Italianity: The Culture of Italian Wine
Join us for a special event hosted by Book Passage, for what will be a delicious and vibrantly energetic lunch, celebrating the book launch of Italianity: The Culture of Italian Wine with authors Andrea Lonardi MW and Jessica Dupuy.
This event will include a discussion on why Italian wine matters now, a wine-tasting, A16 pizza, and a book signing. If you love Italian wine, this book will change how you see it forever!
ABOUT THIS EVENT
This event will be hosted by Book Passage at A16 San Francisco
$85 ticket includes includes book, pizza, and wine!
Open Seating
Additional books will be avallable for purchase at the event
There will be a signing line / meet & greet with photo opp following the presentation
If you are unable to attend the event, you can still get your copy by CLICKING HERE
(for a signed or personalized book, please note in the order comment field)
About Dig In! (A Cookbook)
Italianity is a journey into the soul of Italian wine by Italian winemaker and Master of Wine Andrea Lonardi and acclaimed wine journalist Jessica Dupuy. Through a series of essays shaped by Lonardi’s Odyssey-like career across Italy’s wine regions and enriched by Dupuy’s thoughtful outsider perspective, the book explores the diversity, beauty, and cultural depth of Italy through the lens of wine.
Weaving together reflections on place, tradition, and the future of Italian wine with portraits of figures such as Angelo Gaja, Josko Gravner, and Marchese Piero Antinori, Italianity is a companion for readers who want to experience the spirit of Italian wine beyond the typical guidebook.
REVIEWS
“Italianity brilliantly describes how Italian wine is experienced throughout the world not only the professional lens of Italian viticulture but distinctly connected to Italian culture. Being someone who is a professional disciple of Italianity, I now know how to clearly understand it as depicted here. Bravo!" -- Shelley Lindgren, Owner A16 restaurant and Author, Italian Wine, San Francisco, CA
“Andrea delivers his observations and arguments in a very compelling yet easy to understand manner. He is able to bridge his technical background and local expertise of Italian wine with a global perspective. He is a true authority with an innovative approach.” -- Michaela Morris, Wine Writer & Educator, Decanter, Quench, Vancouver, Canada
“Andrea Lonardi is a passionate professional with deep knowledge of the wines of Italy, and the world. His voice is as credible and respected as any in the country.” -- John Szabo, Master Sommelier, WineAlign.com, Toronto, Canada
“The passion and zeal for sharing the core of what Italy is and what it means is intoxicating. This book is a giant for Italian wine." -- Jeff Porter, Sommelier, Wine Writer and Educator, SipTripItaly and Wine Enthusiast
“Andrea Lonardi is in rarified air with his breadth of experience. There truly is no finer authority on Italian wine and viticulture and his next step into authorship with Italianity makes perfect sense.” -- Rocco Lombardo, President of Wilson Daniels
ANREA LONARDI
Andrea Lonardi is a viticulturist, winemaker, business strategist, and a team builder. After earning degrees in Agricultural Sciences and Agri-Business from the University of Bologna and the Grande École de Montpellier, he began his career in the wine world working in Languedoc, Washington State, and California. He later held executive roles in production, marketing, and sales at Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV), one of Italy’s leading wine companies, where he was Head of Viticultural division across thirteen estates, planting more than 700 hectares of vineyards from the Alps to Sicily. For more than a decade, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Angelini Wines & Estates, leading the revival of historic brands in Valpolicella, Friuli, Montalcino, and Montepulciano, including Bertani and Val di Suga. In 2023, Andrea became the second Italian to earn the title of Master of Wine. Today, he works alongside renowned family-owned estates and established brands, developing strategies — from vineyard to market — to craft great wines with a truly Italian soul.
JESSICA DUPUY
Jessica Dupuy is a Texas-based writer specializing in wine, spirits, food, and travel, with bylines in Decanter, Forbes, Imbibe, Food & Wine, and Wine Enthusiast. Her passion led her to earn certifications including Certified Sommelier, WSET Diploma, and Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits. She is currently a Master of Wine candidate.
She has authored six cookbooks with renowned chefs, including “Uchi: The Cookbook” with James Beard Award-winner Tyson Cole (University of Texas Press) and “Tex-Mex: Traditions, Innovations, and Comfort Foods from Both Sides of the Border” with James Beard Award-nominee Ford Fry (Clarkson Potter). She also wrote two culinary explorations of the American South and Texas with Southern Living (Time Inc/Dotdash Meredith). Her latest book, “The Wines of Southwest U.S.A” (Classic Wine Library/Académie du Vin), explores emerging regions in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado.
Jessica holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from Trinity University and Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, grounding her meticulous research and storytelling, and making her a respected voice in wine and culinary writing. She is co-host of podcast Another Bottle Down and editor of the Direct to Press Substack.