Whiskyssoires

Valentino (Rino) Zagatti was born into a farming family
at Filo di Argenta in the countryside around Ferrara.
He went blind at the age of 11 years.
After primary school he studied the piano and accordion.
Upon finishing school he continued with the accordion,
entering national and international competitions,
always competing against sighted people and always
gaining first place for this instrument.
In 1955 he married Jole, afterwards moving to Lugo di
Ravenna, where they had two children.
1957 saw the completion of his accordion teaching
diploma at Rome's Lanaro academy, being examined by
Luigi Lanaro and Fransesco Balilla Pratella.
From 1957 to 1960, he spent the money for 12 cigarettes
a day, "on someting more interesting and real,
something which would remain. I thought about buying
a bottle of a distillate each month from every country
worldwide, i.e. cognac, rum, grappa, vodka... and whisky".
In 1960 he had "20 beautiful bottles" and it was to be the
start of the Collection.

© 1999 by Valentino Zagatti (original introduction)