As you may know, Nina was proud of her Sicilian heritage and, in keeping with that, an avid cook and baker. Her dinners were something to look forward to, as you always knew she would draw from her amazing family recipes.

Whether it was a delicious appetizer or one of her many courses, dinners at Nina's were always much looked forward to. Desserts could not be resisted. When you left Nina's, you never left hungry; in fact, you thought about starting a diet the next day!

Nina grew up at the Bernardo Winery, founded by her father when she was little. Her family recipes were part of her mother's kitchen; many were served at the winery. Today, the winery is a magical place, still family run by her nephew Rossy.

You can order a copy of her cookbook, Grapevines And Olive Branches, on Kindle reader or a hardcover copy.

Nina is survived by her three children, Tony, Connie, Vince Renda, and her five beautiful grandchildren.