My mother served me wine and water from the time I was 3 years old.

I know that wine is, above all else, a blessing, a gift of nature, a joy as pure and elemental as the soil and vines and sunshine from which it springs.

If you go back to the Greeks and Romans, they talk about all three - wine, food, and art - as a way of enhancing life.

Wine to me is passion. It's family and friends. It's warmth of heart and generosity of spirit.

Once I was able to take care of myself and my children, I then wanted to share.

Even more importantly, it's wine, food and the arts. Incorporating those three enhances the quality of life.

I always knew that food and wine were vital, with my mother being Italian and a good cook.