University of Sannio awards Riccardo Cotarella an Honorary degree in Economics and Management

Two honorary degrees for Riccardo Cotarella, one of the most famous Italian winemakers, president of the Italian sommeliers association, Assoenologi and of the Union Internationale des Enologues. The University of Tuscia (where he teaches Viticulture and Oenology) awarded him a degree in Agriculture and now, on March 1st, the University of Sannio will award him an Honorary Degree in Economics and Management.
“The University of Sannio awards this Honorary Degree to an innovative researcher and enlightened entrepreneur, untiring in the development of a completely new managerial and global approach towards the production of wine and the culture and economy of the territories”, explained the University.
A further recognition linked not only to his profession of winemaker, but also to his constant social commitment, “accompanying the youth of the community of San Patrignano in the process of recovery and agro-wine training, participating in the "Wine for Life" project of the Community of Sant Egidio and following the Cremisan winery in Bethlehem (Palestine), one of the most important communities of Salesian priests. In all of these experiences, Cotarella has shown that the multidimensional value of wine can become a "means" of redemption, rebirth, inclusion and renewal of the community”.
Further, the particular attention he has shown to the viticulture of Southern Italy, emphasized the University of Sannio, and “Cotarella’s strong commitment to the protection of the territory-wine connection, showing that great wines can be created not only from suitable territories but there is a less known Italy which deserves to be valued as territories of great wines. His merit is having discovered and enhanced less fortunate areas as wine territories, revitalizing entire local economies. He has always maintained a privileged relationship with the lands of the South, showing special attention and care to the territories and vines of Southern Italy. In recent years he has given, and is still giving, a great contribution to the viticulture of Campania, collaborating with important regional companies and, especially with "La Guardiense", one of the most important winegrowing cooperatives in Southern Italy operating in the Sannio territory. Cotarella’s presence in the Sannio has marked a turning point in the evolutionary path of viticulture. In just a few years it has lead to prestigious awards that have brought the wines of the Sannio area to the attention of the vast audience of national and international experts, opening up new perspectives for the economic-social development of the local territory”.