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Tuscan winemakers arrive in Southern Oregon as part of Rotary Friendship Exchange

April 27, 2024

Oregon Rotary clubs host visitors from Italian wine-growing region

Rotary Club

Past Rotary President Gary Plano was on vacation in Italy two years ago when he pitched the idea of a Rotary friendship exchange to Rotary District Governor Nello Mari and other Rotary leaders in Tuscany. “You grow grapes and make wine in Oregon?” they exclaimed. Plano assured them that we did! And so, an idea was born.

Following Plano’s return to Oregon, the district governors of Rotary District 5110 that covers a good portion of the wine-growing region of Oregon all thought this was a great idea. Plano pitched the idea to the District’s Rotary Friendship Exchange committee and its chair, Camille Ronzio; all agreed.

So this weekend the Rotary clubs of District 5110 are hosting the Italians from Tuscany. Rotary clubs of Ashland, Southtowne in Eugene, Coos Bay and North Bend Corvallis are all providing home stays. The purpose of Rotary exchange is to make personal contact with Rotarians from around the world. This exchange has focused on a particular vocation: enology and viticulture.

In June of 2023, Plano led a team of four Oregon winemakers to Tuscany. This year, it’s time to reciprocate the visits.

Gabriele Pazzaglia, Giulia Harri, Mattia Fiorini arrived Friday, April 26, with Rotary team leader Franco Piani. This kicked off the Rogue Valley portion of the trip.

Rotarians from the Ashland club are providing home stays and Plano has arranged for winery visits from the following wineries who are hosting: Plasaince Ranch and Cowhorn wineries in the Applegate Valley; Naumes Crush and Fermentation in Medford; and Eliana, Weisingers, Ryan Rose and Peter William wines. Nearby Irvine and Roberts are hosting in Ashland as well.

Following their four-day visit here, local Rotarians will transport the Italian team to the Willamette Valley, where they will be hosted for another eight days and visit several wineries there. Finally, the four Italians will be honored at Rotary’s District conference in Coos Bay in early May.

For more information about Ashland’s two Rotary Clubs, click on their names: Rotary Club of Ashland and The Rotary Club of Ashland Lithia Springs.

Bert Etling

Bert Etling is the executive editor of Ashland.news. Email him at betling@ashland.news.

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