Two Major Sparkling Wine Companies Join Forces to Form Freixenet Mionetto USA, Leading Sparkling Wine Company in the US


WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Dec. 04, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Henkell & Co.’s Mionetto USA and Freixenet USA announce the formation of Freixenet Mionetto USA as of January 2019, with company headquarters in White Plains, New York. The company will offer global and domestic expertise with an unparalleled portfolio of premium, iconic sparkling wine brands from renowned producers around the world.

Freixenet Mionetto USA will be led by three co-Managing Directors, which currently consists of Mionetto USA’s Enore Ceola and Simone Gentilini and Freixenet USA’s Tom Burnet. Ceola, who established Mionetto USA 20 years ago, will focus on and oversee Sales and Marketing.

Gentilini, who has played an integral role in the company’s growth as a Mionetto USA executive for 12 years, will continue to oversee Finance, Administration and Operations. “This is an exceptional moment for a company that has scaled and reached incredible milestones in a competitive and leading global market, such as the US,” said Gentilini. “We enthusiastically accept the challenges ahead in furthering the development of these brands while strengthening and building a great business. We are committed to the long-term business plan of successfully establishing Freixenet Mionetto USA as the category leader,“ he adds.

Burnet, President of Freixenet USA for nearly 10 years, has successfully developed the Freixenet USA and Gloria Ferrer business through innovation and strong executive leadership, will focus on the Gloria Ferrer winery operations and Retail Operations/Direct to Consumer business. Burnet comments, “Great companies all have two things in common – terrific people and strong consumer-driven brands. Freixenet Mionetto USA already has a strong foundation and there is an exciting opportunity to build upon these assets.”

 “I’m very excited for the opportunity to take this outstanding portfolio to new heights, at a time when the sparkling wine category is driving the overall wine growth,” says Ceola. “Freixenet Mionetto USA has market leading brands in the categories of Cava, Prosecco and domestic sparkling with Gloria Ferrer. This will provide an unparalleled offering and strategic insights to our business partners,” he adds.

Joseph LoSardo has been appointed Senior Vice President of Sales, managing sales and working closely with our distributor partners and internal sales team.

The Freixenet Mionetto USA portfolio will include a Luxury Portfolio, a combination of the ultra-premium brands and still wines from both portfolios. This portfolio includes the following brands: Gloria Ferrer, WindVane, Ferrer Family Wines, Mionetto’s Luxury Collection, Champagne Alfred Gratien, Gratien & Meyer, Schloss Johannisberg, Castello di Monsanto, Livio Felluga, Capezzana, Pertinace, and Rocca Sveva.

Greg Berumen, Vice President of Marketing of the Mionetto portfolio and Jane Scott, Vice Presidents of Marketing of the Freixenet Portfolio, will lead the Marketing department jointly.

Mike Crumly will continue to manage the Gloria Ferrer vineyards, winemaking and production as Vice President of Production. Geraldine Flatt will continue to manage Gloria Ferrer’s Hospitality and Direct to Consumer business and has been appointed Vice President of Human Resources for Freixenet Mionetto USA.

These appointments position the company for continuity, great leadership and sustained growth in the sparkling wine business both in the US and globally. It will also ensure the development of new markets and distribution channels, while strengthening existing business and Trade relationships.

In this process, the existing Freixenet USA New York City and Sonoma office staff will relocate to the Freixenet Mionetto USA headquarters in White Plains NY and Gloria Ferrer winery in Sonoma respectively. The White Plains, NY headquarters will undergo expansion and remodeling to accommodate the larger teams and evolve to the smart office concept. The new design will embrace advanced technology, collaboration, and a comfortable working environment.

About Freixenet Mionetto USA
Freixenet Mionetto USA, the United States subsidiary of Henkell Freixenet, offers a comprehensive portfolio of premium, iconic sparkling wine brands from renowned producers around the world. Led by quality and innovation, the company ranks in the top six sparkling wine companies and #1 globally.

Freixenet Mionetto USA is the exclusive agent for the most prestigious wine estates in the world. These producers are benchmarks within their respective regions and categories. The portfolio includes Freixenet (Barcelona), Freixenet Prosecco (Veneto), Mionetto (Valdobbiadene), Segura Viudas (Barcelona), Gloria Ferrer (Sonoma), Mia (Barcelona), Henkell (Wiesbaden), Alfred Gratien (Champagne), Gratien & Meyer (Loire), Bollicini (Italy), WindVane (Sonoma), Schloss Johannisberg (Rheingau), Livio Felluga (Friuli), Castello di Monsanto (Tuscany), Monrosso (Tuscany), Capezzana (Tuscany), Pertinace (Piedmont), Rocca Sveva (Veneto), ReMidas (Veneto), Cavas Hill (Penedès), 50° Riesling (Rheingau), Esperto (Veneto), Rocca Sveva (Italy), Esperto (Veneto), Voveti (Veneto), René Barbier (Catalunya), Acordeón (Mendoza), Deakin Estate (Mildura) and Katnook (Coonawara).

Media Contact
Suzie Kukaj
Associate Director, Public Relations
Suzie.Kukaj@MionettoUSA.com
718.596.3339