ANTINORI WITH 39% OF THE INDEX, THE SICILIAN WINE CUSUMANO (33%) AND CANTINE FERRARI (30%): THESE ARE THE TOP THREE HIGHEST PROFIT FIRMS ON THE RANKING BY ANNA MARTINO FOR “CORRIERE ECONOMIA”

The first firm is Marchesi Antinori, with an index of 39%; second place goes to the Sicilian winery Cusumano, with 33% and third to Cantine Ferrari of the Lunelli family, with 30%. This is the podium of the companies that obtained the highest profits on the 2013 ranking of the largest Italian wine firms (of which Winenews recently reported their turnovers and numbers). The ranking, compiled by the economic journalist Anna Di Martino for the newspaper "Corriere Economia" (on newsstands April 14th), is based on the ratio between the gross operating margin (EBITDA) and the turnover of the year. In fourth place the Santa Margherita group, led by Ettore Nicoletto, and fifth Marchesi de' Frescobaldi, two regulars in this niche of high profit firms, both improved margins and got the same result, 28.4%.

Among the top five companies, the biggest surprise is the Sicilian winery Cusumano that re-launched Sicilian wine making in the world over the last 10/15 years. Cusumano has improved its index by more than 8 points, while the sparkling wine firm Ferrari has lost 3, but still remains on the podium. Even Masi Agricola lost a bit more than 2 points, but stayed at 28% and is ranked 6th. Other regulars of this special ranking are Ruffino (22%, losing a little more than 1 point) and Barone Ricasoli (21%, 3 points less); Guido Berlucchi increased from 18.5% in 2012 to 22% and is on the ranking; Umberto Cesari (from 19.2% to 21.7%), Donnafugata (20.9%, +1%). The Azienda Vinicola Falesco owned by Riccardo and Renzo Cotarella (but now firmly led by their daughters) is one of the "new entries" in the overall 2013 standings, with a super- index of 26.5%.



Focus - The companies that achieved the highest profits in the 2013 ranking of the largest Italian wineries (Position, Winery, 2013 EBITDA% of turnover)

1 - Gruppo Marchesi Antinori - 39%

2 - Cusumano - 33%

3 - Ferrari Fratelli Lunelli - 30%

4 - Santa Margherita – 28.4%

5 - Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi – 28.4%

6 - Masi Agricola - 28%

7 - Azienda vinicola Falesco – 26.5

8 - Ruffino - 22%

9 - Guido Berlucchi - 22%

10 - Umberto Cesari – 21.7%

11 - Barone Ricasoli - 21%

12 - Donnafugata – 20.9%

13 - Terra Moretti - 19%

14 - Corte Giara/Allegrini - 19%

15 - Conte Tasca d’Almerita – 18.5%

16 - Argiolas – 18.4%

17 - Feudi di San Gregorio – 18.4%

18 - Planeta - 18%

19 - Umani Ronchi - 18%