The old farmhouse
When we visited Italy as children, I loved being at the old farm. This is where my mom grew up and the people living there were still her relatives in one way or another. I'll never forget when everyone came to harvest the grapes. It was a big community venture. I wasn't much help. I ran and laughed and played with all the other kids. I remember the press, and the vats full of pulp. I learned later about the still, guarded and secret, as the legality was questionable. Everyone seemed happy to help and there was plenty of wine for all. None for sale, just personal consumption and gifts. What I learned today is my grandparents were tenant farmers when they lived there (1940s?). There were three other families living there, also tenants. They raised crops and kept animals and the owners had a share. The farm provided everything they needed. Selling wheat and the occasional beet or rabbit, brought in s...