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Although Casa Vinicola Zonin’s wines have been available in the United States for less than a decade, the company has a history of producing quality wines dating back to 1821.
Headquartered in Italy, the Zonin (pronounced “zo-neen”) brand is now making its mark in Ohio, but still keeping the business family based. Gianni Zonin, the company’s president and chairman, recently earned a notable lifetime achievement award.
“They are very family oriented,” Tony Lozano, Trade Marketing Manager for Zonin USA, said. “Right from the start it became a household name in Italy for quality wine.”
Casa Vinicola Zonin owns nine vineyards in Italy and one in Barboursville, VA. The range of estates lets the company focus on regional and indigenous varietals.
Lozano said the company is beginning to focus on several estates’ products to market in Ohio. The Southern Italian brands are of particular interest due to their price point and interest in the region’s wines. Most of the winery’s brands are distributed in Ohio with the exception of Rocca di Montemassi.
Helping make Moscato a best seller
The company has already made significant strides in the U.S. market. In 2008, the company was behind the “Moscato madness” push to make Moscato—a sweeter, lower-alcohol wine—more recognizable.
“Moscato was less popular; some had the idea it could be a bigger seller,” Lozano said. “We’ve been able to grow the Moscato line.”
The company partnered with an Italian chain in the United States to sell Moscato Castello del Poggio. With a strong presence in all 50 states, the wine quickly gained national attention.
In 2014, the company will be focusing on Prosecco, Feudo Principi di Butera, Masseria Altemura, Rocca di Montemassi and Castello d’Albola.
Wines Earn Accolades in the United States
The company has garnered several notable awards in the United States.
In January, Gianni Zonin – chairman and president of Casa Vinicola Zonin – was presented with the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by at Wine Enthusiast’s Annual Wine Star Awards Gala Dinner in New York.
“It’s something people don’t usually equate: quality with large companies,”
Lozano said. “We are very large Italian winery. Large, but we’ve made great strides in continuing to produce quality products.”
The company’s wines have earned numerous awards from bronze to double gold, at the San Diego International Wine Competition, the San Francisco International Wine Competition, the Indy International Wine Competition and the Ultimate Wine Challenge in New York City. They also earned the Impact Hot Brand Award for 2012 and 2013.
Zonin’s Chief Agronomist, Carlo De Biasi received The Drinks Business 2013 Green Personality of the Year Award.
“But the most important award has been the 2013 Wine Enthusiast Lifetime Achievement Award for Gianni Zonin,” Lozano said. “It’s an honor to be recognized for producing 50 vintages of high quality wines.”
