Interview with Mariangela Cambria, new president of Assovini Sicilia: “Teamwork, wine tourism and next generation are the strong points of the program”

by Umberto Gambino Mariangela Cambria, 47 years of ages, from Messina DOC, wed and mom of 2 kids, finished in Government with 110 orgasm laude, red wine lady, full-time manufacturer together with her siblings and uncle in the Cottanera business in Etna, is the brand-new president of Assovini Sicilia, the association that unites 100 wineries on the island, for an overall of 70% of Sicilian red wine production. Here is her very first interview after her consultation, given to us at WiningPress

Among Assovini Sicilia’s jobs is to bring the Sicily of red wine to the world. Do you currently have a brand-new technique in mind or will you continue in the instructions currently begun? In the meantime, I feel the responsibility to thank all my predecessors who have actually done their task extremely well. If Assovini Sicilia has actually ended up being so reliable today, it is above all thanks to them. I will attempt to continue in the instructions currently traced. However the primary job for everyone on the board of directors and for the partners stays to take the brand name of Sicilian red wines worldwide through accurate marketing and advertising methods and actions such as masterclasses, fairs abroad and tastings.

With the brand-new Board of Directors, have you currently established concerns for this three-year duration? Not yet. After the election last July 10th, we wait for the very first functional conference arranged for July 24th. My concept is to continue to believe and promote Sicily as a big wine-growing continent, comprised of a set of little and big areas, each with its uniqueness and peculiarities. I can ensure you that I choose team effort and constant conversation. I’m not an individual utilized to doing it alone.

Quality tourist in wineries was the style of the most recent edition of SEP. How do you really prepare to motivate this pattern? For a long time we have actually seen increasingly more wineries that are equipping themselves for hospitality with relais and other reception centers. White wine tourist represents a tactical sector not just for the red wine sector however for the whole economy of the island. Sicily has a remarkable benefit in regards to production quality, beautiful charm, red wine range and variety, history, culture, food and red wine. White wine business, knowledgeable about this heritage and fantastic possible that will have an effect on the whole economy and system, are currently dealing with red wine tourist comprehended as a white wine experience, hotel lodging, food and red wine experience and territorial marketing. And the most recent information from Assovini Sicilia validates this. According to the 2023 study simply released, 90% of Assovini Sicilia business have actually a structure utilized for red wine tourist for tasting in the cellar. 32% of these have a lodging center with beds and 30% deal a catering alternative. The services used by the Assovini wineries are significantly improved and diversified, changing into red wine experiences: over 51% deal cooking courses, health cares, red wine walking and trips that significantly connect with the landscape and culture of the locations. As an association, we wish to promote the red wine tourist of our members through press trips, occasions however likewise by supporting their activities and specifying system and territorial marketing methods. The cellar is not just the location where you taste however where you listen to music, appreciate masterpieces and do yoga. This is since red wine has a terrific symbolic and cultural worth efficient in manufacturing all the components connected to history, culture, area and individuals.

What impact does it have on being the very first female president of Assovini Sicilia? I feel a terrific obligation within myself likewise since today I am the President of an Association which in the past has actually had at the helm leading figures such as Diego Planeta, Lucio Tasca d’Almerita and Giacomo Rallo. All red wine males from whom I have actually discovered valuable lessons. I will attempt to do my finest. I can ensure you today that I will be reasonable, fair, discreet.

Not just a female President, however likewise the whole leading management of the association is female and 4 out of 9 members are ladies. A good signal, definitely meant. Even in gender equality, Sicily of White wine is ahead. I am really pleased to be at the helm of a vibrant job that sees 2 really smart red wine ladies at my side, whom I appreciate quite and who will be valuable points of referral for the future of our association: Lilly Ferro Fazio, vice president, and José Rallo, handling director for the coordination of subsidized financing activities. I make certain that we will interact with the whole Board of Directors completely consistency. It is a stunning indication of renewal that shows how Assovini Sicilia is constantly in action with the times and available to any modification. This is likewise shown by the information of the members of Assovini Sicilia: 97% of the wineries have at least one lady in tactical functions in portions and sectors divided as follows: 59% of the ladies represent the ownership, 46% hold management functions in marketing and promo, while in 25% of cases ladies have technical management and quality assurance functions.

In 2020 Assovini Sicilia’s turnover was 6.5 million euros. All reinvested for services for the advantage of members such as the internationalization of items, involvement in nationwide and global fairs, exploitation of CMO funds for 3rd nations and promo, RDP rural advancement strategies. Will it be kept or increased? 2020 is not a substantial year since we remained in the time of covid, in 2022 Assovini’s turnover was around 7.5 million. The pattern is to attempt to preserve it. Increasing it will all depend upon the ceilings enforced by the promo calls.

Today there are 100 member business: are you preparing to invite more quickly? As constantly, we will examine brand-new demands on a case-by-case basis, in a collegial way. Let’s bear in mind that Assovini Sicilia is the association of Sicilian wine makers that unites 100 wineries with the objective of promoting quality Sicilian red wine worldwide. Anybody who wishes to belong to our association, no matter the size of the business, need to understand the distinct worth of red wine as part of the cultural, financial and efficient heritage of the island. To date, Assovini Sicilia consists of a remarkable range and variety of wine making business both from the perspective of the entrepreneurial profile – little, medium and big business – and from the territorial perspective – north, south, east, west, center -. All our business have as a common measure production quality and the sharing of worths, concepts, jobs and goals.

Sicilia en primeur is now a cult occasion, a format likewise copied by other consortia and associations. Do you prepare to keep it as it is or do you have the concept of restoring it? The format works well and this is shown by the truth that Sicilia en Primeur has actually been and continues to be a sort of pattern setter for other truths like ours. Development constantly comes through modification.

Do you currently have a concept of the location for Sicilia en primeur 2024? Not yet, however there are currently a number of propositions on the table. We will choose quickly.

How will the compass of your presidency be oriented? I would like Assovini Sicilia to run in consistency and synergy and play the function of a genuine glue of little and big business and their requirements. I will open a discussion and a strong synergy with the brand-new generations, the Next Generation of Assovini Sicilia.

Where do you believe Sicilian red wine is going? Isn’t there a danger that the success of Etna red wines could in some way eclipse the increase of the other areas of the island? The red wines of our stunning island are going through a remarkable minute of quality and are significantly asked for in Italy and abroad. ‘abroad. We need to ride the favorable wave. When it comes to the Etna subject, I believe we require to promote and make understood all the kinds of Sicilian red wines together, without imbalances: I have actually constantly kept that there are various Sicilies of red wine.

To name a few things, you have ended up being a household of presidents: what did you state to your sibling Francesco, president of the Etna Doc red wine consortium? He wanted me well and hugged me. We are a strong household that is not scared of difficulties.

Who did you think about when you formally ended up being president of Assovini Sicilia? Do you have a commitment to make? Initially I was really clashed when my joint candidateship was proposed to me by the whole Board of Directors. For me it’s a difficulty with myself. However then I stated to myself: “It will be difficult however I will do it”. I devoted my election to my mom Maddalena.

You are likewise a mom of 2 kids along with a manufacturer and just recently president of a crucial company association with numerous eyes on you. How will you fix up all this? With the decision I have actually constantly had in work and in daily life.

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