Antonio Faravelli, surrounded by beautiful girls, praises Bacchus: “But drink in moderation.”
Antonio Faravelli, who is always ready to try new experiences, didn’t shy away from this opportunity either. The owner of Cantine Vitea was invited to the Lombardy regional auditions for Miss Italy, which were held at a venue in the Lodi area. The winemaker and golfer from Montù Beccaria, in the Oltrepò Pavese region, had the opportunity to chat with many of those in attendance between runway shows, explaining to them that it is not true that Bacchus, Tobacco, and Venus turn a man to ashes, as an old folk saying goes. “Bacchus, above all, doesn’t do that: it’s essential to drink well and in moderation,” he declared, drawing widespread approval. Then, of course, Faravelli posed for the classic photo op with some of the stunning contestants at the event.
After all, Faravelli is accustomed to moving with ease in the most diverse settings, backed by a company history that dates back to 1895, when his great-grandfather Antonio founded Cantine Vitea in Montù Beccaria, in the heart of the Oltrepò Pavese region. Five generations later, the winery is now one of the most recognizable names in the Italian wine scene, with internationally award-winning labels and an increasingly prominent presence among the country’s finest products.
Among the winery’s flagship products are the Metodo Classico Pinot Nero Pas Dosé, the Pinot Grigio Trame’s, and the Bonarda Gallesio, all ranked among Italy’s finest wines by Italy’s Finest Wines. Also of great interest are the Buttafuoco Cà del Cervo—awarded the “Corona” by the Vinibuoni d’Italia guide and described as “rhapsodic” by critic Daniel Thomases—and the Riesling Viteus, a winner at the Hunter Award in Merano. The latest addition to the Vitea lineup is the Metodo Classico Vitea, the result of a rigorous winemaking process using Pinot Noir grapes with no added sugar at any stage of production, designed to express the vintage and terroir with the utmost authenticity.
Faravelli’s versatility is also expressed through the Golf and Wine 1895 project, which takes its name from the year the company was founded and aims to combine golf tournaments with an appreciation of the wines of the Oltrepò Pavese region. Throughout 2026, the Pavia-based entrepreneur has graced the greens of some of Italy’s most prestigious clubs, from the Monticello Golf Club to the Bogogno Golf Resort in the Novara area, including the Barlassina Golf Club, the La Pinetina Golf Club, and the Rapallo Golf and Tennis Club, receiving enthusiastic acclaim everywhere he went—both for the wines and for the entrepreneurial vision behind the project.
The philosophy driving this initiative is summed up in Faravelli’s own words: “It is essential to grow golf in our country. The more people play this sport, the more the local economy, tourism, and the promotion of the region are strengthened. If golf grows, the entire system grows. Let’s play and work together for the good of Italy.” A message that, evidently, Faravelli knows how to convey with equal effectiveness both on the greens and on the runways of Miss Italia.
