Santalucia 2022: the solidarity project of Maculan and Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus officially presented

On Thursday 14 December , guests of the Alajmo brothers' Le Calandre*** restaurant in Sarmeola di Rubano (Padua), the Maculan winery and Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus officially presented Santalucia 2022 . The charity initiative, now in its 14th edition , consists of a fundraiser to support scientific research against eye diseases through the awarding of 300 unique and numbered bottles from one of the best barriques of the Breganze (Vicenza) company. "Every year we host a panel in the company made up of sector journalists, professional tasters, representatives of institutions and entrepreneurs – explains Fausto Maculan –. We involve them in a blind tasting with six of our best barriques. Last 24 October the jury selected the Merlot di Monte Rosso , which thus became Santalucia 2022". The artistic packaging and label of the limited edition bear the signature of Jessica Frazza , an artist and artisan from Mestre active in the Artismo Social Promotion Association, made up of autistic and neurodivergent artists committed to developing their personal style through a theoretical and practical path of art graphics, engraving, painting and sculptural techniques. Added to the official collection are 10 unique and exclusive packages aimed at the most generous supporters, created by other Artismo artists and craftsmen. “This year Santalucia is enriched with an additional value, that of art which becomes inclusion. And it does so with an edition of great value – declares Giuseppe Di Falco , President of the Banca degli Occhi Foundation –. Our thanks therefore go to the artists of the Artismo association and, in particular, to Fausto Maculan who, together with his daughters Angela and Maria Vittoria, has as always made his advanced knowledge of wine art available, choosing to offer a further social meaning to this precious project". The proceeds from the Santalucia 2022 project will support research against some rare ocular diseases and will make it possible to provide assistance to patients . Specifically, the researchers will delve into the EEC Syndrome - a systemic pathology that causes very serious eye lesions which are now also studied through analysis of the genetic mutations of the various carriers - Aniridia, a genetic disease that affects childhood, and pathologies such as Lyell's Syndrome. A part of the funds will allow patients to be offered free eye exams, support transport and access costs to the structure and, in general, guarantee the best possible assistance in the fight against rare diseases. The Merlot grapes from which Santalucia 2022 is born were harvested from the Monte Rosso vineyard in the Ferrata area, in Breganze (Vicenza). The plant has a density of 5000 vines per hectare and an average age of over twenty years. The September 2022 harvest was followed by a slight overripening of the bunches on racks in the cellar, for a greater aromatic concentration. The vinification took place in open steel vats with four daily punchings during the entire fermentation. The wine then aged for 12 months in French oak barriques which defined its structure and organoleptic profile. The bottles are available to order , for a minimum donation of 100 euros, at the Maculan company headquarters or by contacting the Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus at info@fbov.it or by calling 041 965 6440 – 6442.