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History & Tradition Like many Italian immigrants, Bertero Basignani’s grandparents, Annunziata and Scandiano Bechini, brought the practice of home winemaking with them from Italy. ​ Following in their footsteps, Bert aspired to carry on the family tradition. In 1972, while still a student at Towson State University, Bert bought 10 acres of farmland in Butler, Maryland. In the back of his mind he envisioned someday planting a vineyard to make his own wine. In 1974, he married Lynne and together they planted 60 vines, 10 each of 6 different varieties. Bert began making wine using his grandmother’s grape press. He read every book he could find on the subject, and picked every mind available to him as he began experimenting with winemaking.