We are delighted to welcome Violante Gardini, daughter of Donatella Cinelli Colombini and sales director for the family winery, to Ontario this month. For one night only, Violante will guide guests through her family's wines over a five-course dinner.
A winery in Montalcino run, cellar to sales, entirely by women.
The story behind the wines
Donatella Cinelli Colombini left her family's estate in 1998 to start her own — Casato in Montalcino, and Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda. Along with the vineyards and farmhouses to be renovated, she inherited a quantity of Brunello di Montalcino, and needed a cellar master to oversee its barrel ageing. She called the Enology School in Siena for a good student to hire. They had none to spare — cellar masters were booked years in advance — but they mentioned they had many female cellar masters available, because no important winery wanted to employ them.
Donatella did not just hire a woman cellar master for her project. The entire staff are women, including the world-renowned consultant winemaker Valérie Lavigne, and Donatella has become a beacon for women in the wine industry, in Italy and globally. Her daughter Violante Gardini grew up in the winery, learning alongside her mother, and today oversees its international sales. Violante will be guiding us through the family's wines.
Watch: Donatella on the family estate
Le Sommelier visited the Colombini family at the winery in August 2023. In this short film, Donatella talks about the estate she built — and the all-women team behind it.
The wines you'll taste
Le Sommelier carries the full Donatella Cinelli Colombini range in Ontario. The dinner showcases the estate's Sangiovese, from approachable Rosso to flagship Brunello.
The dinner
Together with Le Sommelier, Violante will lead a special five-course wine dinner at Bovine Wine Club, featuring the cuisine of Davide Ciavattella, Executive Chef of the acclaimed Don Alfonso 1890.
| Event | Five-course wine dinner with Violante Gardini |
|---|---|
| Winery | Donatella Cinelli Colombini (Casato Prime Donne), Montalcino, Italy |
| Special guest | Violante Gardini, sales director |
| Cuisine | Davide Ciavattella, Executive Chef, Don Alfonso 1890 |
| Venue | Bovine Wine Club — 65 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5J 1E3 |
| Date & time | Tuesday, November 24, 2026 · dinner service |
| Price | CA$350 per person |
| Reservations | Le Sommelier · 416.603.7026 · bernard@lesommelier.com |
Reserve on OpenTable Follow the winery on Instagram
Find Bovine Wine Club
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Donatella Cinelli Colombini wine dinner?
- A five-course wine dinner at Bovine Wine Club in Toronto, hosted by Le Sommelier and led by Violante Gardini, pairing the family winery's Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino with cuisine by Chef Davide Ciavattella of Don Alfonso 1890.
- Who is Violante Gardini?
- She is the daughter of Montalcino winemaker Donatella Cinelli Colombini and the sales director of the family's all-women winery, Casato Prime Donne.
- Why is Donatella Cinelli Colombini known for women in wine?
- Donatella staffs her winery entirely with women, from the cellar master to consultant winemaker Valerie Lavigne, and is recognised as a global advocate for women in the wine industry.
- Which wines are served, and can I buy them in Ontario?
- The dinner features the estate's Sangiovese, from Rosso di Montalcino to flagship Brunello. Le Sommelier carries the full Colombini range in Ontario.
- How do I reserve a seat?
- Tickets are CA$350 per person. Reserve on OpenTable at Bovine Wine Club, or contact Le Sommelier at 416.603.7026 or bernard@lesommelier.com.
Le Sommelier · 416.603.7026 · bernard@lesommelier.com
