 In 1280 Bonifacio Asinari, a rich merchant from Asti, left his wealth to his children, Bonifacio and Tommaso, who subsequently became the owners of San Marzano.In 1771, Philip Valentino Asinari became the first Marquis of San Marzano and Caraglio; his son Filippo Maria Antonio became a State Councilor, sent by Napoleon Bonaparte as ambassador to Berlin.In 1808 he became a Count of the Empire, and then in 1813 a senator and regent of Piedmont.