Matteo Forner thought the machine was off at the time of the fatal incident, but it’s believed to have actually stopped due to a temporary power outage – and turned back on when power was restored
A winemaker has tragically died after he was crushed to death by his own grape press, less than two weeks before he was set to celebrate his 45th birthday.
Matteo Forner, 44, was cleaning the press around 7:45 p.m. on 10 October when it suddenly started up, catching him inside. Matteo’s neck was broken in the incident, and he is believed to have died instantly, per local reports.
The devastating incident took place at a winery that Matteo helped his family build. His father Lino is believed to have witnessed his son’s death.
Both Matteo and Lino believed the machine was off at the time of the fatal incident, according to Italian press. However, the machine reportedly was not on due to a temporary power outage, and turned back on when power was restored.
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Firefighters and doctors responded to the scene, where Matteo was pronounced dead, Corriere del Veneto states. His body was later transported to the Castelfranco Veneto mortuary.
Matteo was expected to celebrate his 45th birthday in less than two weeks. He was well known in the Grappa area, especially following his 2022 election to the city council for the Castelcucco Nuova party, per Corriere del Veneto.
Mayor Paolo Mares shared his condolences with Matteo’s family following his tragic death. In Italian, he said his ” world fell apart” upon hearing the news.
“Before being a city councilor, Matteo was a dear friend,” Mares said, per Il Gazzettino, via People. “He was kind and helpful, a tireless worker.
“I remember when, some time ago, due to bad weather, I asked the councillors for help with a tree trunk that had fallen onto a road due to the rain. He was the first to respond, and within 20 minutes the tree was gone.”
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He added, “Work-wise, he was a monster, and it was evident in the work he did at the winery. Today we lose a truly precious person, and for the entire community as well. The only thing I know, in the darkness of this tragedy, is that the Forner family is a strong family. It’s in their blood. And I’m sure the same is true for Matteo’s son.”
The Pat del Colmél winery is located in the Montello Colli Asolani sub-region of Treviso in the Veneto, with vineyards stretching across the Asolane hills.
The business has been owned by the Forner family since 1875, passed down from husband and wife founders Pina and Pietro Forner, to today’s owners Gabriella and Lino Forner, and their son Matteo, who had led the company in recent years.
Matteo is survived by his parents, his 15-year-old son, and his brother and sister, according to Corriere del Veneto.