``this wine is okay.'' She has since started visiting Castello di Luzzano.

“Two years after I started coming here, I met the owner, Giovanella, for the first time.” Even in Italy, where there are many unique personalities, Giovanella's character stood out. There was also a rumor that he was ``the weirdest guy in town.'' Still, Giovanella and Atsuko are attracted to each other as if it was fate.

``When I was young, I had a disability and had the painful experience of being abandoned by my mother. I heard that Giovanella had a similar experience, and being able to share that experience deepened our bond.'' I think so,” Atsuko said. The two became friends who could talk openly. Giovanella has complete trust in her, saying, ``There are no secrets between me and Atsuko.''

Since 2012, Atsuko has been importing and selling Giovanella wine. In 14, she moved to Castello di Luzzano and helped her make wine. Since then, she has spent most of the year at this winery, except for the winter, which is the off-season for farming. Last fall, she experienced her sixth harvest.

``Vena Rossa'' is a wine in the traditional style of this region, ``Gutturnio'', which is made by blending two indigenous varieties, Barbera and Bonarda. It has a scent of violets and cherry liqueur, and a texture that makes you want to chew. This is a wine that deserves the word "nourishing."

During the winter, when the brewing process has finished, Atsuko works at another base in Kuala Lumpur, importing and selling Castello di Luzzano wine and running a members-only restaurant. At her restaurant, she serves fusion cuisine that combines the best of Japanese and Italian cuisine, and suggests pairing it with Luzzano wine. She is raising awareness of the winery. ``TAMA'' and ``NOBU'', both of which she launched based on her idea, are wines made using local varieties. The brand was named after a Japanese person with whom Atsuko has close ties. It has been well received in the Malaysian market.

Atsuko and Giovanella often walk around the estate while chatting. One day, Giovanella said to me, ``Everyone goes back to earth.'' Those words held special weight, she says, as they were said amidst the natural beauty she cherishes. The two intend to continue walking together.

(Titles omitted)

Atsuko Makishima

Atsuko Makishima

Winemaker/Restaurateur

Born in Tokyo. He started his own business after graduating from high school. After achieving success in temporary staffing and food-related jobs, he quit his job in Tokyo and moved to Malaysia in 2006. He had a reaction to the pesticides and antioxidants contained in wine and could no longer accept wine, but in Italy he encountered wine from Castello di Luzzano. Since then, he has been attracted to the winery's charm, gained the trust and friendship of the owner, and spends most of the year, except during the winter off-season, at this winery, working hard to make wine. As a manager in Malaysia, he manages five restaurants and proposes pairings with Ruzzano wine. He is raising the profile of the winery.