We welcome the new president of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium, Sergio Zingarelli !

Zingarelli is owner of the Rocca della Macìe winery in Chianti’s Castellina region.  He is the thirteenth president in the history of Italy’s oldest wine consortium.

The appointment was made yesterday by the new board of directors, who entrust to the new president the delicate task of guiding the consortium through the challenges of today’s wine market with its fiercer and fiercer global competition.

Like his father Italo, a famous film producer, Zingarelli has always been passionately interested in the wine world and has long been involved in the work of Italy’s oldest wine consortium: in 1995 he joined its board of directors, in 2003 was elected vice-president of the earlier Historical Chianti Classico Brand (Black Rooster) Consortium and since 2009 has been vice-president of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium.

In addition to his love for enology he has many other interests, first and foremost for the arts and fine cuisine.

In fact, for 17 years he was president of the Amici della Lirica (Friends of Opera) committee, at Rocca della Macie organizing an international opera singers’ competition to help young talent get a foothold in a world so difficult to enter.

Sergio is also a fine athlete, playing sports like volleyball and soccer, and his recent passion for marathon running has had him competing in races the world over, most recently last year in New York.

The appointment was made by consensus of the consortium’s board of directors which includes vintners, bottlers, wine cooperatives and other trade who share the goal of further increasing quality of the Chianti Classico wines and provide guarantees to consumers and trade in the marketplace.

Zingarelli is the thirteenth president of the consortium since its founding in 1924, and follows President Marco Pallanti.  The turnover in presidents takes place at a time particularly important for the consortium and for the future of the Chianti Classico denomination.  In fact, at the end of Pallanti’s term this year, on May 28, the members’ assembly approved an “overhaul” of the denomination proposed by the board of directors after a two-year study of the measures required for further valorizing the Black Rooster appellation.

The changes in production regulations foreseen by this “revamping” include valorizing the Riserva through new production rules, the birth of a new category of Chianti Classico at the summit of the qualitative pyramid and a restyling of the Black Rooster logo that will appear on the governmental neckband to increase its visibility.

“I am very pleased about this appointment, especially because it expressed the will of the entire consortium, including the small wineries. The three years ahead of me will surely not be easy, and I hope to successfully continue the path pursued by president Pallanti and help to consolidate and further valorize one of the top Italian and international wines.”

Elected vice-presidents to guide the consortium together with Sergio Zingarelli were Filippo Mazzei (Marchesi Mazzei) and Giovanni Manetti (Fontodi).