Cortellessa and Telli is launching a program on behalf of Italian foundations to help them generate much needed revenue by using the best of Italy, wine, food and products.

Through this program, which was developed by Cortellessa & Telli , selected foundations will partner with local producers and vintners to brand products which are representative of their region and their mission.  This is the first time that Foundations (including a National Treasure) have branded their names for commercial use and the products they have selected represent not only the best products from the area, but also  producers that are unknown to the U.S. market. None of the wineries and producers in the program have sold their products in the US and most have never sold outside the Italian market.

Cortellessa and Telli is an Italian marketing company that was formed solely for the purpose of marketing foundations. Robert Telli, an Italian American with experience in the non-profit world realized during his many stays in Italy, that many non-profits are sorely underfunded because they must rely on government help. The business of fundraising and charitable giving, so highly developed in this country does not exist in Italy. In order to help the foundations generate revenue, and also help the local economy, he developed the idea of putting the foundations name on products that grow in the area and selling these products to markets overseas.

The first foundation they partnered with is Abbazia di  Casamari, located in Lazio. Built in 1203 it has been designated a National Treasure by the Italian Government. The Abbazia supports 16 monasteries around the world, many of them in Africa . The head of the order Padre Alberto, had to change the  by-laws and the Vatican had to approve it.

Three wineries from the Lazio region will be producing wine with the Abbazia di Casamari label:

Telaro Vineyards; Aglianico and Falanghina Vignetti Iucci : Tenuta La Crete(bianco/blend) and Attina cabernet Delle Colli  organic Aglianico. In addition to the above wines there will also be a line of skin creams and chocolates under the  Abbazia di Casamari label

The second foundation was Forza L’Aquila.  This is an organization started by young professionals living  in L’Aquila who felt that the efforts by the government to rebuild the city did not focus on the  importance of returning people to the City itself and restoring the sense of community.They were all members of a rugby team and they knew the importance of rebuilding the city and  it’s facilities so the youth would have a reason to return and a place to play again.

The enlisted the Podere Castorani winery to support this effort. Podere Castorani is an old vineyard that  had been purchased by Jarno Trulli, the Formula One race driver for Lotus. They built a new  underground winery ,and are producing award winning wines. Jarno Trulli was born in L’Aquila and has donated personally to  rebuild certain historical landmarks.

The wines from Podere Castorani that will be dedicated to Forza L’Aqiuila are:

• Pecorino
• Montepuciano D’Abruzzo
• Paparazzi- a DOCG prosecco

An assortment of food products from Abruzzo will also be labeled with Forza L’Aquila. These range from truffle pastes, artisanal pastas, sauces, saffron, torrone , honey , jams and other regional specialties.

L’Aquila Made In was founded for the purpose of helping the small businesses in the areas aroundL’Aquila to recover economically from the effects of the earthquake in L’Aquila. The wines for L’Aquila made in will come from Gentile Vineyards and is Montepulciano D’Abruzzo. There is an extensive catalog of foods from L’Aquila made in including confections, truffles, saffron, vegetables in oil, coffee, pasta, prepared gnocchi and risotto, polenta, legumes, mustards and chocolate.

Banco & Solidarieta in Umbria is a foundation that provides food and moral support to more than 30,000 people in the region of Umbria. They are staffed by volunteers and they work under the premise  that the most basic need that people have is food. Once that is provided they also help with medicine rent and educations as needed.

There  are four wineries that are providing wines for this program with the Baco & Solidarieta label Count Faina who has the oldest cantina in Italy: Maltempo and Pinot Nero Castello de Magione (Knights of Malta)  Grechetto, Carpaneto, Nero Cavaliere La Lase, Trebbiano, Terra and Fiamma Briziarelli: Sagrantino The food program for Banco di Solidarieta consists of olive oils, pastas and assorted legumes.

Parco della Memoria Storica (Museo di San Pietro) is a museum dedicated to the memory and importance of San Pietro in World War II. This is a very special place and relies on donations for it’s support. The wine that will carry the  San Pietro label is by Calix wines: 80/20 a blend of chardonnay and sauvignon blanc and 75/25 a blend of merlot and syrah and Fattoria Azzolini: D’Amore Siclia a blend of cabernet and syrah.

There are also three foundations under the umbrella of Compangnia dell’ opera that will be part of the  Program.

Cometa’ located in Como works with foster children or those who lack any parental figures and are at risk. They do this through schools and educational programs and counseling support.They also offer  training in career courses. The wines for this program will be from Fabio Motta and Michele Satta. Michele already sells his Wines in the US but will designate a special wine for the program.

Impresa in Milan and Piazza del Mystere in Turino also work with underprivileged and at risk kids and them in careers such as culinary or computer and give them the educational and emotional support they need to be successful.

This program has become a National effort a “Monumento Nazionale”. For the first time the best of Italy is being used for the best interest of Italy and it’s foundations which has never been done before.

For more information on this  program please contact:

Lynn La Cava , Cortellessa and Telli at  lynnlacava@aol.com      Tel. 917-617-4897