People are treasures, giving freely of their gifts, thus our lives, in turn, are enriched and blessed. I would like to highlight a few artists and artisans of Roccaspinalveti. They make a daily impact on the lives here and I hope, someday, on yours as well. There are also artists that go unsung, as their visibility is minimal and their talents are only well-known to the locals. It is my desire to incorporate them in some of my future postings.

If you know me, you know that I love to share everything that Roccaspinalveti has to offer and it is my hope and dream that you will make this wonderful place a ‘must see’ stop on your next vacation to Italy.

ZENò’R

Just a few minutes walk from our house is the print and graphic design studio ZENò’R of Luca Bruno and Lucrezia Lalli. Together they have a workshop centered around screen printing, xylography (woodcut), engraving and restorations. We met both these wonderful folks when we moved to Rocca back in August of 2018. They are extremely talented but also very down-to-earth. There are some insightful quotes from Luca below, as well as a link to their bios and information on their workshops. Contact Luca if you wish to discuss customizing instruction or wish to reserve your spot in a one or two-day workshop. Not to be missed!

Before a printer I am a graphic designer, so I always try to put my own work into what I do. The idea ​​was born in the winter of 2014, my last period in Bologna, when I always looked for more to define in my mind the project that then came to life shortly after my graduation (March 2014) by investing gift money from my grandparents by buying a bromograph (is a device which allows printing by negative photographic contact on sensitive paper) and a few frames. My grandfather passed away from there little for which I chose to give the name “Zenò’R” to my project which is the family name of my maternal family.

We deal with dexterity in all its aspects from the artisan to the artistic one. We intend to create opportunity to practice, to deepen and to face new and traditional techniques as well as collect and exchange information so that the laboratory can become a meeting place, communication and knowledge. We intend to defend the artisan culture, because we believe it is important for us and for the future generations, being able to continue to draw on a wealth of enormous resources guarded precisely by those professions that disappear from day to day under our eyes. The goal is to respond to the increasingly widespread need to rediscover the ability to do things, directly with one’s own hands, through the knowledge of materials and techniques.

Luca Bruno

Trattoria La Fonte

Just about across the street from the studio of Luca and Lucrezia, is our wonderful local Abruzzesse restaurant, Trattoria La Fonte….just a 3 minute walk from our home! Family owned and absolutely the most delicious food at humble Abruzzo prices.

All dishes are made by hand with typical local products, including a wide assortment of pastas, sauces, meats, vegetables and of course delicious desserts. They also serve outstanding woodfired pizzas on Friday through Sunday. Here at the trattoria, you can taste and savor the typical Abruzzese dishes of the area, specifically of Rocca. And they are very willing to be creative with American dishes, such as hamburgers and main salad dishes! 😉

Rina and daughter, Angelica, along with the entire family, do the cooking and manage daily operations of the restaurant.  In 1982, Rina opened Trattoria La Fonte, here in Serre, one of the lovely fraziones (neighborhoods) of Roccaspinalveti. After studying at the State Institute of Art in Vasto, Angelica joined her mother in 2006 at the trattoria. At age 40, Angelica has been working with her mother for the past 13 years.  Together they manage the business, serving from a full menu as well as offering special dishes.

Along with regular service at the Trattoria, Rina and Angelica host many a party and holiday meals. Just recently, they offered cooking classes to be held at Casa Serre Holiday Apartment in Serre. You can find information on the cooking classes here. We hope you not only consider a class, but most definitely make time in your visit for a meal at Trattoria La Fonte. Always fun and delicious!

-We participated in a cooking class with the wonderful ladies from La Fonte restaurant. It was held in the sunny kitchen of Casa Serre with fantastic views of the surrounding area. We made two types of traditional pasta, two different sauces, and a delicious chocolate cake. It was great to have a hands-on experience and to learn how the dishes have been prepared for decades. It was even better to enjoy our delicious hand made food with a glass of wine! Grazie mille!

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Ventricina & Dintorni

In the center of town is located the laboratory of nationally acclaimed Michele Piccirilli of Ventricina & Dintorni, a relatively new business started in 2011 by Michele. As we have enjoyed their delicious meats since we first moved here, we recently had the opportunity to visit the laboratory. Along side Michele, are his lovely wife, Stefania, and his father, Guiseppe. We had the chance to not only observe the cuts of meat being prepared, but the process of making a few different types of pork sausages; soppressata (salt & black pepper only), stagionata (added pulverized red pepper) and fegato (added orange zest and garlic). Truly fascinating and we will be enjoying some sausage this weekend. 😉

The ‘Ventricina variety del Vastese’ is a sausage typical of the area in the province of Chieti bounded by the rivers Trigno and Sinello, straddling Abruzzo and Molise. It is the salami of friendship: traditionally it is eaten in company or on important occasions. It owes its red color to the pepper powder, while name and shape derive from the use of the pig’s stomach for the bag.

The secret of success lies in passion and dynamism, but also in factors such as the great knowledge of the product, the breeding of pigs, The careful choice of raw materials, the naturalness of production processes, optimal climatic conditions, the refusal of additives and preservatives, the connection with the territory and its traditions, the mastery of technical skills and the hygienic-sanitary norms.

Michele Piccirilli

These delicacies are for sale in-shop in Roccaspinalveti,and in some gourmet shops (list on the site) and also on line from the site http://www.ventricinaedintorni.it. The company also produces splendid gift-wrapping with salami and other delicacies of the best local and regional producers. Tours and tastings are available. For details, click here and don’t miss this delicious and interesting experience.

L’Azienda Agricola  ‘Lo Zafferano

Just a short way out of the center of Roccaspinalveti, in the frazione Quercialtieri, is the peaceful and productive saffron farm, L’Azienda Agricola  ‘Lo Zafferano, of Antonella Fabiano & Luigi Suriano and their family.  Abruzzo has been called the land of yellow gold, the precious and fragrant saffron which in addition to flavoring foods, also has significant healing properties. Here, tucked away on this lovely farm, is the chance to experience something very magical.

L’Azienda Agricola  ‘Lo Zafferano’  is a small reality born in Roccaspinalveti only in 2016, even if the cultivation of the precious spice has been taking place for many years, for personal passion and for family use. At some point in our lives we decided to introduce our passion and our wonderful product to the public.

The cultivation and subsequent processing of saffron takes place exclusively by hand as required by the ancient tradition and this also explains the high cost of the product. To obtain 1 gram of saffron, it is necessary to collect about 150 flowers and then 450 pistils (in fact, each flower has only three pistils). Saffron is a wonderful spice that gives a lot of satisfaction but requires a lot of sacrifice and commitment.

Antonella Fabiano & Luigi Suriano

Tours are offered during the summer and fall harvest months. Click here for details and contact information. What an unique opportunity!

People…… good people with a vision, talent and drive to make a dream come true. We hope these few vignettes inspire you to make Roccaspinalveti your next destination. There is so much to experience here in our ‘not so quiet’ mountain town. 😉

We will catch up with you soon as we head off to Virginia to visit family and friends. It’s been way too long since we’ve seen them! Best to you all and ciao for now…