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MARCHE, ITALY power grid on the globe, since machines can end up anywhere—to noise reduction, coffee particulate distribution, and of course, for energy use and reduction. The CSA-certified lab has dozens of technical instruments, like a thermal imaging camera, which the scientists use to see heat use inside the machines, as they put them through demanding tests replicating years' worth of use in a single week and environmental conditions of every variety. It's the use of the lab that makes the machines reliable and ensures constant improvement. "We have to be sure when the barista sets the temperature, the machine is exactly what [temperature] we see on the display, one of the researchers. "We know how much energy it takes to make one espresso or cappuccino, so we can try to improve the electrical cycle, adds. "We want to increase efficiency of every machine. It's our goal." The new solar-powered, zero-waste facility is just a couple of miles " explains " he from the original Nuova Simonelli factory, which the company has grown out of. That building, though, is still in use. It stands in the shadow of a quintessential Marche hill town, Belforte del Chienti. A tiny burg of only a few hundred souls, Belforte stands at the top of a ridge just up from the Nuova Simonelli building. It is dominated by a clock tower and a medieval city wall and must look today exactly how it has appeared for to Marchigaiani (people from the Marche region) for several hundred years. History, however, is not relegated to only the outside of the building. Inside is a very cool interactive exhibit of an amazing array of historical machines built by Nuova Simonelli and its other brand, Victoria Arduino. With machines ranging from the Art Deco styling of the 1930s right through to WBC-winning Aurelias from Atlanta, London and Bogotá, the museum is a delightful place to explore. My personal favorite was a home espresso machine from 1982 called the Mia. Featuring a minimalist design, small footprint and bright colors, the machine looked like something from Cupertino, Calif., if Apple ever felt like making an espresso maker. That the design and style in fact predate the original Mac is really astounding. Touring the Nuova Simonelli facilities and meeting the people who work there leaves one with an impression that there really is something 30 barista magazine On display in the Nuova Simonelli museum are machines that refl ect the styles of their eras, from the Art Deco designs of the 1930s through the well- recognized, contemporary Aurelias. special about the Marche region, that there's a reason Orlando Simonelli started his company there just over 75 years ago, instead of in the industrial north where most manufacturing in Italy takes place. I think that part of it is a connection to the land, to a place where agriculture dominates, but artisans are integral parts of the community. Orlando Simonelli chose to stay and build his company in Marche for a reason; he was a part of the community and he wanted his company to be a part of it, too. It's the same attitude I found when walking down the hallway of Nuova Simonelli's ultramodern factory. I looked in on the prototype testing room, where dozens of production models stand side by side with newer versions, which may or may not ever actually make it to the factory floor. I saw one of the three partners who now own the company working on one of the machines. The older gentleman, who at this point in his career surely has earned a nice corner office somewhere, had a screwdriver in one hand and was taking the machine in front of him apart. I asked why he was tinkering in the lab instead of up in his office, and in a true Marchigaiani reaction, he said, "What would I do in an office?" He shook his head at me with a smile and a laugh. And then he started back on the machine once again. The friendliness, warmth and hospitality the people at Nuova Simonelli showed me how closely they keep the spirit of their region and their company to their hearts. They had a pride in Marche, a lovely, undiscovered region of Italy that proved to me once again that no matter where you go in the world you'll find quality in places where people feel a connection to the land, their neighbors and quality. Craftsmanship and support for artisans make Marche a place where dedication is rewarded, much like in the world of specialty coffee and at the best cafés.