- Gina DeGirolamo -

📙 My Story

As Stanley Tucci would say "I'm Italian on both sides". I call myself a 1 1/2 generation Italian American because my mom was born in Sicily and my father was born in the United States. His parents were from a small hill town in the Puglia region so all four of my grandparents were  part of the great migration in the early 1900's. 

I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and was surrounded by Italian Americans and was taught to be very proud of our heritage. My dad would say there was nothing better than family, Italy and the Mediteranean diet. While I carried this with me through out my life it wasn't until I started traveling to Italy myself that I understood why this was so.

I first started working at Giornata in 2020 and took on the role of Tasting Room & Wine Club Manager. I learned so much more about the regions of Italy through wine and discussions with Brian, Stephy and our guests.  I knew I was working in the right place when I would find myself getting more and more excited every time I would learn a new Italian grape variety or share with guests about travels to Italy. In 2024 I came over to the Etto side of the company so I could share my passion to a broader audience through our dream of becoming a national pasta brand that educates people on what great pasta truly is.

Taking cooking classes at Regio Tratturo

The fruits of our labor of making Cavatelli pasta

Pantheon in Rome

🇮🇹 Favorite Region in Italy

Sicily- Not only for my family roots but also its fantastic!

🍴 Best Meal in Italy

In my opinion, every meal in Italy is the best meal I've had. I love the ones I stumble upon unexpectedly. It really is ok to just drop in pretty much anywhere especially when you are not in the big tourist areas. 

🤔 Florence, Venice or Rome? 

Thats a tough one. There are so many reasons to go to any of them. I think I would have to say  Rome. It can be incredibly beautiful and raw at the same time. The amount of people can definitely be overwhelming as most of Italy can be now days. To walk among the streets of this ancient empire and see ruins like the Colosseum in the middle of a bustling city is so surreal. 

🚗 Off the Beaten path

In 2016 I went to the Puglia region to visit the small town of Faeto which is where my paternal grandparents emigrated  from. We stayed at an agriturismo in Ariano Irpino which was about 30 mins by car from Faeto. The photo of me on this page is taken on the street my grandfather grew up on. It is my favorite streets in all of Italy. 

Staying at Regio Tratturo was such a wonderful experience. We were surrounded by lush green hillsides and treated to such good food everyday, ate with locals and took cooking lessons. Since it was an agriturismo, all the food and wine had to come from the property. At least that's how we understood it because when we asked for a Coke, they said it was "illegal" to serve it to us but that the wine they made was legal.

☝️ Pointers or Tips?

If you have Italian heritage and you know where your ancestry originates from, by all means go visit! You will have a visceral feeling when you are there and if you have any living relatives you will most likely find them to be incredibly hospitable. 

Go to the Vatican for breakfast (yes its a thing). Only about 40 people attend this early morning treat and you will be the first ones in to see the Sistine chapel. 

👀 Where do you still want to visit?

So many places! Sardinia for sure and more time in Puglia. 

😱 What surprised you the most when you first visited Italy?

I cried when the plane landed. Being of Italian heritage I guess I felt like I was coming home. I was also just truly amazed at how incredibly good the food is, no matter where you go. 

❤️ What is it about Italy that really speaks to you?

I absolutely love the quality of life. The appreciation for art in all forms, whether it be with food, wine, conversation, clothes or relationships with friends and family. It is the Mediterranean lifestyle and I know that having Italian heritage makes me just love every minute of being there. Every time I have gone I feel like I am living in a dream.

🌾🍷 How does this tie in to you working at Etto/Giornata?

I feel like I get to live out a part of my dream by working with Etto & Giornata.  Everyday I get to talk about Italian food, wine and travel to Italy. This brings me a feeling of closeness to the early part of my life when I would go  with my parents to the Italian deli and bakery every Sunday after church. We would by fresh bread and sliced salami, olives, cheeses and fresh baked Italian cookies and cannoli to be able to share with family for Sunday afternoon dinner.

What we do at Etto and Giornata is we create that Sunday table atmosphere where everyone is welcome and there is always room for one more. We share stories and a love for life through our pasta and our wine. It's just wonderful.

🍝🍷 Favorite Etto Pasta/ Giornata Wine?

Another tough one but I'll go for Etto radiatori with aglio e olio, capers and artichokes along with a glass of Fatto a Mano Vermentino.