Tenuta San Guido
Iconic Tuscan Winery
Tenuta San Guido is a renowned winery in Bolgheri, Tuscany, best known for creating Sassicaia, a pioneer of the Super Tuscan movement. Founded by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, the estate introduced Bordeaux-style blends to a region once overlooked for fine wine. Spanning over 2,500 hectares, its vineyards thrive on stony, well-drained soils ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Sassicaia, the flagship wine, is the only Italian wine with its own DOC: Bolgheri Sassicaia. The estate also focuses on environmental conservation and thoroughbred horse breeding. In 2000, Tenuta San Guido launched Guidalberto as a more approachable Bordeaux-style wine, followed by Le Difese in 2002, blending Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines broaden the estate’s portfolio while upholding its high standards.
Niccolo Marzichi Lenzi
Owner: Tenuta di Biserno
Niccolò was born and raised on a traditional Tuscan farm near Florence, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. As the son of Ilaria Antinori—sister to renowned winemakers Piero and Lodovico Antinori—his path in the wine industry seemed inevitable, though his true passion emerged later. It was during his adolescence in France that a chance encounter with a bottle of 1982 Haut-Brion from his mother’s cellar, paired with pizza, sparked his lifelong dedication to wine. From that moment, he sought experience in every facet of the industry, embracing its endless depth.
Shortly after turning 21, Niccolò joined his uncles in founding Tenuta di Biserno, helping to establish the brand in global markets. Since 2014, he has served as its managing director, overseeing operations and key markets, including a recent focus on the USA.
Giovanna Moretti
Owner: Sette Ponti, Feudo Maccari, and Santo Spirito
Much like her brother Dr. Antonio Moretti, Giovanna Moretti has grown up steeped in the rich history and culture of Tuscany. After studying Italian and Foreign Literature, Giovanna graduated from Siena University, a school that chose her thanks to her profound passion for writing and reading literature. Though the Moretti family’s activities range from fashion to wine production, the common thread that binds them together is a love of good taste and elegance. Business is sewn together with personal interests such that work becomes seamlessly joined with passion. This has helped the Moretti family’s unique achievements and great success.
After her studies, Giovanna worked for the Florence office of the esteemed auction house Sotheby’s. For 15 years, she organized and held auctions, in addition to performing back office duties. When the Sotheby’s office closed, she joined her family’s winery at Tenuta Sette Ponti. Giovanna heads up the tasting room, hosts guests and attends international tasting events on behalf of the estate. A member of the Accademia della Cucina (The Cooking Academy), she also teaches cooking. Giovanna has found the world of wine to be quite familiar: constant dedication are rewarded, as are constant attention to small details, the will to make a difference, a love of creativity and passion for a sense of risk.
Emilia Nardi
Owner: Tenute Silvio Nardi
Emilia Nardi, youngest daughter of founder Silvio Nardi, took over the estate at age 30 after working alongside her father for a decade. Passionate about both the countryside and global travel, she holds an executive MBA and is one of the few female leaders in Brunello. In 2004, she was recognized by the Agricultural Ministry as a Female Agricultural Innovator. As President of Tenute Silvio Nardi, she modernized the estate by introducing clone selections, updating the label, and collaborating with experts like Andrea Paoletti and Yves Glories. She also supports research by investing 10% of annual profits into R&D and maintaining ties with universities in Florence and Bordeaux. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, gardening, and entertaining friends.
Giovanni Folonari
Owner: Folonari, Nozzole, Campo al Mare, La Fuga, and Cabreo
Giovanni Folonari, a member of Tuscany’s renowned wine family, has a passion for mechanics and enjoys working with tractors in the vineyards. If not in wine, he might have pursued automotive engineering. Growing up around Ruffino and witnessing his father’s role in Italy’s quality wine movement deeply influenced his path. A UC Davis enology graduate, he cites his father, Michel Rolland, and Franco Bernabei as key mentors. After stints at Robert Mondavi and Ruffino, he and his father founded Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Tenute, focusing on small-production wines in top appellations. He lives with his wife and three children at Tenuta del Cabreo near Florence.
Filippo Folonari
Son of Giovanni: Folonari, Nozzole, Campo al Mare, La Fuga, Cabreo
Filippo Folonari, son of Giovanni Folonari and grandson of Ambrogio Folonari, represents the next generation of a family deeply rooted in Italian winemaking. With a strong heritage tied to the founding of esteemed estates such as Tenute Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari, Filippo is poised to carry forward the legacy of innovation and excellence established by his predecessors. Passionate about viticulture and deeply connected to the family’s Tuscan vineyards, he is gradually taking on a more active role in the business. His involvement signals a promising future for the wineries, blending tradition with a modern vision to ensure continued growth and global recognition.
Alberto Chiarlo
Owner: Michele Chiarlo
Alberto Chiarlo, son of Michele Chiarlo, was born in Susa, Piedmont, and earned a law degree from the University of Pavia. While studying, he traveled with his father to promote the family’s wines and managed international sales, gaining early industry experience. After completing civil service in 1992, he officially joined the company, becoming Export Manager in 1998 and later Sales & Marketing Manager in 2000, during which export sales doubled. In 2001, Alberto, his brother Stefano, and wife Simona launched “Le Orme su La Court,” an art park in their Barbera d’Asti vineyards designed by Oscar-nominee Emanuele Luzzati. They later developed a historic hamlet in the Barolo Cerequio vineyard into a wine-focused destination, including a renovated cellar, tasting room, and Barolo library. Above it, they opened the Barolo Crus Resort Palas Cerequio, a boutique hotel with vineyard-themed suites. Alberto and Simona live with their two children, Bianca Nivola and Pietro Michele.
Mariano Buglioni
Owner: Buglioni
Mariano Buglioni is an Italian winemaker and owner of the Buglioni Winery. Born and raised in the northeast region of Italy, Mariano developed a passion for winemaking at a young age. Mariano originally worked in the textiles industry with his father. He produced his first wines starting with the 2000 vintage, after him and his father, Alfredo Buglioni, began to farm grapes from their estate in Valpolicella Classico. Mariano Buglioni is not only a highly respected winemaker but also a passionate advocate for the culinary traditions of the Valpolicella region. Mariano has opened osterias in the region, where guests can enjoy delicious local cuisine paired with his wines. Mariano resides in San Pietro with his wife, Clara, and their three children, Cristiano, Gaia, and Emma.
Alessandro Medici
Owner: Medici Ermete
As co-owner with his father Alberto, Alessandro Medici joined the family business as fifth-generation winemaker and brand ambassador for the classic wines of Emilia-Romagna that his family winery makes: refreshing, food-friendly, fizzy red Lambrusco. Alessandro’s aim is to both preserve and evolve the historic family property, and his first project at Medici Ermete was the creation of Phermento, a Lambrusco produced in the ancestral or pét-nat method, which embraces ancient techniques and modern winemaking knowledge.
Salvatore Avalone
CEO: Villa Matilde
Born in Naples in 1957, Salvatore Avallone is co-CEO of Villa Matilde alongside his sister Maria, continuing the legacy of their father, Francesco Paolo Avallone. Francesco, a Roman Law professor turned vintner, founded the estate to revive Falerno, the legendary wine of Roman emperors. Salvatore, a true figlio d’arte, helped plant many of the vines at Tenuta San Castrese. Though he began his career as a lawyer after earning a law degree in 1983, he left the profession in 1987 to fully commit to the family winery. Today, he oversees export and production, maintaining a hands-on, family-driven approach. The personal touch remains central to Villa Matilde’s spirit and success.
Francesco Avalone
Director of Foreign Sales & CMO: Villa Matilde
Francesco Paolo Avallone, born in Naples on May 29, 1996. After graduating with honors from Liceo Scientifico Sacro Cuore High School in Naples in 2015, he graduated with a degree in International Business Management. Subsequently, he pursued three master’s degrees in marketing and one master’s degree in business management.
Belonging to the third generation of Villa Matilde Avallone, Francesco officially joined the company in January 2023, after serving as a brand ambassador for the company. He currently serves as Director of Foreign Sales and Chief Executive Manager.
Francesco manages international sales management through marketing strategy development and effective leadership. He has a strong passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
Salvatore Santus
Sales & Marketing Manager: Agricola Punica
Salvatore Santus was born in southern Sardinia in 1965 to a family of farmers, and began helping his father with winegrowing from an early age. His professional career began in 1991 in the travel industry as Travel Consultant, and in 2004, he moved to London to continue working in travel by creating bespoke holiday tours to Italy for British and American clientele. Here, he began organizing wine tours to Tuscany and Sardinia. In 2009, Salvatore returned to Sardinia to work for Agricola Punica as Export and Logistics Coordinator and, in 2013, as Manager. He has acquired the third level of A.I.S., the Italian Association of Sommeliers.
At Agricola Punica, Salvatore has covered many roles, including international sales, coordination and attendance of wine fairs and festivals in Italy and abroad, customer service, and winery visits and tastings. When not at work, Salvatore likes spending free time following his passions, such as soccer, DIY, and riding his motorcycle.
Roberto Pighin
Owner: Pighin
Roberto Pighin has been intimately involved with his family winery since he was a child. After finishing his military service in 1986, he joined his father in running Fernando Pighin & Figli, and counts his dual contact with nature and other people among the greatest enjoyments of the wine industry. His passion for food and cooking informs his work with wine, and he also has strong interests in music and painting. He lives in the villa in Risano with his wife and daughter.
Amaro Lucano
What More Could You Want From Life?
Amaro Lucano hails from the village of Pisticci in Basilicata, a region known for its scenic beauty and cultural heritage. It was created in 1894 by Pasquale Vena, a pastry chef who developed the original recipe in his family’s bakery. Inspired by herbal blends from local monks, Vena crafted a unique mix of over 30 herbs and botanicals. The recipe quickly gained popularity and became the foundation of one of Italy’s most cherished amari. The Vena family still sources herbs from the region and maintains traditional production methods. Today, Amaro Lucano is still made in Pisticci by the founding family. Once a local favorite, it is now enjoyed by amaro lovers around the world.