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Lazio Joins the National Board of FIVI Thanks to the Election of Ludovico Maria Botti of the Organic Winery Trebotti.
The Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers (FIVI) was founded in 2008, inspired by the Confédération des Vignerons Indépendants de France (VIF), which itself began in 1976 when a small group of winegrowers in the south of France formed a modest union. Today, VIF includes over 7,000 winegrowers across 32 departmental federations and 10 regional federations and is recognized by representative, decision-making, and consultation bodies at national, regional, and departmental levels. FIVI is the union for Italian winegrowers, with representation at the European, national, and regional negotiation tables of the wine world. Today it counts almost 1,400 members nationwide.
Independent winegrowers represent themselves directly, with no intermediaries — this is what sets them apart. One of FIVI’s most ambitious goals is legal recognition of the Winegrower figure. An independent winegrower must handle every stage (from the vineyard to the final sale, including processing, cellar tastings, and all the bureaucratic and administrative aspects). The winegrower is one of the central figures in contemporary wine. Their role is crucial to guarantee consumers a wine strongly tied to its territory. The winegrower cultivates their own grapes, so the origin of the wine is guaranteed by the hard work done in the vineyard and cellar.
Origin is not a trivial detail — especially if you want to enjoy real wine (with its story and soul) rather than just a generic drink. Independent winegrowers want to build a strong bond with consumers, creating an open dialogue. Their role is central, and building an alliance between winegrowers and consumers — as co-producers — is a strategic goal for Independent Winegrowers. It’s a fact that not all wines sold in Italy and abroad are truly connected to their land, and not all wines carry a strong mark of authenticity and culture. The winegrower’s role must be defended because it is essential for the future of local territories and Italian agriculture. The mission of Independent Winegrowers is for the winegrower to remain rooted in the land, to make wine, preserve terroirs, protect the landscape — for the great joy of the consumer.
And now, to the present and the future! Lorenzo Cesconi, a winegrower in Trentino, is the new President of FIVI — the Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers. He was elected on Wednesday, March 9th, in Piacenza during the general assembly of members, which also renewed the Federation’s Board. Cesconi succeeds Matilde Poggi, who guided FIVI for nine years and now serves as President of CEVI — Confédération Européenne des Vignerons Indépendants.
In addition to Cesconi, the following were confirmed as Board members: Rita Babini (winegrower in Emilia Romagna), Paolo Beretta (Marche), Luca Ferraro (Veneto), Luigi Maffini (Campania), Gaetano Morella (Puglia), Diletta Nember (Lombardy), Ermes Pavese (Aosta Valley), and Stefano Pizzamiglio (Emilia Romagna). Six new Board members have joined: Ludovico Maria Botti (winegrower in Lazio), Francesco Maria De Franco (Calabria), Walter Massa (Piedmont), Pietro Monti (Piedmont), Monica Raspi (Tuscany), and Stefan Vaja (South Tyrol).
The election results confirm the excellent work done by Matilde Poggi and the outgoing Board, which, with new leadership and fresh energy, is ready to face the major challenges ahead.
This team now includes Lazio, represented by Ludovico Maria Botti, already the Lazio delegate, who was elected as the fourth most-voted Board member. Key points in Ludovico’s candidacy presented in Piacenza focused on environmental sustainability, the challenges of climate change, and his commitment to playing a “central” role.
Trebotti, the winery of Ludovico and his two brothers, has been a leader for over 20 years in sustainable, high-quality agriculture. For Ludovico, playing a “central” role means not only being a key contributor within FIVI but also — playing with words — serving the Federation with a strategic advantage due to the geographical proximity to the capital and all the institutions with which FIVI interacts daily. This work will be more effective thanks to the strong support and synergy among the winegrowers of the young and dynamic Lazio delegation.
