Carmella Borgi came to America from Sicily. She was 16. She traveled alone with a girlfriend, also 16. They traveled two weeks.

One day after settling into life in New Jersey, Carmella ran into a family friend, Charles Amagrande—he'd also traveled to America from Sicily.

The two were married, after Charles delayed the wedding when the grapes ripened early. Charles said, wine is like air, you need it to live.

Charles and Carmella raised eight children in New Jersey. When eldest son Joe was in the service, Charles heard about climate that never saw frost. He moved everyone to California. Just outside Pasadena. Five of the eight are still in the general area, along with many relatives. Four of her children have joined Carmella in the Holy garden. Including a baby girl who died as an infant.

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