Zorro 
July 2009
Deep in the heart of Tuscany, in the locality of Castellina in Chianti, lies the tranquil winery estate of Villa Trasqua. Their official greeter and protector is a large and friendly wine dog named Zorro. For a long time, Andreas Stössel (Villa Trasqua’s winemaker) and his wife split their time between Tuscany and Germany, and they received Zorro as a gift one day from a family in Germany. From that time, Zorro would travel with them back and forth between Italy and Germany. Zorro is a 13 year old “blend†of German Shepherd and Rottweiler, so he is a fearless defender, but also friendly to nice people.
In his youth, Zorro was always chasing the ladies. In fact, Andreas and his wife got to know all their neighbors so well because Zorro was always leaving the estate to visit his many girlfriends. Zorro is a family man now, as he once fancied a Maremma Sheepdog and they produced a puppy named Luna (who lives with Giulia, a lady who works in the winery’s office). Zorro is semi–retired now, but he is still very aware of who is nice and who is not. Zorro is a very sweet dog, with a sixth sense that protects the winery from strangers, so visitors with good intentions do not have to worry. That is why Zorro warmly greets visitors to the estate, but also knows to bark at any strange individual until they drive away. Zorro does show his sensitive side on occasion. He is terrified by thunder and he comes running up the stairs into the winery’s office. That way, everyone knows to expect thunder and lightning in a moment. Zorro’s favorite wine? Villa Trasqua’s 2006 Trasgaia, of course! Rumor has it that Zorro still has a few bottles of this wonderful Sangiovese & Cabernet blend hidden somewhere on the estate.
Many thanks to Isabelle Delft and Giulia Calonaci for sending us some photos of Zorro.
Zorro guards the estate.
Zorro rests in the shade on a hot Tuscan day.
Zorro is off to visit the ladies—again.
|
Comment RSS
Filed Under: Wine Dog of the Month
