Ep. 682 Tanya Morningstar Darling & Donatella Cinelli Colombini | Clubhouse Ambassador's Corner

Welcome to episode 2279 of the Italian Wine Podcast, and episode 182 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Marc’s guest today is Svetlana Melnichenko, export manager for Montalbera, a family-run winery in Piemonte. More about today’s guest: Svetlana Melnichenko is a seasoned wine professional with over 20 years of international experience in sales, business development, and export management. Her expertise spans key account management, international marketing, PR, and event organization. She currently serves as Senior Export Manager at Montalbera. The Montalbera Winery was founded at the beginning of the 20th century in an area located in the townships of Grana, Castagnole Monferrato and Montemagno. Montalbera’s property extends over 115 hectares cultivated with vineyards in the Monferrato and Langhe. Montalbera is the largest private producer of Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato.  Connect: Website:https://www.montalbera.it/index.php?l=en Instagram: https://instagram.com/montalbera Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svetlana-melnichenko-a746633a More about the host Marc Millon: Marc Millon, a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador since 2021, is a celebrated expert in the world of wine, food, and travel, boasting nearly 40 years of experience. Born in Mexico to a diverse family—his mother hailing from Hawaii via Korea and his father, an anthropologist, from New York via Paris—Marc was introduced to a rich tapestry of flavors from an early age. Together with his talented photographer wife, Kim, Marc has authored 14 acclaimed books, including the groundbreaking illustrated series The Wine Roads of Europe, The Wine Roads of France, The Wine Roads of Italy (winner of the Premio Barbi Colombini), and The Wine Roads of Spain. His other notable works include The Wine and Food of Europe, The Food Lovers’ Companion Italy, The Food Lovers’ Companion France, and Wine: A Global History. In addition to his writing, Marc is a sought-after speaker and hosts gastronomic cultural tours to Italy and France in partnership with Martin Randall Travel, a leading specialist in cultural travel. Since 2021, he has also been the engaging host of the “Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon” series on the Italian Wine Podcast. When he's not exploring the culinary landscapes of the world, Marc resides along the scenic River Exe in Devon, England. Connect: Website:  https://www.quaypress.uk   https://www.marcmillon.co.uk  https://www.vino.co.uk    https://www.quaypress.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-millon-50868624/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Marc_Millon  _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin! Thanks for listening! This show is all about food and wine pairings, and traveling through Italy with Marc. Join him on this food, wine and cultural journey!

11 Mar 202537min

Welcome to Episode 2278 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode of the Masterclass US Wine Market, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Alisha Zaveri, the Digital Account Director at Colangelo and Partners. Key takeaways: Tiktok and how wineries can engage with it Mastering algorithms on existing digital platforms Diversifying marketing mix on multiple channels More about the guest:  Alisha Zaveri is a global communications and digital marketing expert with experience across the US, UK, India, and Singapore. Specializing in food and beverage marketing and consumer packaged goods (CPG) branding, she excels in digital strategy, social media growth, and influencer marketing. As a media strategist and content creator, Alisha develops multi-channel marketing campaigns, secures top-tier media coverage, and builds engaged online communities. She is the Digital Account Director at Colangelo & Partners, a top wine and spirits PR agency known for brand storytelling, social media strategy, and influencer collaborations in the beverage industry. Connect: Website: https://www.colangelopr.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisha-zaveri-65411a44/ More about the host: Barbara Fitzgerald With nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara Fitzgerald is a leader in D2C wine marketing, business strategy, and brand growth. Coming from a 4th-generation Italian-American winemaking family, she has spent her life immersed in wine growing, production, and hospitality, gaining experience across top California wineries. As an Italian Wine Ambassador, Barbara bridges the gap between Italian and U.S. wine markets, helping wineries develop consumer-focused strategies through Apri La Creative Consulting. She also co-owns a boutique wine production company and an Italian wine import business, blending her passion for authentic winemaking with modern marketing expertise. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilabottiglia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fitzgerald-iwa/ Website: https://www.aprilacreative.com _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast    If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/   Until next time, Cin Cin!

10 Mar 202542min

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2277 of the Italian Wine Podcast. Today, Karla Ravagnolo interviews wine marketing professional, Striker Reese. More about today’s guest:  Striker Reese was born in Columbia, SC. With a lifelong passion for wine moving to Washington DC to pursue a career in wine. Graduating with his Masters in management from The Catholic University of America. Working in wine retail and marketing wine from brands all New Zealand to Virginia. Striker is the current marketing chair for The Bourgogne Board for the roots fund and founder of Anime & Wine combining his interest in wine with the unique world of anime and manga to engage new audiences in the world of wine.  Connect:  Website: https://www.animeandwine.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animeandwine/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/striker-reese-444a281ba/ More about today’s host: Born in the Dominican Republic, Karla Ravagnolo holds the WSET Level 3 Certificate and has an endless curiosity for all things wine and beverage. Her never-ending quest for knowledge has led her to multiple international beverage experiences in Italy, the USA and Japan. During her time at Colangelo & Partners, a New-York based wine PR agency, she recognized the challenges of conveying the cultural, geographical and historical value of Italian wine to an international and inter-generational audience. Her goal has always been to make wine more approachable and inclusive, through sharing authentic experiences and making real interpersonal connections! Connect:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlamassielravagnolo/  _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

9 Mar 202535min

Welcome to Episode 2276, where Jessica Dupuy interviews the experienced wine and liquor marketing executive Sandra Spalding. Together, they dive into the Austin market and decode the concept of "Italianality.'" Italian Wine Podcast is a proud media partner of Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening and is pleased to present this series of interviews recorded for this year’s event. The fourth edition of the Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening (BBWO) takes place in Austin, Texas on 25 March 2025. This year, the spotlight shines on three southwestern states, with educational events and dedicated tastings taking place in Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio in Texas as well as Phoenix, Arizona; and Denver, Colorado throughout February 2025. Join us as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this renowned event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry. More about today’s guest: Sandra Spalding has worked with wine and spirits in restaurants and retail for over 25 years. She honed her hospitality skills while working for the Memphis Restaurant Group in Orange County. After moving to Austin, Sandra gravitated to Twin Liquors, recognizing a kindred spirit and shared vision in the family company. She quickly moved through the ranks as Regional Sales Manager overseeing 50+ stores to her current role as Director of Marketing.  Throughout her journey, Sandra has kept a focus on fine wine, food, and cocktails, both in business and in life. Connect: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-spalding/ Website: https://twinliquors.com/   More about today’s host: Jessica Dupuy is a seasoned writer covering wine, spirits, and travel from Austin, Texas. She holds a Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, as well as a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits from the Society of Wine Educators. Her work has been featured in prestigious publications, including Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Imbibe, Texas Monthly, Forbes, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, VinePair, and Southern Living. Jessica is the author of The Wines of Southwest USA and six regional cookbooks. Additionally, she co-hosts the podcast Another Bottle Down, where she shares her insights and passion for the world of wine. Connect: Website: https://www.jessicadupuy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicandupuy/ Twitter: https://x.com/jessicandupuy _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

8 Mar 202529min

Welcome to Episode 2275 of the Italian Wine Podcast coming live from the Grandi Langhe 2025 in Piedmont. Today’s guest is the international wine writer, educator, judge and speaker, Michaela Morris. As the official media partner, Italian Wine Podcast brings you firsthand insights from Grandi Langhe 2025—Piedmont’s premier wine event. Join top producers, buyers, and experts as they explore emerging styles, vineyard innovations, and market trends shaping the region's future. From Barolo and Barbaresco to hidden gems, this series offers in-depth interviews and behind-the-scenes access, revealing Piedmont’s impact on the global wine stage. More about today’s guest:  Michaela Morris is an international wine writer, educator, judge and speaker based in Vancouver, Canada, with frequent engagements in Italy. Besides writing for several Canadian publications including Taste and Quench, Michaela contributes to Meininger’s Wine Business International and Decanter online and print magazines. Michaela successfully completed the Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s (WSET) Diploma in 2006 and is an instructor for the program in Vancouver. She was one of the first Certified Italian Wine Experts through Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) in 2015. She also co-created the curriculum for VIA’s Italian Wine Maestro course piloting the program in Vancouver in 2017 prior to its international launch.  Connect: Website: https://michaelamorris.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MichaelaWine/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

7 Mar 20257min

Welcome to Episode 2274 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way! These episodes are generally in Italian. Today’s question comes from James McNay. Today’s question(s):  Can you please go into detail about the physiological effect of altitude, temperature and temperature differential on a vine, and how these factors influence the wine in the glass? I'm particularly interested in Priè Blanc and in the Nebbiolo of Carema, Donnas and Valtellina. Potrebbe gentilmente analizzare l'effetto fisiologico dell'altitudine, della temperatura e della variazione di temperatura sulla vite, e come questi fattori influenzano il vino nel calice? Sono specialmente interessato al Priè Blanc ed al Nebbiolo di Carema, Donnas e Valtellina. More about Professor Scienza: Professor Atillio Scienza is the one who checks all the facts and regulates when we mistakenly type “Verdicchio” instead of “Vermentino.” He is a full professor at the University of Milan in the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences where he teaches courses on genetic improvements to the vine; he also teaches Viticulture in the Master’s program of the University of Turin in Asti. He has been the lead for many national research projects in the field of physiology, agricultural techniques, and vine genetics. As the author of over 350 publications on vine and viticulture in national and international journals, you can bet he knows his stuff! To find out more about Attilio Scienza visit: https://www.vinitaly.com/formazione/vinitaly-international-academy/attilio-scienza/  If you want to learn more about Stevie Kim, the Scienza wrangler: Stevie often joins Professor Scienza in his shows to lend a hand keeping our Professor in check! You can also find her taking a hit for the team when she goes “On the Road”, all over the Italian countryside, visiting wineries and interviewing producers, enjoying their best food and wine – all in the name of bringing us great Pods! To find out more about Stevie Kim visit: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steviekim222/ Website: https://www.vinitaly.com/eventi/operawine/stevie-kim/  _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin! Share your love for our lovely Professor if you are a true Italian Wine Geek :)

7 Mar 202513min

Welcome to Episode 2273, where we present a session recording from the wine2wine Business Forum 2024. Today’s session is entitled “Engaging the Next Generation: The Future of Italian Wine Communication”. The session features Michaela Morris, DipWSET; Justin Noland; Jessica Dupuy DipWSET; Chris Struck; and Alojz Felix Jermann. Key talking points include: Reaching new audiences through social media  Communicating with younger generations  Who’s drinking NOLO wines? Why are they drinking it?  Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a media partner of wine2wine Business Forum and is pleased to present this series of market-focus sessions, recorded in Verona in November 2024. wine2wine Business Forum is an international wine business event held annually in Verona, Italy since 2014. The event is a key reference point for wine producers and wine professionals from around the world, providing an opportunity to network, develop and expand their wine business worldwide. Find more about the session at:  https://www.vinitaly.com/en/events-calendar/wine2wine/ticket-wine2wine-business-forum-2024/engaging-the-next-generation-the-future-of-italian-wine-communication/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

6 Mar 202543min

Welcome to Episode 2272 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Ambassadors’ Corner on Clubhouse. In this episode Italian Wine Ambassador Alberto Rivera interviews Giovanna Neri of Col di Lamo winery. Today’s learning objectives: To explore Giovanna’s transition from an Italian attorney to a winemaker in Montalcino. To examine the role of women in the Italian wine industry, especially in Tuscany. To reflect on how wine can evoke memories and deepen appreciation over time. Co-Moderator – Alberto Rivera: Alberto majored in International Relations and worked as a diplomat in Tokyo, as well as under a United Nations mandate to promote the Sustainable Development Goals within Chihuahua’s regional policies. After the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, he decided to take his passion for wine tasting to a professional level. He completed the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and followed his love for Italy by combining these interests as an Italian wine instructor on an online education platform in Mexico. Last year, he set his sights on earning the title of Italian Wine Ambassador, which he achieved in April 2024. It remains one of the proudest milestones of his wine journey, especially as one of the youngest candidates to pass the exam. Today, he’s a professional wine educator and consultant based in Chihuahua, Mexico. Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EaAWoxQjW/?mibextid=LQQJ4d Instagram: @somm.albertorivera LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/y-alberto-rivera-o/ About the guest - Giovanna Neri: What makes her estate’s wines so special is Giovanna’s ability to express in her wines the all-consuming love that only a woman, a mother, feels for her children. Giovanna Neri has a degree in law, but also inherited her father’s love of wine, and has become a highly successful and sought-after wine-maker. Giovanna’s unique touch is now supported by that of her daughter, Diletta. Their great enthusiasm, commitment and dedication have made Col di Lamo one of the most dynamic, refined wines of the Montalcino area. Connect: Website: https://www.coldilamo.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coldilamo_digiovannaneri/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin! Follow Italian Wine Podcast for more great content – winery interviews from the Clubhouse sessions!  Psssst…FYI this show is our most popular show, find out why by tuning-in!

6 Mar 202540min