Salvatore Forestieri, owner of La Cantinetta wine shop in Pisa, recently celebrated 40 years in business. He reminisces about the past, when the street where his shop is located was filled with residents doing their shopping as early as 7,30 in the morning. Back then, his family ran a wine and spirits store that mainly sold liquors, both national and international, to local restaurants. They also sold syrups and well-known wines that were in high demand at the time. In those days, water and wine were delivered directly to people’s homes, particularly to the elderly who lived in buildings with few elevators. Nowadays, home deliveries are typically carried out by large corporations, but Forestieri still personally delivers wine and spirits after closing his shop, using a scooter with a flat platform for safely transporting boxes of wine. Over the years, Forestieri has witnessed the changes in the neighborhood and the city, as old friends and residents have moved away and historic shops have closed. However, his shop remains a gathering place for both young and older generations, including students who are eager to try the carefully selected Pisan wines. It is common to see at least two generations interacting in the shop, as friendships are formed between elderly residents and curious students who want to learn about the area and Pisa. Former students often return to share their post-graduate experiences, and even foreign professors who have worked in Pisa make a point to visit Forestieri when they come back to Italy. Forestieri finds great satisfaction in these moments of connection and looks forward to another 40 years of sharing stories and raising a glass at La Cantinetta.
I primi 40 anni della Cantinetta. Due generazioni di brindisi pisani
Pisa 40 anni di tradizione enogastronomica, la Cantinetta, un simbolo di brindisi pisani con due generazioni di esperienza. GN