One of Northern Italy's largest privately owned wine producing operations has sold to the nation's leading producer, Caviro.  Embriella Meredia Griffen, the owner of Meredian Vineyards, based out of Adriano, Italy, signed the documents early this week.  The sale of the vineyard co-op is said to be one of the most expensive acquisitions for Caviro in nearly five decades.  It is rumored that Caviro paid more than 12 million euros for the operation.

Meredian Vineyards has had a astonishing rise to popularity.  Unusual weather patterns have kept the mountain valleys plush and fertile for the last decade.  Griffen was quoted, "The weather is simply delicious here, white grapes love the soil and the climate.  We haven't had a single bad harvest in 10 years or so." 

Ms. Griffen was the sole owner of the venture and plans to move south to Rome to continue to persue other avenues.  She plans to share some of the profit of the sale with the local farmers whom she was instrumental in uniting to create the co-op.  "A firm hand and strong direction will drive people." Griffen noted.