Maurizio Di Franco
Maurizio is the owner of VinoRoma, a certified sommelier and member of AIS.
He was raised in Phoenix, Arizona by Italian-born parents. He spent much of his youth working in his family’s restaurant, which first opened his eyes to the traditional foods of Italy and the wines that they pair so perfectly with. At university, he studied Italian language and culture and it was during a semester abroad in Florence when he fell in love with the Italian way of life and one Italian in particular: his wife, Paola. In 2009, he moved to Rome to study wine and food and he never left. Having completed his sommelier education with the Italian Sommelier Association (AIS), he went on to work with Hande Leimer at VinoRoma, until taking over the company in 2021. He now teaches wine courses and leads tastings and tours for the company. When not traveling to visit the country’s many winemaking areas, he’s most often found around the table with friends and family sharing a good meal along with a great natural wine, craft beer, or a well-made cocktail.
You can follow him on Instagram at @maurizio_difranco
Frank Villani
Frank is a certified sommelier and member of FISAR.
He was born and raised in Calgary, Canada to Italian parents. At the age of 13, his family returned to their hometown of Pontecagnano, near Salerno in southern Italy. During his university years, Frank discovered a love for Italian wine and began studying with the Italian Federation of Sommeliers, Hoteliers and Restaurateurs (FISAR). While completing his sommelier training in 2009, he worked in a local wine shop, where he honed his skill of connecting people with the perfect bottle. He later moved to Rome and worked as a wine educator at the Intrecci School of Hospitality near Orvieto, training the next generation of sommeliers and restaurateurs. For many years now, Frank has focused on natural wines, a passion that continues to deepen with time. His knowledge, warmth, and ability to make wine approachable are central to the VinoRoma experience, where he serves as Manager and Brand Ambassador.
You can follow him on Instagram at @frank_villani
Fernanda Vaca
Fernanda is a sommelier in training and a passionate storyteller of food and wine traditions.
Born in Quito, Ecuador, with Italian roots—her grandfather emigrated from Trieste in the 1940s—she moved to Rome in 2003 to study Italian food and culture, quickly falling in love with the city’s rich culinary traditions and vibrant neighborhoods. She has since led food tours, taught cooking classes, and built a career sharing Rome’s authentic flavors with curious travelers and locals alike. Since 2022, she has been a student of Maurizio and Frank at VinoRoma as well as training with AIS in order to deepen her understanding of Italy’s diverse wine regions. She’s passionate about creating relaxed, convivial experiences that invite guests to slow down, connect, and savor the stories behind every glass and dish. When she’s not pouring wine, she’s usually cooking, dancing, or planning her next adventure.
You can follow her on Instagram at @ferriweri