 Gianni also believes in the importance of the people. I was very impressed at the lunch where I was invited over at the headquarters a day after the Show was over. The Boar-room type of dining room had about 12 senior heads from different areas including his two sons, heads of export, finance, HRD and of course Franco Giacosa joing him for lunch. During the 3-course executive lunch where the Gambellara white and Red were the staple wines followed by a fabulous Moscato with dessert, problems and various day-to-day happenings were being discussed in a very relaxed atmosphere.
Earlier, when I had asked him about Franco's contribution in getting many awards since his joining the company 9 years ago, he had replied, ‘ I think viticulture, people and technical areas in that order are most important factors for good quality wines and Franco has been tremendous help in the last area'. Since this Piemontese joined the company after 20 years experience with the well known Sicilian producer Duca di Salaparuta, Zonin has been getting a spate of awards and recognition from Gambero Rosso, Duemilavini, Vini Di Veronelli etc. In fact, Acciaiolo 2001, the Super Tuscan from Castello d'Albola and the Sicilian Deliella 2002 from Principi have both received 3 glasses from the prestigious Gambero Rosso. Acciaiolo 2001 has also won 3-stars, the highest honour from I Vini di Veronelli in 2006. Earlier Deliella 2002 and 2000 had also received the top honours along with San Rocco 2000 from the Sicilian stable. Conte Bolani 2001 of Tenuta Ca'Bolani from Friuly and Deliella 2000 had also received F ive Grappoli , the highest honour from Duemilavini. For his efforts to improve quality Gianni Zonin has been awarded the coveted Leonardo Qualita`Italiana by Pres. Ciampi.
Zonin has 1800 hectares of its own vineyards from 11 estates in 7 regions- Veneto, Friuly, Piemonte, Lombardi, Sicily and Puglia. Still it has to buy grapes from outside:100,000 quintals are purchased in Veneto alone from contract farmers with 5-year contracts running from 50-200 Euro per quintal.. In order to keep the competition at bay from other countries, it is Gianni's philosophy to continue to develop the indigenous grapes for their wines. The current ratio of 60% indigenous variety will be increased to 75% in the next couple of years, according to him.
What are his impressions about Vinitaly 2006? He replies,' it has been wonderful for us and we are very optimistic about the results. Right profiled people have been visiting us from many countries. More Italians, Australians and Americans have talked to us. Germans have been fewer due to the recently held Prowein in Dusseldorf . There has been a decrease in the UK visitors too. But we are also happy because the show has been organized much better this year.'
 Zonin is exporting only 40% of its wines, concentrating on the 60% market of Italian market too. This will change during the next couple of years though with the two markets sharing the pie equally. That is where the Indian market is important. Gianni is very optimistic about Indian market. ‘It can be a very interesting market. It depends upon your economic conditions. Inching up little by little, it will be more interesting for us in future. Sales are dropping in the rest of the world while they are growing in India . It is interesting that where the consumption was high earlier, it is dropping and vice versa. France , Spain and Italy are suffering from lower sales. Changes in the lifestyle is an important factor. Earlier wine was an integral part of long lunches, but no more', he says ruefully.
Zonin is sold in India through Brindco.
‘There are many producers who are capable of making good wines, but in small quantities. I believe the pleasure of enjoying outstanding wines should not be restricted to the privileged few. Our goal is to keep them on improving our products an maximize the potential of our outstanding wine areas in his concluding remarks', he added.
Indians who love fine Italian wines would welcome his statement and would welcome his dream turning into reality. As President of the Banca Populare di Vicenza that has opened an India Rep office in Delhi recently he would have many opportunities to visit India . Although as he had told me at that lunch in Gambellara, they do not have any plans of further expansion for a while(‘a day has only 24 hours'), his frequent visits may motivate him to get involved in wine production in India . Just like the small Estate he bought in the land of Thomas Jefferson in Virginia and named it Barboursville Vineyards.
His presence will certainly help boost the image and sales of Zonin wines in India . One should wait and watch the quality/price wines from this passionate wine producer cum banker..
Subhash Arora |
