Zonin
A History We Are Proud To Share
The ZONIN Brand has always celebrated the lightness, beauty and positivity that permeate our everyday lives, made up of shared pleasures and happy moments when we raise a celebratoey glass with our family, our friends and all the people we love most.
The history of ZONIN is strongly tied to the honest and lively passion of an Italian family that, for over 200 years and 7 generations, has been cultivating, interpreting and handing down a unique cultural heritage with a constant eye to the future.
Via this exceptional Heritage, ‘running a business well’, and the quality of its highly appreciated, nationally and internationally award-winning products, ZONIN has contributed to exporting Made in Italy excellence around the world, enabling Italy’s prestigious wine culture to spread far and wide.
History
From The Hills Of Gambellara To The End Of The World
Through the family, ZONIN has kept alive the strong bond it has cultivated over time with its native land, the vineyards and the small village in the heart of the Veneto region, nestled among superb artistic and architectural treasures. It is here in Gambellara that the Zonin Family produces the still wines and the DOC and DOCG sparkling wines that make up the Zonin range.
Over the years, the age-old dedication of the Zonin Family has enabled it to built up a benchmark brand in Italian and international wine production.
From the hills of gambellara to the end of the world: Step by step, the age-old dedication of the Zonin Family has successfully built a benchmark brand in Italian and international winemaking.
Through the family, ZONIN has kept alive the strong bond that it has lovingly cultivated with its native land, vineyards and the small town in the heart of the Veneto region, nestled among superb artistic and architectural treasures. It is here in Gambellara that the Zonin Family produces the still wines and the DOC and DOCG sparkling wines that constitute the Zonin range.
1500
The origins of the Zonin Family in Gambellara date back to 1500. The family tree reveals that Bernardino de Zonin (1470 – 1550) who lived in Malo, in the province of Vicenza, was the founding father. His son Piero (1500 – 1575) moved to Gambellara at a young age, where he took up residence and married Donna Francesca. Gambellara sits at the start of the foothills of the Lessini mountains, in the heart of the Veneto region, between Verona and Vicenza, and has been renowned over the centuries for its wine production.
In a 1st-century Roman villa, some findings relating to an ancient grape harvest suggest that the tradition of vine cultivation in this area dates back to more than 2000 years ago. There is, therefore, an historical link between the village of Gambellara and wine, whose vicissitudes are intertwined with the story of the Zonin Family: if the history of wine is linked to this geographical area, the history of the family is intertwined with both, given that documentary records reveal the first traces of the family in this area as early as the 1500s.
Cadastral records mentioning Giovanni Battista and Girolamo Antonio as owners of a vineyard date back to 1821, marking the beginning of the adventures of the Zonin family in the world of wine.
1800
But it was in the nineteenth century that important impetus was provided for viticulture in this area. Thanks to the commitment and passion of local families, this area began to take on the appearance that we recognize today, made up of vineyards that embrace the rolling hills, almost looking like an immense, well-manicured garden. The life and times of the Zonin Family are part of this story, a story that would go on to tie the family ever more firmly to these hills and vineyards.
1821
The Zonin Family originated in Gambellara and has lived in this Venetian village for many generations. In a cadastral map of the census municipalities of Sorio and Gambellara Vicentina dated 1821, mention is made of the ‘owners’ of a ‘Ronco Arborato Vitato’ (land with vineyards supported and extended over live trees) on the hills and of ‘Arativi Arborati Vitati (land with rows of vines supported and extended mainly via dry wood), namely Giovanni Battista Zonin and Girolamo Antonio Zonin. The dream of a life in the world of wine was about to begin.
1899
Domenico Zonin, the second of ten brothers, was born in 1899 into a family of farmers. He immediately demonstrated resourcefulness and curiosity, especially as regards the world of wine. Hence, from a young age, he became involved in the family business of growing vineyards located in the hills of Gambellara.
1921
As soon as the Great War had ended, at the age of only 22, he asked his father for his inheritance and used the money to set up a small-scale production of wines and liqueurs that he supplied to the neighboring areas. This is how Cantine Zonin came to be founded, in Gambellara, in the year 1921. Despite the hardships of the war and the post-war period, the business continued to expand thanks to Domenico Zonin’s great passion for wine and his determination to enhance his native area.
1938
In 1938 Gianni Zonin was born, the eldest of Domenico Zonin’s grandchildren. After graduating in Oenology in Conegliano in 1957, the young winemaker, Gianni, joined the company at the age of 19. During the first years he expanded and deepened his understanding of the technical, commercial, purchasing and human resources aspects of the business. This privileged position would enable him, at a later stage, to make particularly wise and farsighted strategic decisions.
1965
With the well-being that accompanied the post-war economic boom, wine consumption in Italy also began to evolve and bottles of wine appeared more and more frequently on dining tables every day. Lifestyles also changed in the 1960s. In 1965, the new DOC law was enacted, replacing old wine legislation that dated back to 1925. With the first regulations issued to govern the DOC appellations, and thanks also to news and information provided by journalists, Italian consumers became more aware and careful in seeking out better quality wine . What changed, above all, was the wine itself: the market began to value the ‘denominations of origin’ and grape varieties, with a particular emphasis on native vines and regional consumption.
1967
In this historical period, contact with foreign markets was experienced for the first time – in particular Germany, the United States, Belgium and Switzerland – which made it possible to enhance corporate culture, creating the conditions for the export of Made in Italy products at a supranational level.
1970s
In the 1970s, ZONIN wines found ever greater favor with Italians, who proved to be discerning and demanding consumers. In this period, in conjunction with the launch of the new company logo, the lion of St Mark, a new phase began for the company which would ultimately lead to the acclaim that the brand now enjoys all over the world. The decision to adopt the lion of St Mark as the company logo stemmed from the Zonin Family’s desire to underscore its ties with the Veneto region, marking the start of an adventure that has continued for almost two centuries.
1975
The success that ZONIN began to achieve in this period was due not only to the characteristics of its wines, but also to a meticulous operation focusing on its corporate image. In order to build a direct relationship with Italian consumers, the company chose to communicate with them via one of the most innovative channels available at the time: television. Between the end of 1975 and the beginning of 1976, the first ZONIN commercial aired on the show Carosello. Thanks to the quality of the products, innovative communication and eclecticism in distribution, during those years the ZONIN brand became synonymous with home, familiarity and hospitality: ZONIN became a ‘companion’ to Italian families by lightly and positively celebrating the sharing of happy moments in everyday life via the raising of a glass with loved ones.
1980s
In this phase, the Zonin family came to understand that producing a good wine was not sufficient to guarantee consumer loyalty. The success of the brand could only be assured via its ability to transmit to the consumer all the passion, enthusiasm and work that lies behind every single bottle. At this point in time, the Zonin Family decided to take on a new challenge: to venture beyond the Italian market and to win over wine lovers beyond Italian borders.
1990s
From Italian Families to ‘Families from all over the world’. The ZONIN brand continued developing and strengthening its international distribution: a positive approach that would lead the ZONIN brand to be increasingly recognized among the Italian brands that have exported the Made in Italy ethos around the world.
2000s
In the 2000s, the new generation entered the company: Domenico, Francesco and Michele Zonin, who inherited their father’s passion for winemaking. Gradually entering the company with operational roles of increasing responsibility and business management, the three brothers – and the seventh generation of the ZONIN Family – are responsible for consolidating the company’s distribution partnerships on a global level, launching the subsidiaries that operate in the United States, England, Sweden and China, managing the company (thanks to the support of various international professionals) but also defining the identity of the Group: ZONIN is no longer a family business but a modern international company that has never lost touch with its founding Values, impassioned enthusiasm for the culture of wine, care for local wine traditions and the entrepreneurial vision transmitted by its founder, Domenico Zonin.
2010s
To show their great respect for the cultural tradition preserved and interpreted by the company for generations, the Zonin brothers have set up a fascinating exhibition in Gambellara called ‘Una storia di vite. Territori, Culture e Saperi custoditi dalla Famiglia Zonin’.
Covering almost two centuries of history, this fascinating exhibition covers historically very valuable wine tools and equipment as well as books, engravings, proclamations and edicts relating to the world of wine dating back to the 16th-19th centuries, a set of elegant Murano glasses and a collection of ancient corkscrews. There is also a particularly interesting collection of over 14,000 stamps dedicated to vines and wine.
Increasing numbers of wine lovers from all over the world come to Gambellara every year. This pretty, lush little town between Verona and
Vicenza welcomes curious enthusiasts to discover the spirit of this unrivalled heritage that so ably expresses the ethos and culture of ‘Made in Italy’ production.
ZONIN Prosecco
An iconic wine that is appreciated all over the world and successfully expresses the italian lifestyle: Positive energy, fun, and the joy of spending time together and sharing unforgettable moments.
ZONIN Prosecco continues to garner prestigious awards and coveted national and international trophies, underlining its reputation for excellence and reliability, including James Suckling, Berliner Wein Trophy, International Wine Challenge, Asia Wine Trophy, Falstaff, The WineHunter Award and Mundus Vini.Wines
«Over the course of seven generations and thanks to the support of numerous collaborators, the Zonin Family has forged an indissoluble bond with its area of origin – the village and the hills of Gambellara in Veneto – dedicating itself with impassioned enthusiasm and devotion to the realization of a dream. Today ZONIN wines, from among the most prestigious local DOC and DOCG appellations, grace the tables of families in over 100 countries around the world.
ZONIN wines continue to garner prestigious awards and coveted national and international trophies, underlining their reputation for excellence and reliability. Acclaim has come from headline names in the sector including James Suckling, Berliner Wein Trophy, International Wine Challenge, Asia Wine Trophy, Falstaff, The WineHunter Award and Mundus Vini.»
Wine Tasting And Education
A place open to the public all year round, it is particularly appreciated by winelovers from all over the world. Here; The sale ZONIN’S prestigious wines, which continue to garner coveted awards and prestigious acclaim, is combined with wine education.
Thanks to a ‘little club’ dedicated to the promotion of wine culture, we organize guided tastings of our wines and prestigious vintages for all wine enthusiasts in the lush green, picturesque setting of Gambellara.
We are also delighted to welcome groups from schools, universities and educational institutions, enabling us to share our wine culture with upcoming generations.
The ZONIN 1821 Group
Founded in 1821 in Gambellara, Veneto, ZONIN 1821 is a group that produces quality Made in Italy products, renowned for having contributed to the international export of Italian wine-growing culture and its valued products.
The beating heart of this all-Italian entrepreneurial reality is the Zonin Family, which for seven generations and over two hundred years of history has cultivated, interpreted and handed down a unique cultural heritage with a progressive look to the future: care for the territory, enhancement of local wine-making traditions, respect for biodiversity, technical experimentation, innovation in production processes and sustainable development are the elements that express the company’s DNA.
With a turnover of approximately 200 million euros and goals for strong expansion at the global level, today the group is led by an international management team headed by Pietro Mattioni, as the CEO, alongside the brothers Domenico, Francesco and Michele Zonin, who respectively hold the roles of President and Vice President.
- 200 years: Seven generations of heritage.
- 9 estates: 4000 hectares, 1600 planted with vines.
- 199,50 million euros: Revenue in 2022.
- 85% export: To over 140 countries around the world.
Our Estates
We are committed to preserving the link between the various terroirs and their cultures. For 200 years, we have invested in quality viticultural regions across Italy and beyond, always with an unwavering respect for the land, a commitment to thoughtful evolution, and our driving entrepreneurial spirit.
Castello Di Albola
Radda in Chianti, Tuscany, Ital
Highest Hills Of Chianti Classico
On the highest hills in Chianti Classico, in the lush greenery of an age-old natural environment, for centuries beauty has inspired excellence. Nestled in the silence of enchanted lands, inhabited over the centuries by the most noble Tuscan families such as the Acciaioli, Pazzi, Samminiati and Ginori Conti, Castello di Albola pays tribute to this land’s most precious fruit, Sangiovese, in search of its purest expressions.
From Pian d’Albola a constellation of cru extends between ancient farms and oak woods, reaching up to the highest peaks in the Chianti hills, sketching an extraordinarily beautiful landscape. The vineyards of Castello di Albola, each with diverse soil composition, altitude and exposure to sunlight, yield wines of exceptional finesse and elegance, with subtle and sophisticated nuances tending to an ideal model of harmony and perfection.
Ca’ Bolani
Extraordinary Biodiversity Of Friuli
Traversed by 999 cypress trees that celebrate and safeguard extraordinary biodiversity, Ca’ Bolani is an estate where vines and nature thrive in perfect harmony. Nestled in Aquileia, between the Alps and the sea of Friuli, in an area where viticulture has existed since Roman times, the estate benefits from ideal conditions for wine production: summer sea breezes, the protective barrier of the Alps, marked temperature fluctuations and a variety of soils which, descending towards the sea, slowly change in composition from clay and gravel to sand. The estate boasts a unique viticultural heritage in the form of a ‘garden of vineyards’ yielding wines distinguished by their fragrance and aromatic fullne.
Principi Di Butera
Contrada Deliella, Sicily, Ital
An Ancient Feudal Domain Nestled In A Luxuriant and Peaceful Oasis In Sicily
In the deepest and most austere heartlands of Sicily lies an oasis of rare and exquisite beauty, home to Sicily’s greatest native grape varieties and the chosen habitat of Nero d’Avola. The estate surrounds an ancient manor that belonged to the Princes of Butera, in one of the most mineral-rich areas on the Island, a stone’s throw from the Mediterranean coasts and situated between the Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples) and Piazza Armerina.
The variety and organic content of the lands, combined with the particularity of a microclimate that benefits from sea breezes, make these ancient lands the ideal place for sustainable viticulture and a unique reserve for biodiversity. These terroirs, with their colourful citrus fruits and scents of Mediterranean scrub, yield elegant wines with refined fragrances and ideal intensity and freshness.
Masseria Altemura
Breeze Of Two Seas
Masseria Altemura is located in the heart of Puglia, halfway between the Ionian and the Adriatic Seas. A unique terroir, thanks to the extraordinary light, the fresh perennial breezes of the two seas and land dominated by white limestone rocks and the red soil of Salento.
The estate extends within the Primitivo di Manduria DOC denomination, in the Province of Brindisi, and consists of an ancient 17th-century Masseria (farmhouse) and a contemporary-style winery in a singe location, surrounded by lush green vineyards and olive groves.
Oltrenero
Zenevredo, Lombardy, Italy
Oltrepò Pavese
Oltrepò Pavese is an expression that contains a multitude of worlds: from the prodigious natural variety of soils and terrains, to the historical continuity of vine cultivation, much loved by Gallic tribes and brought back into vogue by Benedictine monks in the Middle Ages.
The Tenuta Oltrenero estate embodies the many souls of the area, with its vineyards lovingly tended like gardens and consisting of typical, traditional varieties as well as international grapes. In particular Pinot Nero and Croatina, the latter for the production of Bonarda, a cult wine from Oltrepò and part of Italian tradition, the pride of Tenuta Oltrenero and its best-selling wine.
Zenevredo is a perfect terroir for wines with character, intense aromas. Aimed at providing pure pleasure, they are the natural expression of a generous wine growing area.
Tuscan Coast
The slopes of Montemassi, in the heart of the Maremma at its most authentic, yield fine wines that embody an irreverent and daring Tuscany, where emotions are forged by the ardour of the land and the purity of the sea. From Vermentino to the Super Tuscans, Rocca di Montemassi represents a new milestone in Tuscan winemaking and attests to the excellence of this winegrowing area, giving full reign to outstanding creativity.
Right here, between the Colline Metallifere (Metalliferous Hills) and the Tyrrhenian Sea, lies a 100% Tuscan and 100% sustainable Wine Farm, combining the diverse souls of the Maremma
Castello Del Poggio
Asti, Piedmont, Italy
The Asti region has been acknowledged over the centuries as an emblem of Italian viticulture and oenology. The Castello del Poggio estate is located in this extraordinary area, once a chosen arena of action for the legendary Knights Templar.
The estate, which has noble origins, was named after the medieval fortification that once belonged to the Buneis Counts and today it represents the largest single-unit wine company in Piedmont, dedicated to the cultivation of autochthonous vines, including Barbera. which act as emissaries for Piedmont around the world.
Barboursville Vineyards
In a region destined to viticulture by history, in 1976 Gianni Zonin realized the dream that belonged to Thomas Jefferson, the third American president, giving life to a large wine estate on the East Coast that covers an area of 500 hectares, 90 of which are vineyards.
Barboursville Vineyards is also home to the refined Italian restaurant «Palladio» and the historic cottage “the 1804 Inn”, a sought-after destination for a dream holiday among the vineyards.
Dos Almas
Purpose: Creating Perfect Harmony
There is a passion that knows no borders, that crosses oceans and continents and unites hemispheres. This dedication to excellence, rooted in seven generations of winemaking tradition, is what led the Zonin family from the vineyards of Italy to search for the perfect terroir in which to further develop their dream.
They began their journey, faithful to their vision of creating connections between people and places through wine. Their voyage was driven by a desire to promote the biodiversity and cultural riches of outstanding world wine regions, and they found the ideal place to fulfil this commitment in Chile, complementing two hundred years of Italian craftsmanship with the kaleidoscope of terroirs and microclimates that make up this wonderful country.
Here, the Zonin family could create wines capable of merging two identities: Italian winemaking tradition and Chilean terroir, like two souls connected by a single purpose – creating perfect harmony.