A tragic incident occurred as a winemaker, Matteo Forner, aged 44, lost his life in a grape press accident just days before turning 45. The unfortunate event took place while Matteo was cleaning the press and it unexpectedly activated, trapping him inside and resulting in a fatal neck injury.
Matteo, who played a significant role in establishing the winery with his family, including his father Lino, was believed to have thought the machine was switched off at the time. However, due to a brief power outage, the press restarted when power was restored, leading to the devastating outcome.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and medical personnel, arrived at the scene where Matteo was declared deceased. His body was then taken to the Castelfranco Veneto mortuary for further procedures.
Matteo, a well-known figure in the Grappa region, was set to mark his 45th birthday shortly. He was recently elected to the city council for the Castelcucco Nuova party in 2022, garnering recognition within the community.
Mayor Paolo Mares expressed his sympathies to Matteo’s family, highlighting Matteo’s personal qualities and dedication to his work. He emphasized Matteo’s exceptional work ethic and commitment, both in his council duties and at the winery. The community mourns the loss of Matteo, recognizing his invaluable contributions and the strength of the Forner family during this tragic time.
The winery, Pat del Colmél, situated in the Montello Colli Asolani area of Treviso in Veneto, has been a longstanding family business since 1875. Passed down through generations, Matteo, along with his parents Gabriella and Lino Forner, played a pivotal role in leading the company in recent times.
Matteo is survived by his parents, his 15-year-old son, and siblings, leaving a significant void in both his family and the local community.
