May 20, 2026
Welcome to Epoch. This document (the “Agreement”) is a binding legal contract between you (“User”, “you”, “your”) and Michele Bottelli (“Owner”, “we”, “us”, “our”), the operator of the Epoch website, content, and services. By accessing or using any part of our Service, you agree to be bound by all terms, conditions, policies, and notices contained herein. If you do not agree, you must immediately stop using the Service.
SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
1.1 “Service” means the website available at the domain(s) owned or operated by the Owner, including all subdomains, mobile applications, editorial content, newsletters, products, e‑commerce functions, social media channels, and any other features, tools, or materials offered now or in the future.
1.2 “Owner” means Michele Bottelli, a self‑employed professional operating under the Italian flat‑rate tax regime (“regime forfettario”), with registered address at Via Giacomo Leopardi 4, 24127 Bergamo (BG), Italy, VAT number IT04802370165, email: info@epochwine.it, certified email (PEC): michele.bottelli@pec.it.
1.3 “User” or “you” means any individual or legal entity that accesses, browses, interacts with, or uses the Service in any manner.
1.4 “Content” means all text, images, videos, data, reviews, scores, information, logos, trademarks, software, code, designs, and any other material available through the Service.
1.5 Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation. Words in the singular include the plural and vice versa.
SECTION 2: SCOPE OF THE SERVICE AND MODIFICATIONS
2.1 Epoch is an independent editorial project that pairs a specific wine vintage with the events, culture, and news of that same year. The Service is provided for informational, cultural, and commercial purposes.
2.2 We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to modify, suspend, discontinue, or restrict access to any part of the Service at any time, without notice and without liability to you. Changes become effective immediately upon posting.
SECTION 3: ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND USER CAPACITY
3.1 By using the Service, you represent that you have the legal capacity to enter into this Agreement. If you are acting on behalf of a legal entity, you warrant that you have authority to bind that entity.
3.2 Your use of the Service constitutes your explicit, irrevocable acceptance of this Agreement. If you do not agree, you must not use the Service.
SECTION 4: CONTENT, RIGHT TO CRITICIZE, AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
4.1 Nature of Content; No Warranties
All Content is provided for general informational purposes only. We make no warranties, express or implied, about the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, reliability, suitability for any particular purpose, or non‑infringement of third‑party rights. The Service is provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE.” You use it at your sole risk.
4.2 Accuracy, Errors, and Omissions
While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the Content is error‑free, complete, or up‑to‑date. We are not liable for any errors or omissions, and we reserve the right to correct or update Content without prior notice at our sole discretion.
4.3 Exercise of Right to Criticize
Reviews, ratings, scores, and opinions expressed on Epoch are the exercise of the legitimate right to criticize and freedom of expression (Article 21, Italian Constitution). They represent the subjective, personal views of the author. They are not statements of fact, nor do they constitute defamation, unfair competition, or misleading advertising. We disclaim any liability arising from third‑party interpretations of such opinions.
4.4 Disclaimer on Historical and Political Content
Epoch is a cultural project, not a political news outlet. Historical narratives are used solely to contextualize the wine vintage. Any perceived political bias is unintentional and incidental. We disclaim all liability for any claims of disinformation, fake news, or political stance.
4.5 Maximum Limitation of Liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE OWNER, ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IF, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, LIABILITY IS IMPOSED, THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF THE OWNER SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) €100 (ONE HUNDRED EUROS) OR (B) THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR ANY PRODUCT IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.
4.6 Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Owner and its representatives from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or related to (a) your use of the Service; (b) your violation of this Agreement; or (c) your violation of any third‑party rights.
SECTION 5: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND COPYRIGHT
5.1 Ownership of Epoch Content
All original Content, including but not limited to texts, analyses, reviews, graphics, logos, design, layout, source code, and compilations, is the exclusive property of Michele Bottelli and is protected by Italian, European, and international copyright, trademark, and unfair competition laws. Any reproduction, distribution, public communication, modification, creation of derivative works, extraction, or re‑use, in whole or in part, without our prior written consent is strictly prohibited.
5.2 Use of Third‑Party Trademarks
Trademarks, trade names, and denominations (e.g., DOC, DOCG) of third‑party wineries and products are used solely for descriptive identification purposes in accordance with Article 21 of the Italian Industrial Property Code. Such use does not imply affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement by the trademark owners.
5.3 Copyright Compliance and Takedown Procedure
We respect the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe that any material on the Service infringes your copyright, please provide a written notice to copyright@epochwine.it containing:
Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed.
Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing and its location on the Service.
Your contact information (name, address, email, telephone).
A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized.
A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are the owner or authorized to act on behalf of the owner.
We will respond promptly and remove or disable access to the allegedly infringing material in accordance with applicable law.
SECTION 6: USER CONDUCT AND PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
You agree not to:
Use the Service for any illegal or unauthorized purpose.
Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Service, accounts, or systems.
Upload, post, or transmit any viruses, malware, or other harmful code.
Use robots, spiders, scrapers, or other automated means to access the Service for any purpose without our express written permission.
Interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the Service.
Collect or track personal information of other users without their consent.
Violate any applicable laws or regulations.
Violation of these prohibitions may result in immediate termination of your access and legal action.
SECTION 7: SALE OF PRODUCTS (FUTURE E‑COMMERCE)
7.1 If and when we offer products for sale, such transactions will be governed by specific Conditions of Sale presented at checkout. In the event of conflict, the Conditions of Sale shall control for the purchase transaction.
7.2 Payment processing will be handled by third‑party providers such as Stripe, PayPal, or Shopify Payments. We do not collect, store, or process payment card data; it is transmitted directly to the payment processor. You are subject to their respective terms and privacy policies.
SECTION 8: FORCE MAJEURE
We shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform resulting from causes outside our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, war, terrorism, riots, embargoes, acts of civil or military authorities, fire, floods, accidents, strikes, or shortages of transportation facilities, fuel, energy, labor, or materials.
SECTION 9: GOVERNING LAW, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER
9.1 Governing Law: This Agreement and any dispute arising out of or relating to it shall be governed by the laws of Italy, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
9.2 Exclusive Jurisdiction: Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement shall be instituted exclusively in the courts of Bergamo, Italy. You waive any objection to jurisdiction or venue in such courts.
9.3 Class Action Waiver: To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action. You waive any right to participate in a class action or class arbitration.
SECTION 10: PRIVACY POLICY (GDPR COMPLIANT)
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal data in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Italian laws.
10.1 Data Controller
The Data Controller is Michele Bottelli, contact: privacy@epochwine.it.
10.2 Types of Data Processed
Navigation Data: IP addresses, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, timestamps, and system logs. This data is necessary for the functioning of the Service and is automatically collected.
Data Provided Voluntarily: Name, email address, postal address, phone number, tax information, and any other data you provide when subscribing to newsletters, making purchases, or contacting us.
Payment Data: We do not process payment card data directly. Payments are handled by third‑party processors (Stripe, PayPal, Shopify Payments). We receive only confirmation of payment and, if provided, the last four digits of the card.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies, including those from Microsoft Clarity and Microsoft Advertising, to analyze user behavior, generate heatmaps, record session replays, and improve our marketing. For details, see our Cookie Policy (available via the cookie banner).
10.3 Purposes and Legal Bases
PurposeData CategoriesLegal Basis (GDPR)Data ProvisionService delivery, security, fraud preventionNavigation data, Clarity dataArt. 6(1)(b) (performance of contract) and Art. 6(1)(f) (legitimate interest)Mandatory for accessNewsletter and direct marketingName, emailArt. 6(1)(a) (consent)OptionalOrder processing, invoicing, legal compliancePersonal details, address, tax dataArt. 6(1)(b) (contract) and Art. 6(1)(c) (legal obligation)Mandatory for purchaseAdvanced marketing, profiling, behavioral analysisNavigation, interaction data (Clarity, Analytics)Art. 6(1)(a) (explicit consent)OptionalDefense of legal rightsAll relevant dataArt. 6(1)(f) (legitimate interest)Mandatory for legal purposesTransfer to third parties for their own marketingName, emailArt. 6(1)(a) (separate consent)Optional
10.4 Data Sharing and Transfers
We do not sell your personal data. We may share data with:
Service providers (hosting, email marketing, e‑commerce, analytics, shipping) who act as data processors under written agreements.
Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, etc.) that handle payment data independently.
Public authorities when required by law.
Third‑party business partners only with your separate, explicit consent.
Some providers are located in the United States and other non‑EU countries. We ensure adequate safeguards for such transfers by relying on Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) adopted by the European Commission or other approved mechanisms.
10.5 Data Retention
Navigation data: Aggregated after processing; raw logs retained for a maximum of 12 months.
Clarity data: Up to 12 months, unless consent is withdrawn.
Newsletter data: Until consent is revoked (unsubscribe).
Contractual and invoicing data: 10 years after the end of the contractual relationship (as required by Italian tax and civil law).
Marketing and profiling data: Up to 24 months from collection, after which consent is considered withdrawn and data is deleted or anonymized unless renewed.
10.6 Your Rights as a Data Subject
Under GDPR, you have the right to:
Access your data (Art. 15)
Rectify inaccurate data (Art. 16)
Erasure (“right to be forgotten”) (Art. 17)
Restrict processing (Art. 18)
Data portability (Art. 20)
Object to processing for direct marketing or based on legitimate interests (Art. 21)
Withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing
Lodge a complaint with the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante per la protezione dei dati personali, www.garanteprivacy.it)
To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@epochwine.it. We will respond within one month.
10.7 Security Measures
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no internet transmission is 100% secure.
SECTION 11: COOKIE POLICY (SUMMARY)
We use cookies to enhance functionality, analyze traffic, and deliver personalized content and advertising. By continuing to use the site, you consent to our use of cookies unless you have set your browser to reject them. Detailed information is available in our dedicated Cookie Policy accessible via the cookie banner.
SECTION 12: MISCELLANEOUS
12.1 Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire and exclusive understanding between you and the Owner regarding the Service and supersedes all prior agreements, whether written or oral.
12.2 Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
12.3 No Waiver: Our failure to enforce any right or provision shall not be deemed a waiver of such right or provision.
12.4 Assignment: You may not assign or transfer this Agreement without our prior written consent. We may assign this Agreement without restriction.
12.5 Contact: For any questions, legal notices, or requests, please contact us at:
General inquiries: info@epochwine.it
Privacy matters: privacy@epochwine.it
Copyright issues: copyright@epochwine.it
Certified email (PEC): michele.bottelli@pec.it
By using Epoch, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by this Agreement.