"I thought I had the perfect life in New York, but fate had something different in mind for me.  I've fallen in love with this place and what it has to offer"  -   Casalvento: House of the Wind by Gudrun Cuillo Welcome to Episode #79: About twenty five years ago, Bob and Gudrun Cuillo were looking for a place to buy in Capri Italy, not far from Benevento, near Naples where Bob had family ties to the region.   The Capri property fell through and next they found themselves in Tuscany talking to friends when they were introduced to an ancient Borgo in Radda, Chianti that might be up for sale.  A week later they were the owners of medieval Casalvento, a hamlet of land and historic buildings.  Bob And Gudrun didn’t even realise there was a vineyard, and on the ground were vines of Chianti Classico.   Bob and Gudrun’s fate was sealed and the next twenty years or so were spent restoring the vineyard, the olives and the Borgo, amongst other projects in their busy and creative lives. Later they purchased more land close by, a medieval hamlet called Livernano and onwards they went.   Today I introduce to Gudrun Cuillo and her book of fiction Casalvento - House of the Wind.  If you love a book set in Italy, and heart thudding, more palpitations set in the beautiful hills of Tuscany, but not just Tuscany that Italian Ideal, the Italian beauty Chianti, one of the oldest settlements ancient Radda, and if you love a little romance and travel, and Italian history and a story that makes you want to jump on a plane, well as soon as possible,  well then Casalvento: House of the Wind is a book to escape with, wherever you are in the world. Gudrun’s estate these days makes award winning wines, Chianti Classico, Chianti Riserva, those gorgeous Super Tuscans and much more.  You can also stay and sip at your own leisure, do cooking classes, and wine tours, but mostly if you are intrigued you can visit her website Livernano Winery and Resort and follow Gudrun on Instagram at livernano_casalvento_ …. Or just listen along and enjoy Gudrun’s story about the vines, the wine making and the writing journey.  And the surprising and wonderful process of becoming a fiction author, something she turned to at a time of grief and loss.  You can find her book Casalvento:  House of the Wind at all the usual places.  Find all Show Notes and details mentioned at: michellejohnston.life You can now Support the Podcast and send your encouragement. © 2023  A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2023 Support the show