Cristina Santagata is the character of the year 2021

Cristina Santagata is Olio Officina’s person of the year 2021 because she has distinguished herself by pursuing new projects that differ from her field of specialisation.

Despite the two difficult years we have faced, characterised by the pandemic and, consequently, by the limited possibility for companies to make new investments, Cristina Santagata has expanded her interests towards other sectors.

With the aim of creating synergy between the two companies and expanding their global presence, she made a major investment by purchasing 20% of the shares of VR Aceti, a Modena-based company specialised in the production and marketing of classic and organic balsamic vinegar under the Re Modena brand. Also in 2021, together with Gruppo FOS, she set up the Newco Piano Green, a start-up for intelligent solutions in the agricultural field, with the aim of promoting the marketing of Microcosmo, a field simulator that recreates in a highly innovative indoor environment the crop in the field, and of “Eye-Trap” smart pheromone and chromotropic traps for intelligent control and monitoring of phytosanitary control of native and/or alien insect pests such as, for example, the oil fly.

VR Aceti produces the vinegar using the Lambrusco and Trebbiano grapes that grows in its own vineyards and the latest technology, but always respecting the tradition necessary to obtain a product that respects the old traditional recipe. This new business between the Modenese company and Santagata 1907 will certainly create new opportunities for employees, customers, suppliers and partners, after all, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar are always a perfect match. Piano Green, the technology start-up dedicated to smart agriculture solutions, wants to work alongside the farming community to contribute to a more sustainable, green and productive future.