Mario Coletta knows good coffee. The 58-year-old father of two is the owner of Caffe Vignola on Watton Street. And, as he tells Charlene Macaulay, he is also a qualified gelati maker.
You were born in Italy – what was life like?
I was born in Rome. My first job was in a coffee shop and then I became an ice cream maker, pastry chef and chef.
Why did you move to Australia in 2003?
For opportunity, for my son an
d my daughter. My first sponsor was from Werribee.
What did you do before opening up Caffe Vignola?
Before this, I worked at Brunetti’s in Carlton for eight years; I was the manager. There, I trained the barista and helped Brunetti’s open two franchises in Singapore and Dubai. I lived in Singapore for eight months and Dubai for three months, to train the baristas and set up the shops.
What made you open up your own business, and why did you choose Watton Street?
This is a good location. I like Werribee and there are good people here. We’re on the main street and there are always people walking through.
What’s behind the Caffe Vignola name?
Vignola is the name of a famous architect in Italy who built the castle, La Castellina, near my first shop.
You studied at a dedicated coffee university in Trieste, Italy – what’s the secret to making a good cup of coffee?
You need lots of experience. It needs many things – the temperature in the machine, the water; everything has to be just right. I love a cappuccino or short macchiato.
What’s your favourite thing about Wyndham?
The city is growing, many people are coming. I have a small shop here and, in the future, I’d like to go bigger so I can make ice cream.
Would you change anything about this area?
I love the trees, and I’d love to see lights in the trees and more flowers in the streets.
The streets could be a little bit cleaner but I like it here.
What’s your favourite meal?
I make a great cannelloni with spinach, lasagna, minestrone, gnocchi – everything.
What’s your favourite blend of gelati?
For me, fruit gelati. It can be very difficult and very expensive. I also make an ice cream cannoli – my own invention, with sorbet, cassata, tartufo, everything.
Apart from Caffe Vignola, where is your favourite place in Wyndham to go out for a meal?
I like Uncle Leo’s, because they cook [pizza]. I love Italian food … and Raffael’s.
