Trinchero Family Estates (TFE) today announced that Ceretto will be partnering with TFE as the portfolio's sales and marketing partner in the United States effective immediately. The partnership will allow Ceretto to continue to grow in the U.S. with the support and resources of TFE, the second-largest family-owned winery in the United States. TFE will begin distribution of 12 wines this summer ranging in suggested retail price from $19 to $200, including the well-known Blangé Arneis Langhe D.O.C. and Moscato d'Asti D.O.C.G. as well as Ceretto's acclaimed Asili Barbaresco D.O.C.G. and Bricco Rocche Barolo D.O.C.G.
"The Ceretto family has been a leader in Italian winemaking for more than 90 years and we're honored to partner with them as we continue to expand and elevate the portfolio of Trinchero Family Estates," said Bob Torkelson, president and chief executive officer of Trinchero Family Estates.
"Our grandfather Riccardo began making wine in the Langhe in 1930, and our family is proud of the work we've done to get to this important moment, which we believe will be a turning point for growing our business in the United States," said Federico Ceretto, chief executive officer of Ceretto. "I know our shared values will help us create a great partnership."
The Langhe is an area of rolling hills in the Piemonte region of northern Italy, where the Trinchero family also shares roots. Founder Mario Trinchero immigrated from Piemonte to New York City, where he met wife Mary Trinchero and started his family – second generation Bob, Vera and Roger Trinchero. Together, the family moved to Napa Valley and began making wine in 1948. "It's a meaningful partnership for us given our roots in Piemonte, and the passion we have for working with multi-generational family businesses focused on making great wines from great viticultural areas as the Ceretto family does so well," said Carlo Trinchero, managing director of the Heritage Wine Collection, TFE's dedicated luxury salesforce.
The Ceretto family's winemaking legacy began nearly 20 years earlier in 1930 with Riccardo Ceretto, who blended fruit from the region's best vineyards. In 1960, second generation Bruno and Marcello purchased vineyards in the most sought-after locations in the Langhe and Roero, including some of the best crus of Barolo and Barbaresco. Today the Ceretto family owns more than 400 acres of vineyards throughout the Langhe and Roero, including 50 acres in Barolo D.O.C.G. and Barbaresco D.O.C.G.
Environmental sustainability has been core to the Ceretto family since the beginning; they increased their focus on environmentally sustainable farming methods in the early 2000s and the winery obtained an organic certification in 2015. The arts and gastronomy are also core tenets for the Ceretto family and they own two restaurants including the Piazza Duomo – the only restaurant in Piemonte with three Michelin stars. Together with Trinchero Family Estates, the Ceretto family will continue building their legacy as patrons of the arts, leaders in cuisine, storytellers and wine merchants as they begin their next chapter in the U.S.