Danny Pignato

Winemaker & Chief Fermentation Officer

Danny’s interest in wine began with a fascination for plants, soil, and the science behind how things grow. He studied plant and soil science with an emphasis in viticulture and enology, building a strong foundation in grape growing and winemaking.

While in school, Danny worked as a horticulturalist at the Chicago Botanic Garden and spent his off seasons traveling through renowned wine regions including Austria, France, Spain, Australia, Argentina, and Italy. After completing vineyard and winery internships in both Italy and Argentina, he returned home inspired to pursue winemaking more seriously and begin building something of his own.

Fernanda Pignato

Co-Founder & Director of Deliciousness

About Us

Danny and Fernanda share a love of plants, farming, and the thoughtful process of creating something by hand. What began as a chance meeting on a small farm in Tuscany eventually grew into a shared life—and now, a winery.

Fernanda was born and raised in Curitiba, Brazil, where her love of nature and science led her to pursue a degree in Biology. After graduating, she set off to travel through Italy, where she experienced firsthand the deep culture and traditions surrounding food, farming, and wine.

After meeting Danny, Fernanda moved to the United States and began exploring the world of wine more deeply. Combining her scientific background with a growing passion for viticulture, she completed courses in wine chemistry and gained hands-on experience working in vineyards throughout southern Wisconsin.

Where It All Began

In 2016, Danny interned on a small olive farm in Tuscany, learning about farming and life in the Italian countryside. The following year, while traveling through Italy again, he decided to stop back at the same farm for a quick one-day visit.

At the same time, Fernanda had been traveling through Italy after finishing her biology degree in Brazil. By chance, her travels also brought her to that very same olive farm.

What was meant to be a short visit turned into something more. Danny and Fernanda met that day and ended up staying together at the farm for three days before traveling through Tuscany for another two. Eventually Danny had to return to the United States, but they stayed in touch through months of calls and messages.

Fernanda eventually accepted Danny’s invitation to visit the U.S., and what began as a visit quickly turned into something much bigger. When her visa expired six months later, Danny traveled back with her to Brazil, where they spent four months together.

Exactly one year after they first met, they returned to the same olive farm in Tuscany. Standing in the very spot where they had first spoken, Danny asked Fernanda to marry him—and she said yes.

Since then, Danny and Fernanda have built a life rooted in plants, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. Together they started and operate a successful landscape design firm and founded a herbal and mushroom tincture company.

Now they are bringing their longtime passion for wine into the professional world—building a winery grounded in curiosity, craftsmanship, and the belief that great wine begins with great places and good company.

Old Mill Creek, IL

Nestled in this tiny town, our vineyard nurtures each grape with care for those small, premium batches.