Tag Archive for: International Women’s day

Marilisa Allegrini at La Poya vineyard, Allegrini, Valpolicella, Italy

Meet Marilisa Allegrini, wine women extraordinare…The Voice of Amarone.

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 For this International Women’s Day, 108th Anniversary celebration we thought we would introduce you to one remarkable woman in our field. She is Marilisa Allegrini, CEO of Allegrini, one of the most respected and highly acclaimed wineries of Italy. It is located in the storied wine growing region of Valpolicella. Allegrini is world-renowned in particular for their exceptional production of the iconic wine Amarone. She is known as the “Voice of Amarone” and been often described as a “Wine Star”. 

 Marilisa is the first Italian woman wine producer to grace the cover of one of the most respected and famous wine magazines in the world, The Wine Spectator. Since the early 1980’s Marilisa has been traveling the world sharing her passion for both the wines of Allegrini and the region of Valpolicella. 

We had the opportunity to meet with the dynamic CEO of what today is regarded as one of the leading producers not only in this region but also in Italy as a whole.

We asked Marilisa to share with us the story behind Allegrini.

We learn that the Allegrini family has been involved with grape growing and winemaking since the 1500’s handing down grape growing and winemaking traditions over six generations.

Its roots lie in a small village Fumane de Valpolicella located just north of Verona. The family played a prominent role in the local community as one of the most important landowners, involved in agricultural work and upholding local traditions. “It was’, as she goes on to explain with great admiration, ”

how the intelligence and hard work of her father Giovanni an instinctive man with respect to the land and innovative winemaking practices was integral in earning the reputation Allegrini enjoys today”.

Allegrini Logo

We’d like to feature one very special lady today on these pages. She is Marilisa Allegrini, the CEO of the family owned and operated Azienda Agricola Allegrini. Established in 1854 although Marilisa maintains it was many centuries before that her family was involved in making wine. It is considered a premier, and one of the most revered, award wining wineries in the historical and storied wine region of Valpolicella, Italy, also home of the iconic wine Amarone. 

Listen to Marilisa Allegrini at 29:40 minutes in the show

The Wine Ladies private wine tasting with Marilisa Allegrini.
 We had the opportunity to meet Marilisa on a recent visit to Toronto. She is a very special lady indeed, a woman of  passion, and dedication, of brilliance and of grace. Here she shared with us a little history of Allegrini, the past, present and future. We also  talked about Marilisa’s role as CEO, the role of women in general in this industry, the challenges and the opportunities. 
Allegrini La Poja 2011
Allegrini La Poja 2011
Palazzo della Torre 2014
Palazzo della Torre 2014
International Women's Day
International Women’s Day

Zonta Celebrates International Women’s Day…Celebrating 108 years in 2019!

Marilisa Allegrini, the first Italian woman wine producer to grace the cover of Wine Spectator

Santa Rita Winery, Chile - International Women's Day journalist picnic.

On this week’s radio show…International Woman’s Day 2016

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International Women's Day, Santa Rita Winery, Chile.

International Women’s Day, Santa Rita Winery, Chile.

On this week’s radio show...Celebrate International Woman’s Day 2016 with us!

We have a fantastic show for you today all in Celebration of International Women’s Day 2016. International Women’s Day was officially launched in 1911. Today over 100 years later IWD is celebrated around the world with 1000’s of events honouring women everywhere for their various achievements.

We want to be a part of that too and so today we’re going to welcome three fantastic ladies to the show. Each lady bringing something unique and different to the table. From Royalty, yes as in the Royal Highness Prince William and Prince Harry. You won’t want to miss that!  To a pioneering, award winning winemaker and to a very special brand of wine specifically designed for us ladies!

EPISODE 42

Carolyn  has many exciting tales to tell of her time in Kensington Palace.

 She will share some of her special recipes suited for special occasions available in her new cookbook,THE ROYAL TOUCH; Simply Stunning Home Cooking From a Royal Chef.

A woman of so many accomplishments, she is also a triathlon athlete, single mom and more. Carolyn personifies International Woman’s Day.

Listen to Carolyn Robb at 6:30 minutes into the show.

Next we will welcome from a business that has traditionally been male dominated.

A pioneer in this field, she has definitely helped pave the way for her fellow female colleagues. We are talking about the role of head winemaker for one of the most prominent and historic wineries in the wine growing country of Chile, an award winning winemaker, she is Cecilia Torres Salinas of Vina Santa Rita.

Listen to Cecilia Torres Salinas at 17:20 minutes into the show.

And then to close the show, we will welcome Allison Modesto, Brand Manager for one of the most successful wine brands to hit our market, targeted to none other than us ladies!
The wines are Girls Night Out, knocking it out of the ball park, produced locally here in the Lake Erie North Shore wine region, Allison will share with us the philosophy behind the brand, and what GNO is up to with respect to helping women advance in the wine business.

Listen to Allison Modesto at 33:60 minutes into the show.

We attended an outstanding event, The Dinner Party, a few days before the official International Woman’s Day, a fundraiser for SAVIS and CSAW. The main speaker of the evening was Sally Armstrong, the acclaimed reporter and columnist who delivered a powerful, profound speech about the status of women around the world.
She has written a book Ascent By Women. 

Sally Armstrong spoke about about women’s issues in Afghanistan, a rape case brought by 160 young girls in Kenya and the need for personal willpower for change. Over 900 attendees at #thedinnerpartyiwd 

We have come a long way baby in the wine industry and beyond. Let's celebrate how far we have come! Scene from the film Suffragette starring Meryl Streep.

We have come a long way baby in the wine industry and beyond. Let’s celebrate how far we have come! Scene from the film Suffragette starring Meryl Streep.


Although much progress has been made in the world, we still have along way to go baby! Happy International Woman’s Day everyone!

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Results Kickboxing banner