Markus Molitor is Wine Entrepreneur of the Year
Düsseldorf, 18 March 2017. The coveted awards, which are presented every year on the eve of the ProWein in Düsseldorf, go this year to Markus Molitor, Paul-François Vranken, Christophe Salin, the Frescobaldi family, Bernd G. Siebdrat and Nonino.
At the first event of ProWein in Düsseldorf, outstanding entrepreneurs and celebrities of the international wine and spirits industry were honoured at the 13th Meininger Award Excellence in wine and spirit. In the presence of around 600 members of the wine industry, the awards were presented in six categories. The prize for National Wine Entrepreneur of the Year was won by top wine producer Markus Molitor from the Mosel. With his steep slope wines and excellent quality he has been the talk of the town for years. Christophe Salin, CEO of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) was honoured in the International Wine Entrepreneur of the Year category. He has successfully held the reins of the prestigious company for years. The tradition-focused Italian company Frescobaldi, which has been producing wine for 700 years, received the Wine Family of the Year award. Paul-François Vranken was given a Lifetime Achievement Award. The native Belgian has created an impressive Champagne empire with Vranken-Pommery in only one generation. The Outstanding Achievement Award went to Bernd G. Siebdrat, who has for years campaigned for a restaurant culture in Germany. The Spirit Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to the Nonino distillery, based in Northern Italy. The empowered women of Friuli have been a notable exception in the world of grappa for years.
National Wine Entrepreneur of the Year: Markus Molitor, Weingut Molitor
Markus Molitor is an exceptional wine grower. At the age of just 20 he took over three hectares of vineyard from his father and gradually purchased some prime wine-growing locations on the central Mosel. He cultivates almost exclusively steep slopes and swears by natural growing methods, low yields and late harvests. “He is a custodian of wine’s cultural heritage; no one has revived as many steep slopes as he has,” says Ilka Lindemann, editor-in-chief of Meiningers Weinwelt magazine in her award speech., adding that a sensation occurred in 2015, when three of his wines were awarded 100 Parker points. His most recent project is the purchase of the Serrig state wine estate on the Saar. Thus, this ambitious perfectionist runs two vineyards, one with 70 hectares on the Mosel, the other with 30 hectares on the Saar.
International Wine Entrepreneur of the Year: Christophe Salin, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)
For over 30 years, Christophe Salin has been managing a winery that produces one of the world’s most expensive wines, Château Lafite. In 1985, he met Baron Eric de Rothschild, who is the fifth generation head of Château Lafite Rothschild. The same year, Salin took over the management of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) based in Bordeaux and has since directed the company’s fortunes with great success. Under his auspices, Rothschild Lafite has purchased other vineyards in France, Chile and Argentina. His most recent major investment is a project in China with a 25-hectare vineyard. Today, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) produce wines on a total 1,200 hectares of their own land.
Wine Family of the Year: Lamberto Frescobaldi and family
The Frescobaldi family can look back on over 700 years of wine-growing history. With around 1,200 hectares of vineyards in six world-famous areas of Tuscany, and the leading producer Ornellaia, Frescobaldi is one of the largest Italian and European wine producers. The Marchesi Frescobaldi produces around 11 million bottles of wine, which are sold in 90 countries worldwide. Behind this achievement is one family. Seven family members are currently in various positions of responsibility – from the president, managing director, export manager and marketing manager to the manager of their restaurants and sales and distribution. The wine empire is today led in its 30th generation by Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Paul-François Vranken, Vranken-Pommery Monopole
The native Belgian has succeeded in creating a Champagne empire in just one generation. In 1976 at the age of 30, he founded his own company and produced the first Vranken branded Champagne. He purchased the Champagne brands Veuve Monier and Heidsieck + Co. Monopole. A milestone in the development of his Champagne group was his takeover of the renowned Pommery Champagne producer in Reims. With almost €300 million in annual turnover, Vranken-Pommery today is among the leading Champagne groups and one of France’s ten largest wine producers at the same time.
Outstanding Achievement Award: Bernd G. Siebdrat, Wein Wolf Import
Bernd Siebdrat was honoured for his achievements in gastronomy. Since the beginning of his career, his focus has been on premium wines, and he has championed the development of restaurant culture in Germany. Together with Karl-Heinz Wolf, he founded the company Wein Wolf 35 years ago, which today represents the exclusive import of top international wines. As CEO, Bernd Siebdrat has expanded Wein Wolf further and left his mark on it for decades, including internationally. For Siebdrat, gastronomy has continued to be the absolute priority as the centre of a lifestyle and fine dining culture.
Spirit Entrepreneur of the Year: Nonino family
The Nonino distillery based in Friuli is one of Italy’s most significant distilleries. The company has repeatedly provided breakthrough innovations in the grappa market and consolidated its position as a pioneer of quality. Giannola Bulfoni Nonino was the first to distil the pomace of different vineyards separately and then use whole grapes for distilling later on in the 1980s. “Nonino has revolutionised the grappa market, set a new benchmark in terms of quality and has ennobled an entire beverage category with tireless passion”, says Barbara Becker, editor-in-chief of the catering magazine, Fizzz in her award speech.
These days, Giannolla’s daughters, Elisabetta, Cristina and Antonella Nonino, are at the top of this Northern Italian family business and with Francesca Bardelli Nonino the next generation is already setting new standards.
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