An Italian has been named 'Winemaker of the Year' by the prestigious American trade magazine Wine Enthusiast.
Picking up the recognition was Florence native Carlo Ferrini, who built his reputation first with Chianti Classico and then through the development of a number of 'Super Tuscan' and other wines.
This year also saw Wine Enthusiast hand out a Lifetime Achievement award to Italo-American John Mariani, who created the Castello Banfi estate and contributed to making Brunello di Montalcino famous throughout the world.
After taking a degree in agrarian science in 1978, Ferrini went to work for the Chianti Classico consortium and for over ten years oversaw its production, while becoming an expert in the Tuscan grape which is the basis for Chianti: Sangiovese.
In 1992, Ferrini embarked on a career as a private consultant and was quickly recognised as one of Italy's leading experts.
He was named 'Winemaker of the Year' in 2000 by the leading Italian wine and food magazine Gambero Rosso and received the same recognition three years later by the Italian Sommelier Association.
Ferrini is currently consultant to a number of leading estates including Barone Ricasoli, Fattoria Le Corti, Fattoria Nittardi, Poliziano and Casanova di Neri, which produced a 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova which was chosen as 'Wine of the Year' in 2006 by the top American magazine Wine Spectator.
Outside Tuscany, Ferrini has lent his talents to such producers as Valle Reale in Abruzzo, Tasca d'Almerita and Donna Fugata in Sicily and San Leonardo dei Marchesi Guerrieri Gonzaga in the Trentino region.
Mariani entered the wine trade in 1950 when he and his brother Harry took over their father's wine importing business and expanded their activities abroad to become one of the leading merchants of French Bordeaux and Burgundy wine.
In 1969, Mariani was responsible for a textbook marketing feat when he launched Cantine Riunite's Lambrusco wine in the US.
This success allowed him to become the leading importer of Italian wine to the US, a position he held for 26 years.
During the mid-1970s, Mariani decided to become a winemaker and founded the Castello Banfi estate in the picturesque Tuscan village of Montalcino.
His success in making Brunello known throughout the world confirmed his position as a pioneer and authority in the marketing of wine.
