Some of the most meaningful details of an experience come with a story. At ONYX, the Annafrancesca wine we share with our clients carries one that begins in Italy—with two sisters, their grandfather’s vineyard, and the decision to build something of their own.

Through our partnership with Annafrancesca and locally owned Winedown Imports, that story has become part of ours. A bottle presented to celebrate a new vehicle connects a milestone here at ONYX with a family’s passion thousands of miles away.

And the people behind it make that connection especially meaningful.

Annafrancesca’s roots reach back to 1957, when Anna and Francesca’s grandfather, Angelo Battista, purchased land in Legnago, south of Verona. He planted Merlot vines trained over a pergola, creating shade for Sunday lunches with family and friends. Their father, an emergency room physician, later helped expand the family’s vineyards.

For Anna and Francesca, however, becoming winegrowers was an unexpected turn. Anna studied international economics and commerce, while Francesca worked restoring works of art. Both shared a love of wine and earned FISAR sommelier qualifications. Eventually, the family land offered an opportunity to create a different kind of working life together. Meet Anna and Francesca.

In 2013, the sisters founded their vineyard business, originally called Il Pioppo, initially growing grapes for other wineries. In 2015, they took the next step with their first wine: Charme, a sparkling rosé made from Merlot. By 2018, the business had become Annafrancesca—a name that brings the two sisters together on every bottle. Explore the winery’s history.

The sisters approached their new profession with a willingness to learn every part of it. They trained in pruning, tractor operation, and organic farming, developing the skills to make their own decisions in the vineyard.

Their earlier careers also found a place in the business. An appreciation for art, travel, and design helped shape wines and bottles that express their personalities. The result is a winery with family roots and room for experimentation.

That independence extends to the land itself. Legnago sits on the plains south of Verona, where Annafrancesca works with sandy, clay-rich, and mixed soils. By studying those differences and selecting suitable grape varieties, the sisters have developed wines that express their particular corner of Italy, including Merlot, Moscato Giallo, and Pinot Grigio. Discover their growing region.

Working directly among the vines also shaped the sisters’ approach to sustainability. Their commitment to organic farming grew from personal experience and a desire to care for the environment around them.

That care reaches beyond grape growing. Their Wine Loft occupies a renovated building furnished with vintage pieces. They reuse wine cartons and collaborate with a local artisan to turn worn packaging into handmade paper. Disease-resistant grape varieties are another part of their evolving effort to reduce treatments and resource use.

These are practical decisions woven into the everyday work of the winery. Read about Annafrancesca’s sustainability practices.

After Winedown Imports CEO and owner Adam Grote purchased a BMW X3 from ONYX, he received a bottle of wine. That gesture sparked a conversation about bringing Annafrancesca to our clients. Through Adam’s relationship with the winery, our team had the opportunity to meet Anna, hear her story, and taste the wines.

The relationship grew from there, including labels created especially for ONYX.

For us, those bottles represent the people behind the partnership: two sisters who chose a demanding new path, a local importer who believed in their work, and an ONYX team looking for a thoughtful way to celebrate our clients.

A new vehicle marks the beginning of something—a new routine, a long-awaited adventure, or a personal achievement. We’re proud to help celebrate that moment with a wine that has its own story of possibility.

From Anna and Francesca’s vineyard in Italy to your next chapter with ONYX, it is a connection we’re honored to share.