Welcome to Episode 2097 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Stevie Kim’s Ambassadors’ Corner on Clubhouse. In this episode Hugh Preece interviews Raffaella Merlini of the Bugno Martino family winery in the province of Mantua in the southern part of Lombardy specializing in the production of organic Lambrusco wines. These sessions are recorded on Clubhouse and reproduced here on the Italian Wine Podcast! Today’s conversation covers: Understanding Terroir Expression Sustainable Winemaking Practices Balancing Tradition and Innovation Commitment to Quality Passion and Personal Connection Challenges and Successes Co-Moderator - Hugh Preece President/Operating Partner, Salt Creek Grille Restaurants. Italian Wine Ambassador - Vinitaly Academy. Italian Wine Scholar - Wine Scholar Guild. Certified Educator through VIA Educator Program. Sommelier & 5StarWines Judge. Author of “Counting Castles in Abruzzo”, “Veneto, Beyond the Obvious”. New writing projects Kindle Vella series: The Wine Merchant. Agents of Vinifera and the book series Crafting Excellence. Connect:  Facebook- www.facebook.com/hugh.preece Instagram- www.instagram.com/fermented_boss/ Twitter- @RestUprising LinkedIn-www.linkedin.com/in/hughlpreece/ Website- saltcreekgrille.com/ & nativegrapes.com/ Guest Bio - Raffaella Merlini: Bugno Martino is a family-run winery in San Benedetto Po, a small village in the south of Mantova, the first village under the Po River. Mantova is a small city in the south of Lombardy, in the north of Italy, land of culture, history and gastronomy. People used to think that Lambrusco was produced only in Emilia Romagna, but we can have Lambrusco also in Lombardy. In 1987, the Lambrusco Mantovano DOC was created, even though Benedictine monks have been producing Lambrusco in this area since the 12th century under the guidance of Matilde di Canossa, a great Countess and a great woman (Raffaella and Giuseppe dedicated their first wine to her). Fifteen years ago, Raffaella and Giuseppe left their jobs and decided to dedicate themselves to their great passion: wine and vines. They became organic autochthonous vine growers and they created Bugno Martino winery. No ancient recipes and no family tradition, only a clear idea in their mind. They wanted to produce a different type of Mantuan Lambrusco, to return to Lambrusco the identity and value it deserves.  Connect: Facebook: Instagram: @cantinabugnomartino Website: https://www.bugnomartino.com/en/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin! Follow Italian Wine Podcast for more great content - winery interviews from the Clubhouse sessions! Psssst…FYI, this show is our most popular show, find out why by tuning-in!