Stories from the Cellar: The story behind the "Frà"

The Church of Santa Maria della Scala is a hidden gem in the heart of Verona, near Via Mazzini, the city's famous shopping street. It was a gift from Lord Cangrande della Scala to the Servites of Mary in 1324, after he made a vow to the Virgin Mary following a serious illness. This donation marked the beginning of a long series of gifts that allowed the Servites to establish themselves in the city center and gradually expand into the morainic hills.

By the 15th century, the brothers moved between the bustling city and the peaceful countryside, just a stone’s throw from Lake Garda.

There are still written traces of their presence in these lands. If you visit our Wine Shop, take a moment to look up above the entrance — you’ll see a coat of arms inspired by their history.

This painting bears the inscription "Nunc est bibendum", meaning "Now is the time to drink." What better omen could there be as you step through the entrance of your favorite winery?

Over the centuries, these lands have been crossed by great historical figures, including Napoleon Bonaparte. He decided to take the management of the land away from the Church and entrust it to secular farmers and winemakers — until it eventually came into the hands of the Bonomo Family.

Thanks to this family, in 1958, these lands became the setting for a brand-new chapter… But that’s a story for another time !