The ancient headquarters of the Compagnia dell’Arte dei Brentatori

“The wine carriers with their brenta had their first headquarters here. The brentatori were the only ones authorized to carry out this task and, on occasion, were also called upon to put out fires. The guild was active from the first half of the 13th century until the end of the 19th century.” This is what is written on the plaque found in today’s Via de’ Pignattari, next to the Basilica of San Petronio, where the Compagnia dell’Arte dei Brentatori had its first headquarters. Back then, in the 13th century, Via de’ Pignattari was called Via S. Ambrogio, but as a testimony to this prestigious and historic location the name of the street was later changed, first to Via della Brenta and then to Via del Dazio del Vino. Only much later did the street take on its current name.

The Compagnia dei Brentatori was then suppressed, as were all other guilds, by Napoleon in 1800. It was reformed in 1970 in Bazzano, where the current headquarters can still be found. The Compagnia dell’Arte dei Brentatori, with the aim of reconnecting with its ancient function, continues to exalt wine, irrelevant of origin or brand, for its tradition and influence in the development of artistic and literary civilization.