Donne del Vino - Women of Wine

Camilla Lunelli Brings Passion and an Exciting World View to Cantine Ferrari

Matteo Lunelli (Ferrari’s CEO), Camilla Lunelli (Director External Relations), and Marcello Lunelli (winemaker)

After over 100 years, about time I would say, the renowned Cantine Ferrari and the Lunelli Group has the intuition and worldly vision of an accomplished woman among their top executives.

Since its founding in 1902 Ferrari has grown from a vineyard in Trentiono to producing some of the world's best sparkling wines and mineral water Surgiva, Lunelli still wines, Segnana grappa and wines at  Tenuta Podernovo in Tuscany, and Tenuta Castelbuono, in Umbria.

Like many children of great Italian wine families in her generation, Camilla's path back to the wine took an impressive route, through university, the world of finance and business consulting, in Paris and New York, and then significant humanitarian work with United Nations Program for Development in Africa. But love of family and passion for the wine drew her home.

Here is more about her story…

Elisabetta Musto Carmelitano, Makes Beautiful Wine, Azienda Agricola Musto Carmelitano, Potenza, Basilicata, Italy

There is no doubt that great wines begin with love, and some good fortune from nature.  It is obvious that  Elisabetta Musto Carmelitano has the first in abundance, she also has the  benefit of the wonderful terrior that nature has set in Basilicata.

But we know it takes a lot more than that to make a great wine. And even more to make many great wines as Elisabetta has done so well.

We've loved her Aglianico Vino Rosso and  Aglianico del Vulture Serra del Prete.

Natalie Oliveros an Ardent Advocate of Italian Wine, La Fiorita, Montalcino, Italy

Unlike many women in  the Italian wine industry, Natalie Oliveros did not grow up in the fields, yet her love and gusto for Italian wine is no less intense. I had the fine opportunity of meeting Natalie and enjoying the wines that she and very accomplished wine maker Roberto Cipresso produce at  La Fiorita in Montalcino, Italy.

Maria Carella, Creates Beautiful Wines, Cantine Nicosia, Catania, Sicily

Nicosia winery has a long and rich family wine making tradition, they have a reverence for rural customs, but also a sharp eye for the contemporary and the future. Their commitment to renewal and creativity brought enologist Maria Carella to Nicosia 8 years ago. Her youthful energy along with others like agronomist Alessandro Lo Genco have much to do with the fine quality and delightful enjoyment we find in Nicosia’s wines. Of course the great vines and fabulous Sicilian soil and climate do add much too.

We enjoyed these wines at a unique tasting a few weeks ago, Vino e Cioccolato, Now that is a Beautiful Pairing, and hope to see them again soon.

Cristina Ziliani, Berlucchi, Spreading the Joy of Franciacorta

(Photo ©Tom Hyland)

Cristina Ziliani, Head of Public Relations, Communications and Image for the esteemed Berlucchi winery founded by Guido Berlucchi and and her father Franco Zilian. Berlucchi has become synonymous with classic method sparkling wine in Italy that rivals the French.

Overcoming the fact that “marketing is a word that scares the world of wine, there is a rural culture, as if the quality and aesthetic-emotional thinking about how to sell it were not compatible.” Cristina has been very effective in spreading the joy of Franciacorta.

We are so happy as without her we may have never had the opportunity to taste this wonderful wine.  Another Italian Sparkler Berlucchi Cuvee '61 Brut.

Nadia Zenato Carries on a Family Passion and Tradition

In the early 1980’s when I was first beginning to discover the vast and diverse beauty of Italian white wines, I came across a spectacular wine that remains a favorite to this day. It was a Trebbiano called Lugana di San Benedetto from a vineyard in Veneto called Zenato that I have come to love. It was a totally new experience and a sign of many great things to come. Since then we have tasted and written about so many wonderful “Vino Biancos.”

Nadia and her brother Alberto now run this storied winery, founded by their parents Sergio and Carla Zenato in a beautiful region that surrounds Lake Garda. Sergio and Carla had a vision produce to  wines of exceptional quality that are true to the region but also affordable. Over the years Nadia and Alberto have preserved and built upon this vision receiving highest praise from the wine experts through out the world.

Elisabetta Geppetti, Fattoria Le Pupille, Maremma, Tuscany

Elisabetta Geppetti (foto: Tatge)

In the early 80's when Elisabetta Geppetti set out to create great wine the Maremma region was not yet the darling of wine makers and wine lovers that it is today.  Maybe it was her youth, or a special vision of what could be, she forged on undaunted.

Her first harvest was in 1985, she was just 20. It was a great sign of things to come. Almost 30 years and many wonderful vintages later, Elisabetta has much to smile about.

Chiara Soldati, fifth generation of the La Scolca Winery, Gavi, Piemonte

 

Founded in 1919, La Scolca vineyard made a bold move after WWII and began producing only quality wine becoming the first  producer of quality Gavi that later would be known as one of  the most historic white wine producers in Italy.  Today, Chiara Soldati, continues that tradition of great wine with her father  Giorgio, the founder’s great-grandson.

Cortese the grape of Gavi was produced as a low-alcohol, thin and sour wines that was sold to other producers as a base for sparkling wines.  The Soldatis  pioneered modern, controlled winemaking that allowed the  subtle fruit of the Cortese grape to become the beautiful and coveted wine that it is today .

Women Pull Corks as Female Sommeliers Take Over Cellars

Sommeliers Alessandra Veronesi, Vanessa Cinti and Estelle Touzet. They work, respectively, for the Principe e Savoia in Milan, Wolfgang Puck's Cut steakhouse in London at Park 45 Hotel, and Le Meurice in Paris, all part of The Dorchester Collection Hotel Group.

By John Mariani  Writing for via Bloomberg Apr 14, 2013

Not long ago sommeliers fell into two stereotypes: the overbearing yet aloof Frenchman, and the overly effusive American uttering “killer cabernet” and “awesome viognier.” 

Thankfully, times are changing, as more and more women are stepping into what was overwhelming a male domain. Women are now even being found in European cellars.  More

Susannah Gold, wine writer, publicist and certified Italian sommelier, writes about Italian Women in Wine

Susannah Gold is a wine writer, publicist and certified Italian sommelier.  Her firm Vigneto Communications, a boutique public relations, marketing and educational consulting firm, has been very instrumental in bring many great wines to the American public.

 Her blog Avvinare covers great women in wine on a regular basis, Women in Wine Fridays, and I wanted to share this article on Donatella Cinelli Colombini  one of the leading women in wine, a fabulous marketing expert, a lover of art and an incredible source of great Brunello. 

Susannah "had the pleasure of meeting her again in January during Benvenuto Brunello in New York. I found her as interesting eight years later as I did that first time in November 2005." More

Donatella Cinelli Colombini holding Sangiovese

Veuve Clicquot World's Best Female Chef 2013 Nadia Santini of Dal Pescatore, Mantua, Lombardy IT

IT'S THE BEST ITALIAN CHEF WOMAN OF THE YEAR Fine Wine is nothing without fine cuisine.

From Le Donne del Vino  Italian Nadia Santini was voted woman of the year best Chef globally.

The Vicenza-based restaurateur, who with his son Giovanni restaurant cuisine guide Dal Pescatore, in the province of Mantua, and was voted by a panel of 900 international operators called to choose the Veuve Clicquot World's Best Female Chef 2013.

The justification stresses that it is "for years at the helm of a culinary dynasty like that of Holy cards with competence, simplicity and professionalism".

Nadia Santini will collect the award on 29 April in London as part of the World's 50 Best Restaurant Awards. In 1996 had already become the first Italian woman to receive 3 Michelin stars.

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