The ‘duo’ behind the Vero brand
Ciao! We are Kaila and Ludovico Terraneo. One half American/Canadian and the other Italian/Australian.
Together, we make up Vero, where honest connection and genuine Italian experiences are what drive our passion for life and, in turn, our business.
Our mission is to bring you authentic Italian moments through food, wine, exclusive countryside rentals, and more.
We are committed to joining regional excellencies with the curious traveller, like you.
But first, let’s talk about how we got to Umbria, shall we?
It all began in 2014 on a small island on Australia’s iconic Sydney Harbour.
Ludo had recently left his Lake Como home to learn English and start fresh while I, Kaila, decided quickly to pack up my life stateside and move to Sydney on a whim.
There we both found ourselves, slinging pizza and cocktails at an iconic establishment on Sydney’s Harbour that absolutely oozed Italian beach vibes.
We had left our past lives behind us in search of new beginnings, but neither one of us expected to find love so quickly.
Fast forward to a couple of years later…
Ludo is now working in the high-end Italian Kitchen Design world servicing Sydney’s finest.
Originally from Cantu’, a prestigious design zone outside of Milan, Ludo was raised in an artisan’s world.
It was only natural that he eventually found his way back ‘home’ even if he was 17,000kms away.
Ludo loved sharing the ‘Italian Lifestyle’ with Sydney-siders and it was clear that he was the man for the job; a true ambassador for all things ‘Made in Italy’.
With a degree in Engineering Management and a background in the Design industry, Ludo quickly worked his way to the top, managing luxury projects throughout the greater Sydney region.
Meanwhile, I was finding my way in the world of wine.
Having served at high-end restaurants and wine bars in New York and with an extensive musical theatre background under my belt, I gravitated towards the life of a waiter/sommelier; it was still a performance after all, just on a different stage.
It wasn’t until my big move across the globe that I decided to really get serious. I enrolled in the prestigious Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) program and now hold a Level 3 Award in Wine.
After a stint as a vineyard hand in Victoria and a year of on-the-road sales, I finally landed my dream job as a Global Brand Development Manager for multiple Australian wine brands.
It was there I learned the inner workings of almost every aspect of the supply chain; from producing, branding, selling, travelling, writing and promoting.
I had really hit my stride and it could only go up from here.
But on Thanksgiving 2017, our world came to a screeching halt…
My mom, Jude, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and was told she had months to live.
Ludo and I decided it was time to get married.
I, being an only child and raised by my single-mother, needed my mom at our wedding. That was non-negotiable.
We proceeded to plan our Lake Como nuptials (location as per Jude’s ever-so frank request) in a matter of months.
The wedding plans were made across continents with Ludo still residing in Australia and me in America where I was caring for my sweet mother.
It was a whirlwind 5 months, but we pulled it off and spent a blissful week on the lake with Jude and our immediate family members by our side.
We even executed a picturesque reception atop the magnificent Lake Como.
Ciao, George and Amal Clooney! We see you, and we raise you one Lake Como wedding.
It was there that we confirmed: we made a great team.
So the wheels started to turn…
How could we create a business together, share our love of Italy with others, and actually live and breathe the Italian lifestyle we so longed for? Australia was filled with opportunities for us both, but we felt called to something greater. Something we simply could not ignore.
Our dearest Jude passed away just 2 months after the dreamy Como wedding.
It was then that our collective existential crisis took over and we decided the time was now. After suffering such a loss, we weren’t willing to let our lives nor passions pass us by.
So, the house hunting began and, after about 50 house viewings, we found our spot in the Umbrian countryside. It was ours, we could feel it.
We moved countries in the midst of the Covid-19 global pandemic…
The travel was a breeze and our quarantine spot couldn’t have been better: new house = lots to explore.
As hearty indulgers in life around the table, we knew it was our duty to promote the region that we would now call home.
From the gently rolling hills to poppy-filled fields, cypress-lined roads, to the sleepy medieval villages, world-class wine and olive oil production, to the black truffle, cashmere, and ceramics…
the excellencies of Umbria are endless.
So why has the region not had the spotlight it deserves? We continue to ponder this ourselves.
In many ways, we are thankful for the tranquility that Umbria has held onto.
While our neighbours to the north have enjoyed the limelight for years, Umbria has remained somewhat off the radar.
We don’t want our region to lose its timeless qualities, but we are committed to spotlighting the exquisite producers, farmers, and artisans that make it so special.
This will not take away from Umbria’s enchanting quality, rather it will enhance it. You see, Umbria is luxurious, soulful, classy, enchanting, timeless, and true.
This is the Italy you’ve been craving.
This is the real deal and we will help you find it.
As two passionate beings of living life the Italian way, we humbly welcome you to take a seat at our table.
