Ep. 2557 From Then to Now: Importing Italian Wine in the U.S. with Leonardo LoCascio of Winebow Inc. | Masterclass US Wine Market

Welcome to Episode 2557 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews Leonardo LoCascio, the founder and former CEO and Chairman of Winebow, Inc. Drawing on decades of experience as one of the most influential importers in the United States, Leonardo shares his perspective on what it truly takes for Italian producers to succeed today. Key Takeaways: Why some Italian wine categories are gaining traction in the U.S. while others are struggling. How importers and distributors assess producer readiness, including portfolio fit, pricing, and long-term strategy. Where Italian wine can realistically win market share in an increasingly competitive and challenging market environment. More about the guest: Leonardo LoCascio is a pioneering figure in the American wine industry and the founder of Winebow, one of the United States’ most respected importers and distributors of fine wine and craft spirits. LoCascio left a successful career in corporate finance and banking to follow his passion for wine, launching Winebow in 1980 with a focus on premium Italian wines. Under his leadership, Winebow expanded its portfolio beyond Italy to include select producers from around the world. LoCascio also created the Leonardo LoCascio Selections label, marked by its gold seal, to showcase wines of character, quality, and authenticity from family-owned estates. Widely recognized for his deep knowledge of wine regions and commitment to education and quality, LoCascio has shared his expertise at tastings, seminars, and industry events across the country. Connect: Website: https://www.winebow.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardo-locascio-884b1aa/ More about the host: Juliana Colangelo is a leading communications and marketing professional for the beverage alcohol industry. Currently, Juliana is a Senior Brand Manager at Frederick Wildman, where she is focused on building their Italian wine portfolio. Prior to that, she led the California Division as a Vice President at Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits communications agency in the U.S. for over 10 years. During her tenure at C&P, Juliana led the development of the California office, growing the agency’s domestic presence to a dedicated office of 15 people with representation of leading wine companies such as Jackson Family Wines, Far Niente, Charles Krug Winery, Foley Family Wines and more. Juliana has completed her WSET Level 3 and her eMBA in Wine Business with Sonoma State University. In 2021, Juliana was named one of PR News’ Top Women in PR in the “Rising Stars” category. In 2022, Juliana became a Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julezcolang/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jules.colangelo/ Twitter: https://x.com/JulezColang LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-colangelo-mba-04345539/ _______________________________ 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!