The Italian Connection
Santa Margherita celebrates its 30th birthday with the help of a Top Chef

As a child, Fabio Viviani was introduced to Pope John Paul II.  He greeted the pontiff with a quip that could only be expected from a youth so energetic that he also once lit his grandmother on fire – accidentally, of course.  “I just said, ‘What’s up, dude?’ and he laughed,” explained Viviani, who has come a long way since the grandmother-on-fire incident caused his family to put his young hands to work in the kitchen – and out of trouble.

Today, Viviani is a veritable superstar in the culinary world following a successful stint on Bravo’s hit television show Top Chef, where, in 2008, Viviani was awarded the “Fan Favorite” title.  Viviani isn’t resting on his television laurels, however, and has been hard at work in the Moorpark, California restaurant Café Firenze, just an hour northwest of Los Angeles. “We’ve really helped put Moorpark on the map,” admits Viviani, who hopes to parlay his success with a second location that will debut in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley in the next few months. 

Rave reviews and television fandom aside, what matters most to Viviani is crafting the classically elegant Italian fare that he grew up on, as well as sharing his talent and passion with at-home gourmands, thanks his freshly-penned Café Firenze Cookbook. The cookbook, which features dishes like Gamberoni in Camicia (pancetta-wrapperl jumbo prawns) and Branzino con i Pomodorini e Verdure (striped sea bass with cherry tomatoes and vegetables), emphasizes the flavors of Tuscany through both impeccable Italian fare and innovative wine and cocktail pairings for each dish.

"The best part about the book is that it covers it all-food, drink and wine," says Viviani, who has worked hard to imbue the book with his charismatic personality in addition to his signature cooking style. "It's also the only book in broken English you'll ever own," jokes Viviani, who came to the United States two years ago speaking very little English but is now quite proficient, whether he likes to admit it or not.

When selecting the wines to pair with his dishes, Viviani naturally turned to Italy; and specifically, a winery that has been a lifelong acquaintance, Santa Margherita. Throughout the book, Viviani has chosen wines from the historic winery and pairs each dish with the brand's Prosecco, Pinot Grigio or Chianti Classico. "Santa Marghehta wines have been longtime favorites of mine," explains Viviani of the partnership. "It just made sense because growing up, Chianti was in my backyard."

The partnership didn't only make sense. to Viviani; for Santa Margherita, one of the
most popular brands in the Terlato Wines International portfolio, Viviani's cooking is a
perfect match. "This has been such a natural collaboration for us," explains Bill Terlato,
President and CEO of the company that first introduced Americans to Pinot Grigio 30
years ago. "We're passionate amateur chefs in our family, and it was important for us to
learn more about pairing wines and food and we all love Fabio! He grew up with the
brand, understands Italian cuisine and is a real professional. It's not just the sizzle with
him; there's real substance to what he does and to his ability."

Viviani's undeniable talent (In addition to being voted "Fan Favorite," Viviani was a serious contender throughout Top Chef). paired with his Italian authenticity, reflect
the equally talented and authentic Santa Margherita wines. First introduced to the
United States by the Terlato family 30 years ago, Santa Margherita put Pinot Grigio on
the map in this country. "When my father, launched Santa Margherita in the U.S., Pinot
Grigio was virtually unknown," explains Terlato. "He wanted to sell a brand, but he ended up launching a category, and Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio has been on top ever since." Terlato's not exaggerating; for the past 20 years, it has been the number one Italian wine sold in restaurants, and in the past 15 years, it has taken the title of topselling
import in restaurants.

But for Viviani, there's more to love about Santa Margherita than just Pinot Grigio. They are quality wines, coming from a quality family, and they remind me of my own family: explains Viviani. "The Santa Margherita Chianti, especially, reminds me of when I was a little boy, sitting on the porch with my grandfather, sipping a glass of Chianti." With an Italian connection that strong, Viviani and Santa Margherita are sure to continue to delight American palates well into the next 30 years.

- By Rachel Burkons
©2009 The Tasting Panel