Fairs Of Verona Congratulates Gallo Of Sonoma On Second Premio Gran Vinitaly Win

Dr. Lucio Caputo, US Representative of the Fairs of Verona, hosted a small dinner celebration at New York's landmark San Domenico restaurant to present Gallo of Sonoma Winemaker Gina Gallo with her second Premio Gran VinItaly Award. Minister Giorgio Radicati, Consul General-New York, attended the dinner in honor of the young winemaker and added his own congratulations to Dr. Caputo's presentation.



The Premio Gran VinItaly award is officially presented at VinItaly in Verona to the wine maker whose efforts produce the most number of medals in the rigorous judging at the international competition. More than 2,500 wines from 28 countries were entered in this year's competition. Only 86 medals were awarded. Gallo of Sonoma previously won this prestigious award in 1998.

Gina Gallo told the dinner guests, "I want to dedicate this award to my Grandfather Julio and my Great Uncle Ernest. We are blessed to be able to build on their achievements. The foundation they built, and that our parents continued to build, gives us incredible opportunities to produce great wines. If we attract attention, it is


because we stand on the shoulders of giants."

Guests at the dinner included leaders of the New York fine wine and restaurant businesses, and a select number of authors and journalists who write about food and wines.

In presenting the award, which was announced in Italy at the annual VinItaly wine fair in Verona, Dr. Caputo noted the unusual achievement of winning the award not once, but twice, and praised the winemaking Gallo family for setting an example of what can be achieved by Italian families in America.

In accepting the award, Gina Gallo acknowledged the efforts of her winemaking team in Sonoma County and the pioneering work done by the two generations of Gallo winemakers who preceded her. She also gave her thanks, through Minister Radicati, to the people of Italy for teaching Americans so much about the enjoyment of food and wine.

The wines entered into this judging by Gallo of Sonoma are produced at the Gallo Family's winery located in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley. Sonoma County has garnered considerable acclaim for its success in producing wines that win top awards from around the world.

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