When a village comes together, something simple and genuine happens: stories, smiles, and gestures are exchanged, weaving the everyday into the future. The end-of-year toast with the Varignana community is exactly that — a moment to meet, listen, and share what is being built here, together.
The evening was, above all else, an encounter: the hall took on the feeling of a town square where people spoke softly, enjoyed an aperitivo, and listened to short talks. Alongside families and neighbors were the collaborators who work on this land every day, and the conversation highlighted the small projects that keep this community vibrant.
Speakers included Founder Carlo Gherardi, Palazzo’s Sustainability Manager, Cecilia Bortolotti, and Chiara Del Vecchio, CEO of Agrivar. Cecilia and Chiara described how the resort and the agricultural estate work side by side: on one hand, the hospitality sustainability strategy; on the other, the short supply chain that supports our kitchens and our land — a synergy that turns everyday choices into value for the territory.
Bringing depth and a sense of history, Dr. Valentina Di Stefano from the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Bologna spoke about the ongoing excavations at the archaeological site of Claterna, tracing a direct line between the past of our hills and the present that preserves it.
The tangible spirit of the evening was reflected in concrete gestures: the awarding of two scholarships — €500 for high-school student Sofia Chiechi and €1,000 for university student Maria Francesca Siciliano, both residents of Varignana — a sign of commitment to the younger generations and to those building their future here, between school and community.
It was not a formal celebration but a collective gesture — a way to strengthen relationships and allow the community to experience the results of the daily work carried out by the resort and the agricultural estate. We like to think of these gatherings as small bridges — between people, generations, and history — that reinforce our bond with the territory. It is from here, from sincere dialogue with those who truly live this place, that ideas and the desire to grow together take shape, year after year.
