Zonin

ZONIN IS THE NAME OF ITALY’S LARGEST FAMILY-OWNED AND PRIVATE VINE GROWING WINE COMPANY IN ITALY, AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT IN EUROPE. CELEBRATING THE DIVERSITY OF ITALIAN WINE FROM ITALY’S MAJOR WINE REGIONS, THE ZONIN FAMILY HAS BEEN CONNECTED TO THE WORLD OF WINE SINCE 1821, WITH ROOTS IN GAMBELLARA, IN THE HEART OF THE VENETO REGION.

LEFT: Zonin cellars at Gambellara, Italy

RIGHT: From left to right - Francesco Zonin, Vicepresident of ZONIN1821, Gianni Zonin, President, Domenico Zonin, CEO and Michele Zonin, Vice President. LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST OF ITALY, close to the sea, the Zonin vineyards enjoy a continental climate, which is mitigated by the sea breeze from the Adriatic and by air currents from the nearby Alps. The soil is originally sand-clay flood plain with pebbly vains, which allows for natural water drainage and it is this climate that produces the exceptional Prosecco Zonin is renowned for.

At the end of the 1960s, Gianni Zonin joined the family company, becoming President at age 29. Since then, the company has grown year on year. From initially joining the company, Gianni Zonin had a vision of how to bring the winery to its current state by purchasing Italian estates and vineyards with high wine-making potential, on the production of high-quality wines and on a new and modern sales and marketing plan to deal with the many demands and requirements of the market.

Therefore, in the early 1970s the company began acquiring wineries in order to produce quality wines with their own grapes. Considered a wine industry pioneer, Gianni Zonin was honoured with the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Wine Enthusiast magazine for his overall contribution to the wine industry.

His three sons Domenico, Francesco and Michele have been working at the company for over a decade and are ready for the challenge of successfully continuing the family business, with an innovative and modern vision and strengthening the values which have always defined the philosophy of Zonin. Since joining the company in 1999 Domenico Zonin, Gianni’s eldest son, has taken on many leadership roles and he continues to drive the family-owned estates and vineyards forward. By end of 2014, Domenico was appointed Chief Executive Officer.

This terrain of the Zonin vineyards provides intense aromatic notes to their Prosecco. After Glera grape harvest time, the must is obtained by very soft pressing of solely Glera grapes, then 50 per cent undergoes an initial fermentation at a controlled temperature of 18°C (64°F) while the remaining 50 per cent is stored at 0°(32°F) as unfermented must. They are then assembled and transferred into pressurised stainless steel tanks where the wine is made sparkling using the traditional Charmat method.

Prosecco 1821 has become the bestselling prosecco in Italy, the US, Australia and Germany and the keys of its success are multiple: Prosecco Zonin is always delighting and fresh thanks to a special production method. It can be considered a quintessential Venetian wine, with its fruit-driven and palate-cleansing taste. Zonin Prosecco is produced in an area influenced by the warm Adriatic currents and cool breezes funneling down from the Alps, creating an idyllic environment for preserving acidity and aroma.

Prosecco Zonin is the ideal wine for many occasions from aperitif to celebration, from Italian food to sushi or as a great cocktail base especially when combined with seasonal fresh fruit. ❧