ETRUSCANS – The Banqueters of Ancient Italy 

By Lisa C. Pieraccini, Ph.D, UC Berkeley

As an archaeologist of Ancient Italy, I know what it means to work on the land (or literally, in the dirt). I spent my childhood growing up in Sonoma County where we often had family gatherings at a wonderful little winery in St. Helena (with picnic benches out in front). That special place was the V. Sattui Winery. Years later, I found myself pursuing a Ph.D. in the field of classical archaeology, with special emphasis on the Etruscans and Romans.

My career took me to Italy where I lived for many years teaching and conducting research at some of Italy’s finest museums and archaeological sites. My Italian family left Italy at the turn of the twentieth century to avoid digging ditches, to make a new life, only to have their great-granddaughter go back to Italy to do just that! I now teach at UC Berkeley where I specialize in Etruscan and early Roman art and archaeology, with a special interest in funerary rituals, Etruscan and Roman wall painting, Etruscan eating and drinking utensils, as well as the ritual and secular consumption of food and wine. I am the Project Director of the Del Chiaro Center for Ancient Italian Studies at UC Berkeley where our mission is to preserve the future of Italy’s past.

To this end, it gives me great pleasure to return to the winery where my family gathered many years ago to eat and drink, to contextualize how the ancient people of Italy, namely, the Etruscans did the same.

Please join me at V. Sattui Winery on Sunday, September 10th from 11:30 am – 3:00 pm for a fascinating look at the Etruscan culture followed by a luncheon created by Michelin Star Chef Stefano Masanti, who will bring the Etruscan culture to life through his cuisine.

Seats are limited! Tickets are available here.