Francis Ford Coppola is without doubt one of Hollywood's greatest directors. The father of films such as Il Padrino and Apocalypse Now, he has won the Palme d'Or at Cannes twice, the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement, three Oscars for screenplay, two Oscars for best picture (Il Padrino and Il Padrino II), two Oscars for best original score, an Oscar for cinematography, an Oscar for best makeup, an Oscar for costume design, an Oscar for special effects, an honorary Oscar, and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award.
He also received multiple nominations in the same Oscar ceremony with the films La conversazione and Il Padrino II.
Of proud Italian heritage – specifically from Basilicata (his grandparents were originally from the province of Matera) – he is the son of the great jazz musician Carmine and the uncle of Nicolas Cage.
Francis has always maintained a close bond with Italy, where he often spends his holidays relaxing on the beaches of Metaponto and where he obtained honorary citizenship of Bernalda, his grandfather Agostino's hometown, having purchased a palazzo there that he hopes to transform into a hotel.
He is married to Eleanor and the father of three children: Gian-carlo (who died at just 23 years of age), Roman, and the most famous, Sofia, herself a director and Oscar winner for best screenplay for Lost in Translation.
In addition to following in her father's footsteps, Sofia shares Francis's deep connection with Italy – so much so that she celebrated her wedding to singer Thomas Mars of Phoenix in Bernalda (Matera) at the family hotel, bringing the town to the attention of the likes of George Lucas, Nicolas Cage, Al Pacino, and Steven Spielberg!
The bond with Italy is further sealed by his passion for wine, which gave rise to the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, a highly renowned estate based in California.
Francis's venture is no typical celebrity whim but a genuine business: he purchased an additional 13 hectares of vineyards from Geyser Peak Winery, investing 35.3 million dollars, and in 2012 bottle sales reached 15 million!
Among the many wines produced, worthy of mention are the Cabernet Sauvignon Director's Alexander Valley and the Chardonnay Diamond Collection – simple, easy-drinking wines in true American style, yet with an interesting and inviting bouquet of aromas.
Also noteworthy is the FC Reserve limited series, especially captivating thanks to labels that are genuine works of art designed by the great designer Dean Tavoularis; this line includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Viognier, Petit Sirah Dessert Wine, and Late Harvest Semillon.
Wine, the USA, Italy, Sofia: from these important cornerstones of Francis Ford Coppola's life comes the idea to produce Blanc de Blancs.
This wine was born from a promise the director made to his daughter Sofia when she was a child – that one day the grapes from the family vineyards would give birth to a wine dedicated to her.
This citrus-scented sparkling wine is a blend of Pinot Blanc, Moscato, and Riesling, perfect for refreshing oneself in summer: a light, simple, American wine.
The influence of American consumer habits is felt not only in the taste and alcohol content but also in the packaging – Francis chose to "enclose" it in a cool, feminine-designed can.
A product that serves as an alternative to the more popular (in the US) can of cold beer for beating the heat, and one that suits the American market well. We, frankly, while appreciating the marketing choice, still prefer our wine drunk from a glass bottle!
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