They were breathless, flushed in the face, their shoes were dirty and dirt was under their nails. The wild countryside had opened itself creating a playground for the two youngsters who were full of life! They took off running, without looking back. They were convinced that beyond the big rock that looked like a nose - the place their parents said to be the limit of their insurmountable adventures - that there was a mysterious presence.
Toni and Romeo, were rather distant, surrounded and protected by the nature which they knew like the backs of their hands, were excitedly looking at the most fragile plants. Their imaginations were focused on the legendary past, the crewel and heroic stories about the Brigands of the area, that came from the parched mouths of their grandparents during the long and humid afternoons of the summer.
"In 1861 the hay barn of the Colli district, the Fontana Greca and the Ferrarise Wood were where the Brigands stopped to rest. All the people had to do was satisfy their few simple requests and they would not have hurt anyone of the inhabitants of the towns and localities in that area. They were ready to fight until death for their land, but they couldn't say no to a great glass of wine to "cheer up their spirits"!
During the unification of Italy, where the family home and the company are found, the area was defined Terra di Briganti. Bloody events took place not far from there, in town of Casalduni, during the painful process of which the newborn "modern state" could be seen pushing their power on the people, to change their traditions, habits and make use of their resources. The proudest and most reckless of them formed a resistance to defend their freedom and the land where they were born, a place that was considered a perpetrated pillage by the invading populations. The brigands, men and women, had a great ability to use their weapons, and just as much ability to nonchalantly dialogue with the intricate and wild nature, being able to "live in hiding" or rather, "live the life of an outlaw".
