Tuscan Vineyard Makes Wine To Honour Thomas Jefferson’s Italian Friend

The Mazzei vineyard in Siena, Tuscany has made a wine named ‘Philip’ in honour of Italian Philip Mazzei, who is credited the idea that all men are created equal. Born Filippo (Philip) Mazzei in Tuscany, Mazzei was an Italian patriot, merchant, doctor, winemaker, horticulturist and pamphleteer. Mazzei moved to London in 1755 where he met Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Adams. In 1773, Mazzei led a group of Italians who went to Virginia where they introduced the cultivation of vineyards, olives and Mediterranean fruits. There Mazzei was a neighbour of Thomas Jefferson, the American Founding Father, principal author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the USA. The two became friends, starting the first commercial vineyard in the Commonwealth of Virginia with George Washington. The vineyard was planted at Jefferson’s estate in Monticello. The vines planted included some from Tuscany, Naples and Sicily. When Mazzei returned to Italy in 1779, he became a secret agent for the state of Virginia and shipped arms to the revolutionaries during the American War of Independence. Mazzei then travelled in Europe promoting republican ideals, fund raising for his adopted nation and wrote a history of the American Revolution. He returned to Italy and died in Pisa in 1816. Mazzei and Jefferson’s friendship was not just confined to a love of wine. They shared an interest in politics, exchanging ideas about liberty and freedom, and corresponded with each throughout their lives. Jefferson was influenced by Mazzei’s ideas and writings. In 1774, Mazzei wrote in an article for ‘The Virginia Gazette’ that Jefferson translated: “Tutti gli uomini sono per natura egualmente liberi e indipendenti. Quest’eguaglianza è necessaria per costituire un governo libero. Bisogna che ognuno sia uguale all’altro nel diritto naturale.” (All men are by nature equally free and independent. Such equality is necessary in order to create a free government. All men must be equal to each other in natural law.) Two years later, Jefferson later paraphrased the idea for the doctrine that “All men are created equal” that is included in the Declaration of Independence. According to the Joint Resolution 175 of the 103rd Congress, the phrase in the Declaration of Independence “All men are created equal” was suggested by the Mazzei. Mazzei’s descendant, also named Filippo, says the wine is dedicated to his ancestor and is “inspired by the values of life, liberty and happiness.” The first vintage dedicated to Mazzei is from 2008. Some 2,500 cases were produced, 2,000 of which are intended for the American market where they will be on sale from 4 July, Independence Day. Filippo said of his ancestor: “He was the first Italian immigrant to promote political and economic relations between the United States and Italy.”