Dina Fontanin, 100 Years Old with Grappa in Her Heart

 Leopoldina “Dina” Fontanin Viggiano, born in Venice on November 19, 1924, reached the milestone of 100 years old with an answer that says a great deal about her character and her roots. When asked about the secret to her longevity, Dina replied with irony and Venetian pride: “I prefer Grappa: forget being American, I am truly Venetian”. 

Venetian by birth and a citizen of the world, Dina lived for decades in the United States, where she taught Italian at Stanford and helped spread Italian culture in Silicon Valley. Her life weaves together the Venice of her youth, the years of the war, her move overseas, her love of Italian cuisine and encounters with major cultural figures, from Marcello Mastroianni to Dino Buzzati. 

Grappa, mentioned with natural ease and a smile, thus becomes a small symbol of belonging: not a miraculous elixir, but an authentic sign of identity, conviviality and Venetian tradition. A story that connects Venice, Veneto and Silicon Valley, reminding us how far Italian culture can travel without ever losing its accent.