We already had a chance to hear from Andrea Lonardi last winter regarding the wines of Vino Nobile de Montepulciano. As the COO and director of winemaking for Angelini Wines and Estates, Andrea balances business sense with his viticulture and winemaking expertise to drive marketing and sales for the company while also innovating production in numerous Italian wine regions where Angelini holds estates, namely Valpolicella (Bertani), Brunello di Montalcino (Val di Suga), Chianti Classico (San Leonino), Vino Nobile di Montalpulciano (Tenuta Trerose), Friuli (Cantina Puiatti), and Castelli de Jesi (Fazi Battaglia and Tenute San Sisto). 

In September, Jessica had a chance to attend Bertani's Amarone Academy, gaining in-depth exposure to the vineyards, soils, grape varieties, harvesting, and process of making Amarone della Valpolicella. While there, she sat down with Andrea, who had recently earned the esteemed credential of Master of Wine. In this discussion, Jessica and Andrea talk about Amarone, his work ethic, and a particular unique identity for Italian wine. 

Expanded Bio:

Since joining the company in 2012, Andrea has been instrumental in orchestrating a relaunch for the historic brand Bertani, reinstating a strong stylistic identity to Amarone and Valpolicella, zoning Montalcino through distinctive vineyard selection, shaping new labeling guidelines in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Chianti Classico, and connecting with key international fine wine distributors.

Andrea started his career in marketing and sales for the largest Italian wine group (GIV), expanding indigenous southern Italian grape varieties to the US market, and was promoted to viticulture director, responsible for more than 1,000 hectares and 13 estates from the Alps to Sicily.