I have never denied, in any interview, my roots: a rural and peasant life, where time is marked by the sun and the moon, the festive sound of bells, the succession of the seasons, the grape harvest and the harvests. A life made up of conviviality, deep and authentic bonds, sincere friendships and precious people who support me in my work. With them I share the fatigue, the frank confrontation and the immense joy of seeing, after months or even years, a work take shape, reveal its character, its name and its energy. For years now, I have opened a gallery in San Gimignano which, together with the one in Pietrasanta, has become a refuge: a place where I can retreat for a few hours or a few days, to reconnect with that world that has always inspired me and continues to guide me in my artistic journey and in the message I wish to convey to the world. In this space, my concept of the 'energy of life' is intensified, strengthened and allows me to regain a profound balance with myself. The phone call I received from the Consortium of Vernaccia di San Gimignano was for me a moment of great emotion and recognition: a tangible sign of my bond with this extraordinary land, with its culture and with the beauty that it succeeds in instilling in anyone who is fortunate enough to experience, protect and promote it.
From that simple phone call was born in me the desire to return at least a small part of the love received from the inhabitants of this ancestral village, guardian of history and wonder. The Consortium has offered me the opportunity to exhibit my work, and this fills me with pride. Every day I observe with admiration the dedication and sacrifice of those who carry on the tradition of Vernaccia, a wine I deeply love: fruity, floral, complex yet harmonious, elegant and enveloping. Just like the walls of this town and its territory that, despite the harsh winters, knows how to return a generous nectar, laden with scents and flavours that evoke a strong family bond with its production. Small realities that, while maintaining their own peculiarities, unite under a single symbol to face daily challenges together. Preparations have already begun: the city is huddling around its 'Regina Ribelle 2025' festival, an event in which the production vision of a white wine in a land of red wines is launched towards the markets in an extraordinary two-day festival of conviviality and hospitality. My heartfelt thanks go to all the people who believe in my art, traditions and sense of belonging. To those who, with absolute passion and dedication, preserve intact this extraordinary territory, appreciated all over the world. Now, my deep admiration turns into participation: it is through my art that I wish to give back what I have learnt from you.
Andrea Roggi - San Gimignano