Welcome to Episode 2772 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo is in conversation with Monica Samuels, President of Kome Collective, a leading U.S. importer of Japanese sake and spirits.

Together, they explore the fascinating intersection of Japanese sake and Italian wine, discussing why Japanese restaurants have become one of the strongest markets for premium Italian wines in the United States.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Japanese restaurants have become one of the strongest accounts for premium italian wines in the US.
• How wine & sake compliment rather than compete with one another.
• What Italian wineries can learn from the Japanese hospitality and beverage industry.

More about the guest:

Monica is the President of Kome Collective, a leading US importer of Japanese sake and spirits. Monica spent many of her formative years in Tokyo with her grandfather, formerly a sake brewer, and was inspired to carry on his legacy through her career in restaurants, distribution, and importation. In 2017 she received the prestigious honor of “Sake Samurai,” awarded by the Japan Sake Brewers Association. Some of her other personal accolades include IWSC “Future 50” 2018, Wine Enthusiast’s “40 under 40” 2014, and judging several of the top sake competitions around the world, from the International Wine Challenge to the US National Sake Appraisal.

Connect:

Website: https://www.komecollective.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msamuels1212/?hl=en 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-samuels-b352738/ 

More about the host:

Juliana Colangelo is the Director of Marketing at T. Edward Wines & Spirits, the NYC-based national importer and distributor. She leads the company’s marketing strategy across a growing portfolio of global wine and spirits producers, driving brand development, trade engagement, and national visibility during a period of significant expansion. 

Previously, Juliana was Senior Brand Manager at Frederick Wildman & Sons, where she played a key leadership role in the Italian wine division, overseeing marketing strategy for shareholder brands within the Gruppo Italiano Vini and Cantine Riunite portfolios. Prior to that, she served as Vice President at Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits communications agency in the U.S., where she opened the firm’s first secondary headquarters in California in 2016, establishing its Bay Area office. Over the past decade, Juliana has become one of the most dynamic and influential marketing and communications executives in the wine industry. She is widely recognized as a mentor and connector for women in beverage alcohol, leveraging her network to create opportunities and elevate others in the field. Juliana has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, and other leading publications speaking on the future of wine marketing and consumer growth.

Connect:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jules.colangelo/

Twitter: https://x.com/JulezColang

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-colangelo-mba-04345539/

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

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to Episode 11 of Study Smart and Episode 2771 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon Smith.

Ep. 11: Dordogne & South West France

Study Smart for your WSET Level 3 is a new series of audio learning resources specifically created for wine students. This new series consists of 30 episodes, each focusing on a particular wine region, with the objective of equipping listeners with the knowledge and expertise they need to prepare for industry-standard courses such as WSET. 

With exam strategies and techniques also included, the "Study Smart" series is designed to help wine students achieve their learning objectives in an accessible and engaging way.

This new series has been designed in partnership with the Italian Wine Academy, a Verona-based, internationally recognized wine school founded in 2017 that provides WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification courses and specialized training. 

The series is delivered by the acclaimed wine educator Gill Gordon Smith. Gill is a VIA certified Italian Wine Expert, an artisan wine producer, retailer, writer, judge and educator based between Australia's McLaren Vale Region and Verona and Tuscany in Italy. 

Look out for new episodes every week wherever you get your podcasts!

More episodes here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/study_smart_for_your_wset_level_3/  

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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 

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp 

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

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to the Asia Wine Market and Episode 2770 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova is in conversation with China-based wine educator and consultant Fongyee Walker MW.

In Part 1, they explore the evolution of the Chinese wine market from the 1990s to today, examining the gap between import statistics and actual consumption, the impact of the post-COVID slowdown, and the shift from Tier 1 cities to emerging opportunities in Tier 2 and 3 markets. They also discuss how Chinese wine consumers have become more knowledgeable and selective, and what the next five to ten years may hold for imported wines in China.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand Market Realities: Track how the Chinese wine market has transformed over the past two decades and where true growth opportunities lie today.
• Decode Consumer & Culinary Psychology: Learn how Chinese wine lovers actually think about wine, wine education, premiumization, and family-style food pairing.
• Execute Actionable Strategies: Discover practical, budget-conscious strategies for wineries seeking long-term success through storytelling, local relevance, and cultural understanding.

Listen to another episode on the Chinese Wine Market: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-2521-adriano-albanese-of-tommasi-family-estates-asia-wine-market/

More about today’s guest:

Fongyee Walker MW is one of the world’s leading authorities on the Chinese wine market and the first Master of Wine based in mainland China. She became an MW in 2016 and is the co-founder of Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting, one of China’s most respected independent wine education and consulting companies.

Fongyee developed her passion for wine while studying Classical Chinese at the University of Cambridge, where she captained the university’s blind wine tasting team. In 2007, she moved to Beijing and co-founded Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting with Edward Ragg MW, helping shape China’s wine education landscape through training, consulting, and market development.

A specialist wine educator and consultant in both English and Mandarin, Fongyee is also a highly regarded international wine judge, regularly serving on panels for competitions and wine shows in Australia, Chile, South Africa, and the International Wine Challenge (IWC).

Connect:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fongyee-walker-mw-1426514/ 

More about the host:

Roza Zharmukhambetova has a background in foreign languages and education. She discovered her passion for wine in Beijing, where she gained two years of experience in wine sales. Since returning to Kazakhstan, she has focused on studying Italian wine and exploring its regions. Roza holds certifications as an Italian Wine Ambassador (VIA), Italian Wine Scholar (WSG), Langhe Wines Ambassador (BBA), and Valpolicella Wine Specialist (VEP). She is also a member of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association. Since the end of 2024, she has been a member of the Italian Wine Podcast (IWP) team, contributing her passion for Italian wine.

Connect:

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

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

_______________________________

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp 

Until Next Time Cin Cin!

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2769 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Darya Nagornyak IWA speaks with Giulia Monteleone of Monteleone Winery on Mount Etna.

A former wine communicator who became a wine producer, Giulia shares her journey from Palermo to Etna’s volcanic landscape, the challenges of earning recognition in a traditional wine community as a woman, and how becoming a producer has transformed her understanding of the wine world and her perspective on wine communication.

These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast. 

More about today’s host: 

Since 2018, Darya Nagornyak has been working in the restaurant industry with a strong focus on wine, specializing in Italian wines. She currently serves as Wine Development Manager at Almawine and holds the title of Italian Wine Ambassador. A certified WSET Level 3 professional, Darya is also Vice President of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association in Astana, where she works closely with young professionals to foster and develop wine culture in the city.

Connect:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-nagornyak-4a5046304/ 

More about today’s guest:  

Founded in 2017, Monteleone Winery is a young, family-run winery located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in Castiglione di Sicilia. The project began when Giulia Monteleone, together with her father Enrico and partner Benedetto Alessandro, discovered an old vineyard near the Alcantara River, at the foot of the volcano. Starting from two hectares of historic vineyards, the estate has grown while remaining focused on small-scale, quality-driven production and the expression of Etna’s unique terroir.

Connect:

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

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giulia.monteleone.94 

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

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

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp 

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!

Welcome to Episode 2768 of the Italian Wine Podcast in which Jessica Dupuy interviews James Tidwell MS, American Master Sommelier, wine educator, and founder of the TEXSOM Conference, at TEXSOM 2026.

Jessica and James discuss the format and objectives for this year’s event, how TEXSOM has evolved in recent years, and how it will continue to develop in the future.

The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the third year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America.

Join us at TEXSOM 2026 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine 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:

James Tidwell, MS is a writer, speaker, educator, and the founder and producer of the TEXSOM Conference and TEXSOM Awards. He passed the Master Sommelier Diploma in 2009 and is a respected wine judge and industry leader, serving with the Decanter World Wine Awards, the Wines of Portugal Challenge, and The World of Fine Wine. James has contributed to The World Atlas of Wine, the Oxford Companion to Wine, and the Hugh Johnson Pocket Wine Book, and has been recognized among the wine industry’s leading voices for his work in education, publishing, and professional development.

Connect:

Website: https://texsom.com/people/james-tidwell-ms-cwe/ 

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-tidwell-2ba68823/ 

_______________________________

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 

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp 

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

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to episode 2767 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 257 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is joined by Gianluca Garofoli, fifth-generation winemaker and Managing Director of Casa Vinicola Garofoli, one of the Marche region’s most historic family-owned wineries and a pioneer in the production of high-quality Verdicchio wines.

More about today’s guest:

Garofoli Winery, founded in 1901 in Italy’s Marche region, is one of the country’s historic family-owned wine estates. Known for its Verdicchio and Rosso Conero wines, the winery has played a significant role in showcasing the character and diversity of the Marche territory for more than a century.

Gianluca Garofoli, the fifth generation of the family, grew up within the winery and has served as Managing Director since 2014. He leads the estate with a focus on combining its long-standing family heritage with a modern, international vision, while remaining deeply connected to the people, culture, and territory that define Garofoli’s wines.

Connect:

Website: https://garofolivini.it/en/ 

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianluca-garofoli-797b4015/ 

More about the host:

Marc Millon, a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador since 2021, is a celebrated expert in the world of wine, food, and travel and an award-winning author of 15 books on these topics. Since 2021, he has been the host of the ‘Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon’ weekly series on the Italian Wine Podcast, which now has well over 220 episodes of the show. Marc’s latest book is “Italy in a Wineglass – the Taste of History” published by Hurst, London and Melville House, New York (Guild of Food Writers ‘Drinks Writer Award’ 2025 and the World Gourmand ‘Best Wine History Book in the World Award’ 2025). In addition to his writing and podcasting, Marc is a sought-after speaker and hosts gastronomic cultural tours to Italy in partnership with Martin Randall Travel, a leading specialist in cultural travel. When he's not exploring the culinary landscapes of the world, Marc resides along the scenic River Exe in Devon, England.

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 

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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 

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

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp 

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!

Welcome to Episode 2766 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald sits down with Jill Sites to explore the fast-growing U.S. non-alcoholic wine market. Drawing on more than two decades of beverage industry experience, Jill shares practical insights into the opportunities, challenges, and future of the category for wineries looking to succeed in the U.S. market.

Key Takeaways:

• What every winery should know about the U.S. non-alcoholic wine market.
• How the non-alcoholic wine category is evolving and where the biggest opportunities lie.
• What separates the brands that succeed in the non-alcoholic space from those that struggle to gain traction.

More about the guest:

Jill Sites is the founder of Soak Up the Sites, a beverage strategy consultancy launched in 2024 that advises innovative beverage brands on sales, distribution, and growth strategy. Her clients have included Almave, Little Saints, Moth Drinks, St. Buena Vida, Just Enough Wines, and Ted Segers.

With more than 20 years of experience in the beverage industry, Jill has built a career spanning brand building, strategic sales, and market expansion. She most recently served as Fractional EVP of Sales at The Pathfinder Spirit, where she expanded national distribution from 5 to 41 states and led growth with major accounts including Whole Foods and Total Wine. Previously, as Vice President of Wholesale at Boisson, she built the company’s wholesale division and developed national retail partnerships for a portfolio of non-alcoholic brands.

Earlier in her career, Jill held leadership roles at Betty Buzz, Redwood Brands, and Breakthru Beverage Group, leading national brand strategies, sales initiatives, and growth across emerging craft and premium beverage categories.

Connect:

Website: http://www.soakupthesites.com/ 

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

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

More about the host:

With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara Fitzgerald 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: https://www.instagram.com/barbarajeanfitz/

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

Website: https://www.aprilacreative.com/ 

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

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

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to Episode 10 of Study Smart and Episode 2764 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Gill Gordon Smith.

Ep. 10: South of France

Study Smart for your WSET Level 3 is a new series of audio learning resources specifically created for wine students. This new series consists of 30 episodes, each focusing on a particular wine region, with the objective of equipping listeners with the knowledge and expertise they need to prepare for industry-standard courses such as WSET. 

With exam strategies and techniques also included, the "Study Smart" series is designed to help wine students achieve their learning objectives in an accessible and engaging way.

This new series has been designed in partnership with the Italian Wine Academy, a Verona-based, internationally recognized wine school founded in 2017 that provides WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification courses and specialized training. 

The series is delivered by the acclaimed wine educator Gill Gordon Smith. Gill is a VIA certified Italian Wine Expert, an artisan wine producer, retailer, writer, judge and educator based between Australia's McLaren Vale Region and Verona and Tuscany in Italy. 

Look out for new episodes every week wherever you get your podcasts!

_______________________________

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 

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mammajumboshrimp 

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

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to Book Club and Episode 2763 of the Italian Wine Podcast with Richard Hough. In this episode, Richard is in conversation with Alec Ross, author of “The Italian Dream”.

Highlights of the conversation include:

• Alec’s Italian origins
• The concept of the American Dream
• Alec’s role as advisor to Barack Obama
• The Role of AI in the wine sector
• The challenges facing Italy including the brain day, the absence of meritocracy and a short-term mentality
• Wine regions and styles
• Consumer trends

The NOLO startup Alec mentioned during the conversation is Liquid Ventures (https://liquidventurestudio.com/en/) and the gin brand he mentioned is Engine Gin (https://www.engine.land/en/). Skiwasser (literally "ski water") is a popular non-alcoholic Alpine beverage typically made by mixing raspberry syrup, lemon juice and water

“The Italian Dream” by Alex Ross is published by Feltrinelli and is available to order at: https://www.feltrinellieditore.it/opera/the-italian-dream/.

The Book Review by Richard Hough:

Bold and provocative (in the current political climate, American commentary on the internal affairs of another country is not always welcome), Alec Ross’ “The Italian Dream” addresses some of the deep-seated problems that afflict Italy, foremost among them low economic growth and the so-called fuga di cervelli (brain drain), with 100,000 Italians—many holding advanced degrees—leaving annually for better opportunities abroad. With a wealth of experience on both sides of the Atlantic, Alec Ross is well placed to address these issues. The question is, is anyone listening, and is change ever possible in Italy?

About today’s guest:

Alec Ross is one of the world's foremost experts on innovation, technology policy, and the geopolitics of the digital economy, best known as the New York Times bestselling author of “The Industries of the Future”. He served as Senior Advisor for Innovation to the U.S. Secretary of State. Today he is Board Partner at Amplo, a global venture capital firm, Distinguished Professor at the University of Bologna Business School, and board director of companies spanning technology, cybersecurity, finance, and human capital.

Connect:

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

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

More interviews hosted by Richard Hough:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/italian-wine-book/

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

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

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

Until next time, Cin Cin!

Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2762 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Ekaterina Vislinskaya IWA is in conversation with the Italian winemaker and entrepreneur Mariano Buglioni to discuss the wines of the Cantina Buglioni estate in Valpolicella Classico, the history of this important brand and how the family business shifted from clothing to organic wine production.

These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast. 

More about today’s host: 

Ekaterina Vislinskaya is a certified wine sommelier and content creator from Yekaterinburg, Russia, specializing in Italian wines. She holds WSET Level 3 and is an accredited Italian Wine Ambassador (IWA) through Vinitaly International Academy. Ekaterina is also a guest blogger for the Italian Wine Podcast and a passionate wine traveler, sharing insights on wine tourism, viticulture, and Italian wine culture.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vislinskaya.wine/ 

More about today’s guest:  

Mariano Buglioni is the visionary and irreverent soul of Valpolicella. Born in 1971, he initially trained in the family clothing company led by his father, Alfredo Buglioni. In the 1990s, he stepped into the world of wine with the purchase, together with his father, of an ancient farmhouse in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica area. In 2000 he definitively abandoned the textile industry for the winery. The first Buglioni Amarone debuted on the market in 2004.

For an emerging winery in a region dominated by historic wine dynasties it was hard in the beginning. Mariano didn’t give up but turned the tables instead and decided to build his own market, opening Osteria del Bugiardo, in the heart of Verona's historic center. It was soon a success bringing Amarone and Ripasso directly to the people, especially young people, in a convivial atmosphere. Today Buglioni represents a rare example of the virtuous integration of viticulture with hospitality. Under Mariano's direction, Buglioni is no longer just a winery but a comprehensive and inclusive hospitality experience throughout the region: wine experiences, bars, restaurant, and relais.

Connect:

Website: https://www.buglioni.it/ 

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariano-buglioni-29656284/

More interviews hosted by the VIA International Community:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/clubhouse-ambassadors-corner/ 

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

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

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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!

Welcome to episode 2761 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 256 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. In this episode, Marc is joined by Alessandro Serughetti to discuss winemaking and consulting across Sicily.

Marc and Alessandro discuss his international winemaking experience, the winery he founded with his wife in 2022, and his consulting work across Sicily, including projects on the western and northern slopes of Etna, in Castiglione di Sicilia, and in the Vendicari area. They explore the influence of Etna’s contrade on wine expression, the potential of native and international grape varieties, Sicily’s rich gastronomic traditions, and Alessandro’s growing focus on hospitality and wine tourism.

More about today’s guest:

Alessandro Serughetti was born in Palermo in 1992. He is a consulting winemaker and small wine producer on Mount Etna. He holds a degree in Viticulture and Enology and specialized in Viticulture and Enology Sciences, completing his academic path with a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology in Portugal and a master’s thesis carried out in New Zealand.

During his training, he gained professional experience in several wine regions around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Portugal. These experiences strengthened his technical expertise, his ability to adapt to different pedoclimatic contexts, and his international vision of winemaking.

He has also completed levels of the WSET – Wine & Spirit Education Trust, further expanding his knowledge of global wine markets.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alessandro.serughetti.wine/ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandro-serughetti-b05443b0/ 

More about the host:

Marc Millon, a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador since 2021, is a celebrated expert in the world of wine, food, and travel and an award-winning author of 15 books on these topics. Since 2021, he has been the host of the ‘Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon’ weekly series on the Italian Wine Podcast, which now has well over 220 episodes of the show. Marc’s latest book is “Italy in a Wineglass – the Taste of History” published by Hurst, London and Melville House, New York (Guild of Food Writers ‘Drinks Writer Award’ 2025 and the World Gourmand ‘Best Wine History Book in the World Award’ 2025). In addition to his writing and podcasting, Marc is a sought-after speaker and hosts gastronomic cultural tours to Italy in partnership with Martin Randall Travel, a leading specialist in cultural travel. When he's not exploring the culinary landscapes of the world, Marc resides along the scenic River Exe in Devon, England.

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 

More interviews hosted by Marc Millon:

https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/episodes_category/food-travel/ 

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

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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!