APRIL 17, 2002

Jarno the winemaker

Renault Sport driver Jarno Trulli has recently become the owner of vineyard.

RENAULT SPORT driver Jarno Trulli has recently become the owner of vineyard, having acquired 80 acres of vineyard, planted with the unusual Montepulciano grape, which are used in the area to produce the vigorous Abruzzo red wine. The vineyard is situated in the hills behind the city of Pescara, Jarno's home town and (historians will recall) the venue of one of the most spectacular of the old European road circuits, which was first used in 1924. The race track ran from the coast up into the Abruzzi hills before returning to the coast. It was the home of the Coppa Acerbo and in August 1957 hosted a one-off Formula 1 World Championship event, which was won by Stirling Moss.

Trulli is the latest of a long series of racing drivers who have invested in vineyards, the most notable being Jean Alesi, Mario Andretti and Maurice Trintignant.