The Stepskis, a noble Mittel European family, were well aware of the attractions of the Republic of Venice and its lands even before they linked their destiny with the Rechsteiner family. A forebear, Mathias von der Schulenburg, who served in the army of the Republic of Venice, distinguished himself in battle during the defence of Corfu against the Turks at the end of the seventeenth century. More recently, Felix Moritz von Stepski-Doliwa, a garrison commader in the Austro-Hungarian army, constructed a recreation centre in Venice for his officers and soldiers.

A remnant of the recreation centre is the insignia “Sandwirt” (“host of the sands”) which can be seen on the entrance door of the famous Hotel Gabrielli in Venice.

The Rechsteiner estate in Piavon di Oderzo, currently managed by Dr Hans-Onno von Stepski-Doliwa, is therefore of noteworthy historical importance.

The farm includes 210 hectares of arable land of which 45 hectares are vineyards.

These vineyards produce the grapes from which the famous D.O.C. Piave wines are made .