Italian Wine Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 2171 Cameron Jones interviews Alessia C. Travaglini | Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 2171 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Stevie Kim’s Ambassadors’ Corner on Clubhouse. In this episode Cameron Jones interviews Alessia C. Travaglini from the historic Travaglini winery of Gattinara in Piemonte, northwestern Italy.

Today’s learning objectives:

listeners will gain insights into how Travaglini balances tradition with innovation, the unique terroir of Gattinara, and the winery’s adaptations to climate change. They'll also learn about the impact of recent investments on Travaglini’s approach, Alessia’s future vision for the winery, and her deep personal connection to Italian wine culture. To top it all off, Alessia shares her favorite wine-pairing comfort food, her first memory tasting wine, and a beloved Italian proverb that captures her family's winemaking philosophy. Expect a mix of inspiration, knowledge, and some fun along the way!

Co-Moderator – Cameron Jones

Cameron spent his first 25 professional years as an investment banker in London, Sydney, Mumbai, and Singapore before moving to France in 2017 and embarking on his second career. He completed the Chef de Cuisine Diploma at Cordon Bleu in 2018. He then turned his focus to the wine industry completing the WSET Diploma and soon after became a certified WSET educator.

He was based in the Cru Beaujolais village of Saint-Amour since 2019 and has just returned to live in Australia and has just been accepted into the Master of Wine program.

He is a professional wine judge at various wine competitions across Europe. He is a Valpolicella Educator, Barolo and Barbaresco Ambassador, Sherry Educator and now a Vinitaly Italian Wine Ambassador.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bojo_bonvivant/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-jones-76416815/

Guests Bio – Alessia C. Travaglini

Alessia was born and raised in the little city of Gattinara, surrounded by nature, hills covered by beautiful vineyards and the crisp air of a small town whose business revolves around two things: Lavazza coffee and food and wine.

From a young age, her future was quite clear: to follow in the footsteps of her parents and previous generations. In fact, she based her academic career on this, studying economics, a master's degree in Wine Business Management and sommelier courses. In 2019 she joined the family business and immediately took care of export and business relationships and some organizational and operational restructuring in other areas.

Connect:

Facebook:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travaglinigattinara and https://www.instagram.com/alessia_collauto_travaglini/

Website: https://www.travaglinigattinara.com/en-gb

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Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Follow Italian Wine Podcast for more great content – winery interviews from the Clubhouse sessions!

Psssst…FYI this show is our most popular show, find out why by tuning-in!

Ep. 2170 Valentina Todino | Wine, Food & Travel With Marc Millon Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to episode 2170 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 167 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Marc’s guest today is Valentina Todino. Valentina is Marc’s Italian teacher (for the past 20 years or more), is originally from the province of Avellino in Campania, and has a great knowledge and love of her area. In this episode they talk about life, wine and food in Irpinia (Avellino and Benevento) and also about life, wine and food in general in Campania.

More about today’s guest:

Valentina Todino is Honorary Associate Research Fellow for the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures (MLC) and MA in Applied Translation, at University of Exeter (UoE), following her BA Hons in Modern Foreign Languages at the University of Rome, La Sapienza.

Being herself a migrant to the UK since 2002, her interest has focused on migration and translation of identity for several years. Since 2017, she worked on a project called Transcultural Devon. This draws inspiration from her central role of community connector, especially within the Italian diaspora as founder of the Italian Cultural Association Exeter, but more in general within the whole international and migrant community based in Devon.

As a believer in praxis and inspired by her will to continue her research into migration issues, she decided to build first-hand experience of working with asylum seekers and refugees. Alongside her independent research role, she is now become Drop-in and Events coordinator for the charity Refugee Support Devon.

Valentina Alba Todino was born in Italy, were she remembers spending many Sundays in her uncle’s backyard, under a roof of grapevines, singing along all the cliche Neapolitan songs that you can think of, accompanied by an accordion and some dancing too, depending on the quantity of wine offered by the host. She always had a keen interest in music, so she started learning some jazz standards from a friend double bass player in her twenties and then went on to folk music, by singing in an amateurs’ local bands, when still in Italy. After moving to this country, she had a long break from singing until she became co-founder of southern Italian folk band Trikkeballakke, inspired by the traditions of Tarantelle, especially Tammurriate and Pizziche. Her research interest in music in migration has led her to meet many talented local artists and she enjoys occasional jam sessions with them and some gigs too, including some collaboration with Spanish, Latin American, Kurdish, Mexican musicians and many more.

Connect

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italian_association_exeter/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianCultureExeter

More about the host Marc Millon:

Connect:

Website:

https://www.quaypress.uk

https://www.marcmillon.co.uk

https://www.vino.co.uk

https://www.quaypress.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-millon-50868624/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Marc_Millon

Ep. 2169 Jessica Dupuy interviews Shelley Lindgren | TexSom 2024 Nov 25, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 2169, in which Jessica Dupuy interviews Shelley Lindgren live from TEXSOM 2024! Shelley is an award-winning restaranter and writer based in San Francisco.

Join us as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this renowned event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry.

More about today’s guest:

Shelley Lindgren is the wine director and founder of San Francisco’s A16 restaurant, established in 2004 with locations in Oakland, SF Ferry Building, and Japan. She has won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Program and the 2023 Slow Wine Fair International Award for Best Italian Wine Selection. Knighted by the Italian government, she received the "Cavaliere dell’Ordine Della Stella Italia" distinction. Her third book, Italian Wine, was published in August 2023. Shelley co-founded Tansy Wines in 2021, focusing on Italian varietals and organic vineyards. She’s featured in top publications and serves on several boards. Shelley lives in San Francisco with her husband, two sons, and a border collie.

Connect:

Website: https://www.a16pizza.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelleylindgren/?hl=en

More about today’s host:

Jessica Dupuy covers wine, spirits, and travel from Austin, Texas. She holds a Diploma with the Wine & Spirit Educatiol Trust, is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators. Dupuy’s work has appeared in Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Imbibe, Texas Monthly, Forbes, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, VinePair, and Southern Living. She recently published, The Wines of Southwest USA in addition to six regional cookbooks. She also co-hosts podcast, Another Bottle Down.

Connect:

Website: www.jessicadupuy.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessicandupuy

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jessicandupuy

Ep. 2168 McKenna Cassidy interviews Marc Pfitscher of Cantina Girlan | The Next Generation Nov 24, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2168 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today McKenna Cassidy interviews Marc Pfitscher of Cantina Girlan. Marc shares his experience in how to grow wineries through marketing and how to increase sales through effective strategies from his years of expertise.

More about today’s guest:

As a results-driven sales and marketing specialist, Marc Pfitscher brings a wealth of expertise in creating and implementing a broad set of projects, strongly focusing on brand growth and visibility for Cantina Girlan. Pfitscher gained professional experience at wineries such as Corte Pavone in Montalcino and Tenuta Pfitscher as well as at the Research Centre Laimburg in Alto Adige. He collected further experience in sales at Austria’s largest wine merchant Wein&Co., before joining Cantina Girlan in 2018. Since 2018, he has been Vice President of the Concorso Nazionale del Pinot Nero, a national Pinot Noir competition in which more than 120 wines from all over Italy and around 700 wine lovers take part every year. Marc Pfitscher holds a Master’s degree from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, where he graduated in oenology and then in agricultural economics. There, he expanded his academic horizons with a year-long stay at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Born in 1992 in Bolzano, Pfitscher speaks three languages (German, English and Italian) and is a sports and nature enthusiast. He is particularly passionate about skiing and ski mountaineering in the Dolomites as well as playing soccer for his hometown’s club. (Bio Courtesy of Maze Row Wine Merchant)

Connect:

Website: https://www.girlan.it/en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantina_girlan/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-pfitscher-68ba7812b/

More about the host:

McKenna found her love of wine while serving in a Napa Valley tasting room. She later graduated from the University of Notre Dame and pursued wine on the East Coast with E. & J. Gallo Winery. She has worked in wine distribution for restaurants and luxury retail stores for the past three years.

Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, McKenna is a Certified Specialist of Wine (2021), Certified Sommelier (2022), and Italian Wine Ambassador (2023).

She loves country swing dancing, hosting brunch parties, and sipping Italian Wine.

Connect:

Facebook @mckennacassidy

Instagram @mckennacassidy

LinkedIn McKenna Cassidy

Website Youtube: McKenna Cassidy

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Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Ep. 2167 Vincenzo Russo Makes Spaghetti with Sardines | On The Road With Stevie Kim Nov 23, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 2167 of On The Road Edition with Stevie Kim. Today Stevie’s guest is Vincenzo Russo, Professor and Researcher at IULM University in Milan. On today’s episode Vincenzo talks Stevie through a typical Sicilian recipe for ‘pasta con le sarde a mare’ for under 5 euros in Cefalù, Sicily.

More about today’s guest:

Vincenzo Russo is an expert in neuromarketing and consumer behavior and serves as the Coordinator of the Research Center on Neuromarketing, *Behavior and Brain LabIULM*, at IULM University. With extensive experience in the field, he has made significant contributions to both academic research and the practical application of neuromarketing techniques.

Vincenzo is the author of several influential works, including *Psicologia della Comunicazione e Neuromarketing* (2017, Pearson), *Psicologia dei Consumi* (2013, McGraw-Hill), and *Neuroscienze a Tavola* (2020, Guerini). He is also an editor for *Frontiers in Psychology*, where he oversees a Research Topic on Neuromanagement and Neuromarketing.

Since 2008, Vincenzo has been deeply involved in neuromarketing research and practice. Through the *Behavior and Brain LabIULM* and his dedicated team, he collaborates with clients, vendors, and industry associations to enhance communication and marketing strategies using a neuroscientific approach.

Connect:

Instagram: vincenzorussomipa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincenzorussoiulm/

Website: https://www.iulm.it/it/iulm/ateneo/docenti-e-collaboratori/russo-vincenzo

More about the host Stevie Kim:

Stevie Kim hosts Clubhouse sessions each week (visit Italian Wine Club & Wine Business on Clubhouse), these recorded sessions are then released on the podcast to immortalize them! She often also joins Professor Scienza in his shows to lend a hand keeping our Professor in check! You can also find her taking a hit for the team when she goes “On the Road”, all over the Italian countryside, visiting wineries and interviewing producers, enjoying their best food and wine – all in the name of bringing us great Pods!

Connect:

Social Links: https://zaap.bio/steviekim

Website: https://www.vinitaly.com/eventi/operawine/stevie-kim/

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Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Remember to follow us!! - Travel Italy, food and wine, winery visits and so much more!

Ep. 2166 Manuela Clarizia | Everybody Needs A Bit Of Scienza Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 2166 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professo Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way! These shows are generally in the Italian language.

Today’s question about vegan wine comes from Manuela Clarizia.

Today’s question:

Is there a scientific definition of vegan wine? How is it produced? Historically, did any population produce vegan wine?

Esiste una definizione scientifica di vino vegano? Come viene prodotto? È stato storicamente prodotto da qualche popolazione?

More about Professor Scienza:

Professor Atillio Scienza is the one who checks all the facts and regulates when we mistakenly type “Verdicchio” instead of “Vermentino.” He is a full professor at the University of Milan in the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences where he teaches courses on genetic improvements to the vine; he also teaches Viticulture in the Master’s program of the University of Turin in Asti. He has been the lead for many national research projects in the field of physiology, agricultural techniques, and vine genetics. As the author of over 350 publications on vine and viticulture in national and international journals, you can bet he knows his stuff!

To find out more about Attilio Scienza visit:

https://www.vinitaly.com/formazione/vinitaly-international-academy/attilio-scienza/

_______________________________

Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Share your love for our lovely Professor if you are a true Italian Wine Geek :)

Ep. 2165 Anna Obuhovskaya interviews Graziano Nicosia | Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 2165 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Stevie Kim’s Ambassadors’ Corner on Clubhouse. In this episode Anna Obuhovskaya interviews Graziano Nicosia from the historic Tenute Nicosia winery in the Etna region of Sicily.

Today’s learning objectives:

To discuss and understand factors of quality for Etna Bianco wines and perspectives of these wines on markets outside of Italy.

Co-Moderator – Anna Obuhovskaya

Anna has 15 years of experience in wine retail, marketing & sales. She worked in a number of large wine importing companies and independent projects, and founded the Italian Wine Tasting Club in Saint Petersburg, Russia. In 2023 she became an Italian Wine Ambassador. Driven by passion for European wines she moved from Saint Petersburg to the charm of Slovenia. Currently holding the position of a portfolio development and sales specialist at Dobro Vino, a wine importing company in Ljubljana.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wine_it_anna

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-obuhovskaya-0a4789261/

Website: https://www.dobrovino.si/

Guests Bio – Graziano Nicosia

A native of Catania, Graziano represents the fifth generation of one of Sicily’s most important wine-producing families, cultivating vineyards on Mount Etna since 1898. From a young age, he immersed himself in the world of winemaking, witnessing firsthand the growth of the family business. At 25, he joined the company full-time, working closely with his father, Carmelo, and his older brother, Francesco. Early in his career, he traveled extensively with the company’s export managers, quickly realizing the immense global potential of Sicilian wines and the Etna brand. Since 2018, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Etna DOC Consortium, initially serving as Vice President and now focusing on the development of metodo classico (traditional method) sparkling wines. Deeply committed to the growth of metodo classico on Etna, he is dedicated to enhancing its distinctive qualities and establishing it as a hallmark of Etna’s winemaking identity. Passionate about Sicilian native grape varieties, particularly Nerello Mascalese and Carricante for Etna wines, and Frappato for Vittoria. He is dedicated to reviving Sicily’s ancient winemaking traditions, rooted in myth, while promoting Sicily as a cradle of civilization and a meeting point for diverse Mediterranean cultures.

Connect:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cantinenicosia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicosiawinery/

Twitter: https://x.com/nicosiawinery/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cantine-nicosia

Website: https://www.tenutenicosia.it/en

_______________________________

Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Follow Italian Wine Podcast for more great content – winery interviews from the Clubhouse sessions!

Psssst…FYI this show is our most popular show, find out why by tuning-in!

Ep. 2164 InHaeng Jung | Voice with Cynthia Chaplin Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 2164, in which Cynthia Chaplin interviews InHaeng Jung in this installment of Voices on the Italian Wine Podcast. InHaeng Jung is an assistant professor in Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. In this episode of Voices InHaeng talks about her challenges and triumphs as an Asian woman in the international wine industry.

About today’s guest:

InHaeng Jung is an Assistant Professor at Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute, within the School of Business and Economics. Specializing in brand management and the marketing of spirits, beer, and wine, her research focuses on sustainability and consumer food choices, particularly how these choices affect both environmental and social aspects of food systems. At Sonoma State, she has developed courses in wine marketing, sustainability, and hospitality for both undergraduate and MBA students. She founded the Grape Expectations Research Lab to integrate academic study with industry practice, providing students with practical research opportunities and preparing them for successful careers. InHaeng is also an active traveler and wine lover with a Level 3 WSET certificate.

Connect:

Website: https://business.sonoma.edu/winebiz/grape-expectations-research-lab

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inhaeng-noah-jung/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inhaeng.jung

About today’s Host:

VIA certified Italian Wine Ambassador and sommelier with FIS, Cynthia Chaplin is a professor of Italian Wine and Culture, with 20 years experience in the wine industry. Cynthia is a wine content creator, author and judge for several international wine competitions. She designs and presents events for embassies, corporate and private clients, develops Italian wine collections for restaurants and private clients and works with Italian wineries to train their sales and export staff. Hosting Voices has increased her commitment to DEI in the wine sector, interviewing emerging and established wine professionals and discussing topics such as inclusivity, equity, language, sustainability and challenges facing under-represented groups and cultures as they move into careers in wine. As a certified WSET Educator, Cynthia is passionate about developing wine education for a future that will have a place at the table for anyone interested in wine.

Connect:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Italian-Wines-in-English/100036868372598/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiss_my_glassx/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-chaplin-190647179/

_______________________________

Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Share this pod! Remember Voices is all about diversity, equity, and heart-warming personal stories about real people!

Ep. 2163 Marco Schiavo of Distilleria Schiavo | Wine, Food & Travel With Marc Millon Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to episode 2163 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 166 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Marc’s guest today is Marco Schiavo of Distilleria Schiavo in the Vicenza region of Veneto in northeastern Italy. Amongst other things, they discuss the history of the family-owned grappa distillery, the secrets behind the production process, how grappa is appealing to a new generation of consumers, and some delicious food pairings. Warning: this show will leave you feeling hungry and thirsty!

More about today’s guest:

Marco Schiavo is the fifth-generation of distiller at the Distilleria Schiavo in the Vicenza region of Veneto in northeastern Italy. The distillery has been producing high quality grappa, liquors and vodka since 1887. Marco has been working for the family business since 1998.

Connect

Website: https://www.schiavograppa.com/en/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/distilleria_schiavo/

More about the host Marc Millon:

Marc Millon, VIA Italian Wine Ambassador 2021, has been travelling, eating, drinking, learning and writing about wine, food and travel for nearly 40 years. Born in Mexico, with a mother from Hawaii via Korea and an anthropologist father from New York via Paris, he was weaned on exotic and delicious foods. Marc and his photographer wife Kim are the authors of 14 books including a pioneering series of illustrated wine-food-travel books: The Wine Roads of Europe, The Wine Roads of France, The Wine Roads of Italy (Premio Barbi Colombini), and The Wine Roads of Spain. Other titles include The Wine and Food of Europe, The Food Lovers’ Companion Italy, The Food Lovers’ Companion France, Wine, a global history. Marc regularly lectures and hosts gastronomic cultural tours to Italy and France with Martin Randall Travel, the UK’s leading cultural travel specialist. He has also been the host of the ‘Wine, food and travel with Marc Millon’ series on the Italian Wine Podcast since 2021. When not on the road Marc lives on the River Exe in Devon, England.

Connect:

https://www.quaypress.uk

https://www.marcmillon.co.uk

https://www.vino.co.uk

https://www.quaypress.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-millon-50868624/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Marc_Millon

_______________________________

Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Thanks for listening! This show is all about food and wine pairings, and traveling through Italy with Marc. Join him on this food, wine and cultural journey!

Ep. 2162 Michael Traverso | Masterclass US Wine Market With Barbara Fitzgerald Nov 18, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to Episode 2162 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of Masterclass US Wine Market, host Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Michael Traverso, Vice President of Business Development at the iconic wine importer Wilson Daniels. In this episode Barbara and Michael discuss In this episode, Barbara talks to Michael about his insights working for a leading importer and wholesaler of high quality wines and spirits. They also dive deep into his experience in working with family-owned producers worldwide, especially Italy, and learn how this team really adapts to shifting market’s dynamics in maintaining the company’s commitment to long-term partnerships.

More about today’s guest: Michael Traverso

Michael Traverso serves as Vice President of Business Development at the iconic wine importer Wilson Daniels. Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration & Marketing from University of Southern California, and earned a Sensory Evaluation of Wine Certificati on from University of California, Davis. Joining Wilson Daniels in 2016 as a Senior Brand Manager and Director of Italian Estates, Michael was instrumental in growing the Wilson Daniels Italian portfolio. He was rehired in 2021 as the Director of E-Commerce & Portfolio Development and was promoted to his current role as Vice President in 2022.

A Sonoma County native, Michael’s passion for food and Italian culture began at a very young age while working at his family’s retail grocery store. Michael’s wide range of interests include cooking, collecting wine and rare whiskey, traveling, gardening, hiking, and swimming. He recently completed his Business Law Certification through Cornell University.

Connect:

Website: www.wilsondaniels.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traversostyle/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traversomichael/

More about today’s host: Barbara Fitzgerald

With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara specializes in D2C marketing and business development. She's led roles from entry level to senior management, combining her extensive experience with data analysis, critical thinking and storytelling while driving revenue growth and brand recognition for California wineries. As a part of the 4th generation of an Italian-American family among the California wine industry pioneers, Barbara has spent her life around wine growing, production, marketing, distribution and hospitality. A Syracuse University graduate, she returned to California to gain diverse industry perspectives from a range of wineries. As an Italian Wine Ambassador, she brings her expertise to the Italian wine market, known for its authenticity and consumer demand. Barbara now runs Apri La Creative Consulting, coaching wineries in Italy and the US to strategically develop their D2C channels in line with their brand values. Together with her husband, Barbara also owns and operates a boutique wine production company, and a small import company specializing in Italian wines to the US.

Connect:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/aprilabottiglia

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fitzgerald-iwa/

Website: www.aprilacreative.com

_______________________________

Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast

Twitter: www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast

If you feel like helping us, donate here: www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Tune-in and hit the like! - Business, US Market advice, importing, exporting, business, personal stories and advice, plus she is very fun to listen to!

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