AND THE NOMINEES ARE: ENOLOGIST CARLO FERRINI, THE SAN PATRIGNANO COMMUNITY WINERY, MEZZACORONA WINERY, AND THE TERROIR OF VALPOLICELLA. THESE ARE THE FOUR ITALIAN NAMES COMPETING IN THE WINE STAR AWARDS 2007 BY THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE WINE ENTHUSIAST

There are four Italian nominations bidding for one of the coveted 2007 “Wine Star Awards”, the prestigious recognition awarded each year by the American magazine Wine Enthusiast (considered one of the most authoritative food & wine magazines in the world). Among the nominees from around the globe, Tuscan enologist Carlo Ferrini has been nominated for “Winemaker of the Year”, the winery of the San Patrignano Community and the Mezzacorona winery from the Trentino region both received a nomination for the “European Winery” category, while the terroir of the Valpollicella (the homeland of Amarone) got a “Wine Region” nomination.

The magazine, whose Italian correspondent is Monica Larner, recently announced its 50 nominations for 2007. The final winners will be chosen in November and prizes awarded on January 28th, 2008 in a ceremony at the New York Public Library.

“We have chosen the San Patrignano Community” – explained Larner – “because it represents a true world case, in the sense that a productive reality like that of San Patrignano does not exist within the international winemaking panorama. A model of success that merits exportation. Mezzacorona, already nominated a couple of years ago, represents another unique case in the international winemaking panorama of a modern and efficient cooperative system. Carlo Ferrini is at his third nomination. Valpolicella is an area of great ferment with notable generational changes within the wineries, and Amarone is a wine that is receiving success in the Anglo-Saxon world”.



The Italian Nominations for the “Wine Star Awards 2007” and Category Competitors

“European Winery 2007”:

San Patrignano (Italy)

Mezzacorona (Italy)

Symington Family Estates (Portugal)

Brndlmayer (Austria)

Boisset (France)



"Winemaker 2007”:

Carlo Ferrini (Italy)

Marc Kent (South Africa)

Marcos Eguren (Spain)

Dan Morgan Lee (California, U.S.A.)

Ernst Loosen (Germany)



"Wine Region 2007”:

Valpolicella (Italy)

Monterey County (California, U.S.A.)

Pessac-Lognan (Bordeaux, France)

Rioja (Spain)

Willamette Valley (Oregon, U.S.A.)

The Other Five Category Nominees for the "Wine Star Awards 2007”

“American Winery 2007”:

Delicato Family Vineyards (California)

Etude (California)

Iron Horse (California)

Quilceda Creek Vintner (Washington State)
Korbel (California)

“New World Winery 2007”

Casa Lapostolle (Chile)

Catena Zapata (Argentina)

Kwv (South Africa)

Leeuwin Estate (Australia)

Villa Maria (New Zealand)



“Distillery 2007”

Hangar One Vodka (U.S.A.)

Herradura Tequila (Mexico)

Jose Quervo (Mexico)

St-Germain (France)

Woodford Reserve (U.S.A.)



“Importer 2007”:

E & J Gallo Winery

Jorge Ordoez

Kobrand Corporation

Shaw-Ross International Inc.

Wilson Daniels Ltd.

“Retailer 2007”:

Garagiste (WA)

Spec's (TX)

Trader Joe's (CA)

Whole Foods (TX)

Wine Library (NJ)



“Wine Personality 2007”:

Ted Baseler (Ste. Michelle Wine Estates)

Ray Chadwick (Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines)

Nicolas Joly (Coule de Serrant, Valle della Loira)

Jancis Robinson (journalist)

David Taub (Palm Bay Imports)