Ep. 1571 Ettore Nicoletto | On The Road With Stevie Kim

Since two thousand and seventeen, the Italian wine podcast has exploded. Recently hitting six million listens support us by buying a copy of Italian wine unplugged two point o or making a small donation. In return, we'll give you the chance to nominate a guest and even win lunch with Steve Kim and Professor Atilio Shenza. Find out more at Italian One podcast dot com. Welcome to another episode of On the Road Edition, hosted by Stevie Kim. Each week, she travels to incredible wine destinations, interviewing some of the Italian wine scene's most interesting personalities, talking about wines, the foods, as well as the incredible travel destinations. Hello everybody. My name is Stevie Kim, and welcome to the Italian wine podcast. This is not a on the road edition. It's actually in Verona. We have few more days before closing the office. So I thought why not ask some you know, for our niece, wine people because I'm always on the road and I never get to see them. So I thought this week, I'll dedicate to, a little bit few of the producers from Verona. And today, with us, I have the pleasure of having I haven't seen you in a long time. Right? True. Yeah. How are you doing? I'm okay. Thank you. You know, getting close to my vacation. Yeah. I know. You look like you look like a boy scout today, actually, with a little knapsack. Makes me feel younger. What are your plans for some? Not much. Play golf, and the way I for the audience who are unfamiliar with you and your name, Etor Nicholas, of course, big personality in the Italian wine industry. I'm on your LinkedIn right now. You started with, of course, Zonin, you were there for ten years, and then you went to Santa Margarita, and you were there for how many years in summer? Sixteen. Yeah. You were sixteen years. Wow. And you were the CEO for nearly twelve years. That's crazy. And now you are the president and administrator delegat which is equivalent to CEO in English of the Angelini wine and assist. Tell us briefly what that is. Well, talking about the last experience? Yeah. Your current. Your last and your current. More importantly. Sorry. No. It's been quite a journey in the wine business that culminated with this experience that started twenty twenty with the engineering wines in the States. Formerly, Bertani domains. The name of the group was changed last year to engineering wines in the States. You know, the experience was quite dramatic because when I joined, and that was in March twenty twenty. I started and I closed down all the wineries because of the Yeah. Twenty nineteen. Yeah. When you started, you're like hit with dams. What do I do? I closed down. Yeah. And that was, quite striking and also traumatic somehow. But, you know, so far so good, the group is, a small sized group. A lot of things to do. A bit different from Santa Margarita. Right? In terms of scale and size. Size wise. Mhmm. No doubt because, Santa Margarita now is two hundred and sixty million. We are at about thirty million. So there is a a tiny baby. A tiny baby, you know, with a lot of promise, with a lot of, perspectives. We have beautiful brands within our portfolio because Martani is, a piece of history, not only of verona, but also of Italy's white making. And so we have this, let's say, it's sleeping beauty. To awake and, express the potential. And, I think we have not, unleashed the potential of this brand yet. Of course, you know, knowing you as that big person in the Italian wine industry, I know you're going to scale wherever you can. Right? So you I'm sure it's not going to be just a tiny little thing any longer. What is your big plan in the grand scheme of things? You're right. My mission is to make the group larger to broaden the portfolio. When I started, I immediately got down to business in this regard. The point nowadays is that the landscape of the potential target wineries is verified. Mhmm. There is no much to buy. And there is a certain unwillingness to put the wineries for sale. So it's very difficult to make a demand and, and supply meat, unfortunately. So it's, it's a tough, task of the one I'm, I'm owned right now. Okay. Well, good luck to you, Edgota. Thank you. So today, mostly, of course, we can go on and on about the expert tiny domains now called Angelini wines in the States By the way, why did you change the name? We didn't want, a brand to be leading a group of diversified businesses, geographies. So we thought that each winery should stand on its own. Mhmm. And we should have a brand that expressed, the group of brand, the corporate name that expressed the family business and the name of the other businesses. As you know, Vertani domains, the formerly Vertani domains is one hundred percent owned by Angeline Industries, a multisector conglomerate that, is involved in pharmaceutical, in consumer goods, fast moving consumer goods, in cosmetics, perfumery, robotics, and a lot of things, including wine. So we wanted our business to, to be named as part of this huge, conglomerate. Yeah. Well, during COVID, there were also a mukina. Right? Yeah. Yes. It's huge. Right? Well, that was a business. That was a booster, actually. But, and, you know, it was, it was very important to have a makena available as you know. Yes. Absolutely. Alright. We're going to quickly fast forward to the main reason why I called you today, this new association called Rite Val Pantena. I see on the home page Vieni Vedi Vidi. What does that mean? First of all, for Well, you know, you should becoming to the valley, to look around, enjoy the the beauty of the landscape, and experience all the things that the valley has to offer. Yes. So Vieni is to come. See. V v? And enjoy and experience. And VV. Okay. Everybody knows in Verona area where Valentina is. But where is Valentina exactly? Well, but Pantina is a is a valet the name of the valley is valle de Yide. So the god's valet, which is a very fascinating name. But Montana is well known to various people. Mhmm. And also to travelers and tourists as the road or the valley that links the north of verona with the Laissenia plateau, the Laissenia Mount. In reality, there is more to it because, you know, there are vineyards, there are industries, there are olive trees, and there are also new businesses that have come into play recently in the hospitality business in the restaurant business. So it is a valley that has developed quite quickly. That, shows, influences, areas, business areas, mostly agriculture, viticulture, and, hospitality industries. So, industries, hotels, and restaurants. And, you know, our idea, the idea with the other founders was to join forces, promote, and enhance this territory that is, a little bit off the beaten track because, you know, everybody knows Valentena to get to the Lissini. Mhmm. But in fact, if you travel around, if you explore, you see a lot of beautiful things to discover. Okay. So who, first of all, thought of this idea, and What are the participating liners? Because I see six of them here. Yes. To be honest with you, the idea was, let's say, originated before my arrival at that time. Mhmm. So I think, discussions started in, twenty eighteen, twenty nineteen, but evidently, the time was not ripe for this to to happen. In twenty twenty, maybe we had more time available because of COVID. So we had the opportunity with some other, let's say, visionary entrepreneurs of the area to discuss this project And very quickly, we arrived at the conclusion that the joining forces would have been quite a good thing to promote to the territory. So we're talking about the that is owned by three entrepreneurs, costa renta, which is in the, let's say, in the realm of Gena Gricola. So the big insurance company generally. Lacolina, the chile and Cabel Moro. So the producer up in Erbina, you know, the the hill that towers over Grzana. Mhmm. And Bernigo with the extra virgin olive oil and other, you know, organic medicines. And honey and other products, and other produce. So in terms of producers, wine producer, there are four of you. Yes. Okay. And then there's there is also a producer who also has developed, hospitality Caddel Moro, which is a resort, actually. Mhmm. And, we are open to welcoming other, let's say, absences from the territory. The point is that we are very strict in terms of, criteria to become a member of the of the network. The the first driver is excellence and say, premium or ultra premium is a top positioning and also, you know, a strong feeling for the identity of the territory. Okay. So the criteria is Bringiness. Yeah, in this area specifically by Fontina. Wine to wine business forum. Everything you need to get ahead in the world of wine. Supercise your business network. Share business ideas with the biggest voices in the industry. Join us in Verona on November thirteen to fourteen twenty twenty three. Tickets available now at point wine dot net. But how many wineries are the in Valentin Well, do you know? I think, we're talking about Quite a few, right? In those and wineries of different sizes. Mhmm. Wine to wine business forum. Everything you need to get ahead in the world of wine, supersize your business network. Share business ideas with the biggest voices in the industry. Join us in Verona on November thirteen to fourteen twenty twenty three. Tickets available now at point wine dot net. But how many wineries are there in Valentina? Say the largest of which is is bertine that has been there for for forever, let's say, for centuries. And, See, Britani is the historic guiner. Yes. Right in the area? Yes. Yes. But the territory or say the area is, vocation for the vine growing. So, you know, there are interesting undertaking in the particular culture sector. Corta impact is relatively new. Yeah. It's fairly new. Yeah. So, the territory is attracting investors and entrepreneurs will see the potential of the valley in terms of Viticulture and winemaking. There are also other producers at the entrance of the valley who may become members. So we are working on broadening the portfolio with new entries, but it's it's a very difficult exercise because we want to be strict, or let's say stringent or meeting the criteria that we This is fine if I can say it's a pandemic baby, right? It's a COVID baby in what? As many. Yeah. But what have you done so far? Like, what is the mission of this new association, Riteval Pantena? And what are your plans? Let me put it this way. We have started to first of all, make known the existence of the network. We started, last year with, press events dedicated to magazine that cover travels, cuisine, and wine, obviously, to make everybody or, let's say, the press know that we exist. And we have, plans to promote the territory. We also set up events for the community because of the the community has to know that there is, a group of entrepreneurs who are willing to enhance the territory, also invest. Open the territory and invest, serious money in in the territory to open the territory for, to the ballet, the public, to the tourism that is not particularly developed in the area. So our mission is to make and, and to promote a territory that has a lot of potential. One of the things that we've, done is to create, a small, the one that you're seeing on the screen, portal. Mhmm. That will be developed with, the addition of itineraries of offerings for the traveler who want to explore a new area in the Veronica province to do different things. To see an endpoint territory to see something uncharted somehow. And, this is one of our goals. So in a way, you are focusing a little bit more, not on the technical side of the wine, if you will. Which is kind of the plastic wine communication. You're focusing on lifestyle, right, and experiences? We are focusing on experiences because we believe that with the experience comes on the rest. So you experience, the wine offerings, you experience the the hotels of the area, the restaurants, the olive oil. One of the things we want to do is to also involve, you know, our network nice producer, and this is an offer that I'm making live. Mhmm. A producer of bakery products, live and bakery products. Mhmm. That is called which is in the Arizona area, which is a producer of unbelievable or Panettoni pandoli and. Oh, really? Yeah. First class. So we wanna add all the gems that, characterize the Valentena area. It's a journey. Through across all the nice things that the bulb antenna has to offer. So we are not focusing on wine. We're not focusing on olive oil. We are focusing on what bulb antenna can offer to the traveler or to a person who wants to explore a new area and, and make a different experience. Well, how many inhabitants are there in, well, I can tell you that the, the main commune that is Grzana, I think, boasts, around fifteen thousand people. So it's a pretty significant area. And a thriving marble industry, there are other things that can be. Even if it is not agriculture or or hospitality industry, there are other things that can be connected to create a much broader experience to the visitor or to it. Yeah. So, I mean, so this Valentina network is not, circumscribed just to the food or wine elements in terms of membership. You're thinking of broadening it to other industries? The network was born out of, let's say, agricultural products, artisanal products. We didn't think at the beginning to have a broader representation of of the territory. But in terms of collaboration, we believe we can collaborate and share the project with other industries that belong to the territory. So the Marble industry, for instance, could be the stage for a beautiful event that we may organize. Mhmm. Okay. You know, we we want to create a a network that, develops synergies. Okay. What do you have on your agenda next for the. I know one. One thing you guys planned. You you know something that I don't know? Yeah. Wine to wine. Yes. Okay. Yeah. Yes. There there will be a. Absolutely. A tasting and communication. A moment. We we believe that. It's a wonderful, the opportunity for networking and, to create, contacts and, develop initiatives. So for Val Padena, this is crucial. And, that's why we decided to, to invest in, in this specific show, which is substantial. There are no freals, and, you know, you get straight to the point, and this is what we like, especially when it comes to getting an initiative like this started and developed. So this is one of the things that we we are going to do, this year in in November. Mhmm. Okay. And, the other things that we planned is to participate in, exhibitions and have a, you know, a piece of action in, admittedly. Mhmm. And also in other exhibitions where we can create some forms of collaboration. We are discussing this with, Verona Fierge, and we would like at least to candidate ourselves to be the wine that is offered in all the events that, Verona Fierge organizes It's Marlboro. There is. Oh, okay. And for other vets. So for other fairs within the the Verona Fierge infrastructure. So doing some cross promotion. Yes. Okay. Excellent. So listen, we're going to close-up the interview now, but Working the audience or listeners find more information about reactiveal Pantena. In this portal, say, website, in front of us. Valpantena dot org. That's the website. And it's going to be more populated. We launched it, a few months ago, but it's going to be populated with more information with itineraries, for bikers, for acres, because, you know, there are beautiful trays to to explore. There are gonna be a lot of things to look at, and things that, make, one of the things you can do actually is to embed this interview when it's done into the website so that people can have more information. We'll certainly do our pot. Thank you. And of course, wine to wine, we're looking forward to bringing our speakers and our writers and our special friends to the area to experience the area and maybe have a glass of wine together. Thanks so much for your support. Okay. And that's a wrap here with with us in Corona. That's a wrap. Thank you for joining us on another installment of On The Road Edition, hosted by Stev Kim. Join her again next week for more interesting content in the Italian Warren scene. You can also find us at Italian wine podcast dot com or wherever you get your pods. You can also check out our YouTube channel, mama jumbo shrimp to watch these interviews and the footage captured of each location.