WE: Lamberto Frescobaldi, Villa Sparina, Barone Pizzini and Santa Margherita USA in nomination

Lamberto Frescobaldi, at the helm of one of Italy’s most prestigious and historical wine companies, the Marchesi Frescobaldi group, the expression of a family now in its 30th generation, will compete for the title of “Wine Executive of the Year” with Michelle DeFeo, president of Laurent-Perrier U.S., Jon Guggino, executive vice president of marketing for Delicato Family Wines, Margareth Henriquez, president and ceo of Krug Champagne, and Eugenia Keegan of Jackson Family Wines; the Piedmontese winery Villa Sparina, one of the icons of the Gavi area, and the Franciacorta-based Barone Pizzini, on the other hand, will compete for the title of “European Winery of the Year” with Portugal’s Aveleda, Germany’s Bertram-Baltes and France’s Château de Saint Cosme; Santa Margherita USA, the importer arm of the Santa Margherita group, headed by the Marzotto family and CEO Beniamino Garofalo, one of the most important Italian wine producers (with wineries such as Santa Margherita, Kettmeir, Cà del Bosco, Mesa, Lamole di Lamole, Cà Maiol and others), will also be competing for the “Importer of the Year” prize. Here are the Italian nominations for the prestigious “Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Awards”, one of the most coveted recognitions on the wine scene, awarded for 22 editions by the popular American magazine (whose Italian editor is Kerin O'Keefe). The winners will be announced and celebrated on February 7, 2022, in Miami. Italy’s DiSaronno, the top Italian Amaretto brand owned by the Illva Saronno group (which also controls the Sicilian wineries Florio, Corvo and Duca di Salaparuta) is also competing in the “Spirit Brand/Distiller of the Year” category.