Zonin gears up for UK debut – meet the winemakers

Italian wine producer Zonin will host its first UK portfolio tasting in the City of London next week.

Titled “Uncork the Summer”, the portfolio tasting on 19 June will include wines from estates such as Castello di Albola, Rocca di Montemassi, Masseria Altemura and Principi di Butera, and is to be hosted by a the producer’s team of winemakers at Stationer’s Hall.

In addition to the walk around tasting, the winery will also host a masterclass featuring the wines of Zonin’s new Chilean venture, Dos Almas.

The masterclass will start at 7pm, and be lead by chief winemaker Stefano Ferrante. Details on how to book your place can be found here.

We got in touch with the brand to find out more about their seasoned winemakers.

Alessandro Gallo, director of Castello di Albola & Rocca di Montemassi

Alessandro Gallo was born in 1971 in Piedmont, northern Italy.

After studying at the Oenological School Umberto I in Alba, he graduated with a chemistry degree in Turin in 1997.Gallo started out as a laboratory  analyst in the Dezzani’s farm and then he became the technical director.

Since 2004 he has been the manager of Castello di Albola and he has been living with his family in the ancient donjon which dates back the 12th century. In 2015, he joined Rocca di Montemassi as a technical director in Maremma.

“I strongly believe that being a winemaker today does not just mean being in the cellar,” he said, “but also consists of carefully following all aspects of the production chain, from vineyard management to research, from environmental sustainability to sales, from promotion to hospitality.”

Antonio Cavello: Director or Masseria Altemura

Antonio Cavallo was born in Grottaglie (in the province of Taranto) on 19th January 1972, just a few kilometres away from the estate.

In November 2004 he joined the Zonin family’s technical staff and was assigned to run Masseria Altemura, looking after both the viticultural and oenological
areas.

His dream is for the Masseria Altemura estate to express the potential of Apulian winemaking to the full, with a production philosophy based on highlighting the qualities of indigenous grape varieties and on having total control over the production process that lies behind the quality of the wines.

“It is exciting to work in my native land,” Antonio said, “in an ancient masseria from Salento, in the commune of Santa Susana, a place that has recovered its splendor and continuous activity, after planting the vineyards and following the restoration of the buildings.”