From the hills of gambellara to the end of the world: Step by step, the age-old dedication of the Zonin Family has successfully built a benchmark brand in Italian and international winemaking.
Through the family, ZONIN has kept alive the strong bond that it has lovingly cultivated with its native land, vineyards and the small town in the heart of the Veneto region, nestled among superb artistic and architectural treasures. It is here in Gambellara that the Zonin Family produces the still wines and the DOC and DOCG sparkling wines that constitute the Zonin range.
1500
The origins of the Zonin Family in Gambellara date back to 1500. The family tree reveals that Bernardino de Zonin (1470 - 1550) who lived in Malo, in the province of Vicenza, was the founding father. His son Piero (1500 - 1575) moved to Gambellara at a young age, where he took up residence and married Donna Francesca. Gambellara sits at the start of the foothills of the Lessini mountains, in the heart of the Veneto region, between Verona and Vicenza, and has been renowned over the centuries for its wine production.
In a 1st-century Roman villa, some findings relating to an ancient grape harvest suggest that the tradition of vine cultivation in this area dates back to more than 2000 years ago. There is, therefore, an historical link between the village of Gambellara and wine, whose vicissitudes are intertwined with the story of the Zonin Family: if the history of wine is linked to this geographical area, the history of the family is intertwined with both, given that documentary records reveal the first traces of the family in this area as early as the 1500s.
Cadastral records mentioning Giovanni Battista and Girolamo Antonio as owners of a vineyard date back to 1821, marking the beginning of the adventures of the Zonin family in the world of wine.
1800
But it was in the nineteenth century that important impetus was provided for viticulture in this area. Thanks to the commitment and passion of local families, this area began to take on the appearance that we recognize today, made up of vineyards that embrace the rolling hills, almost looking like an immense, well-manicured garden. The life and times of the Zonin Family are part of this story, a story that would go on to tie the family ever more firmly to these hills and vineyards.
1821
The Zonin Family originated in Gambellara and has lived in this Venetian village for many generations. In a cadastral map of the census municipalities of Sorio and Gambellara Vicentina dated 1821, mention is made of the ‘owners’ of a ‘Ronco Arborato Vitato’ (land with vineyards supported and extended over live trees) on the hills and of ‘Arativi Arborati Vitati (land with rows of vines supported and extended mainly via dry wood), namely Giovanni Battista Zonin and Girolamo Antonio Zonin. The dream of a life in the world of wine was about to begin.
1899
Domenico Zonin, the second of ten brothers, was born in 1899 into a family of farmers. He immediately demonstrated resourcefulness and curiosity, especially as regards the world of wine. Hence, from a young age, he became involved in the family business of growing vineyards located in the hills of Gambellara.
1921
As soon as the Great War had ended, at the age of only 22, he asked his father for his inheritance and used the money to set up a small-scale production of wines and liqueurs that he supplied to the neighboring areas. This is how Cantine Zonin came to be founded, in Gambellara, in the year 1921. Despite the hardships of the war and the post-war period, the business continued to expand thanks to Domenico Zonin’s great passion for wine and his determination to enhance his native area.
1938
In 1938 Gianni Zonin was born, the eldest of Domenico Zonin’s grandchildren. After graduating in Oenology in Conegliano in 1957, the young winemaker, Gianni, joined the company at the age of 19. During the first years he expanded and deepened his understanding of the technical, commercial, purchasing and human resources aspects of the business. This privileged position would enable him, at a later stage, to make particularly wise and farsighted strategic decisions.
1965
With the well-being that accompanied the post-war economic boom, wine consumption in Italy also began to evolve and bottles of wine appeared more and more frequently on dining tables every day. Lifestyles also changed in the 1960s. In 1965, the new DOC law was enacted, replacing old wine legislation that dated back to 1925. With the first regulations issued to govern the DOC appellations, and thanks also to news and information provided by journalists, Italian consumers became more aware and careful in seeking out better quality wine . What changed, above all, was the wine itself: the market began to value the ‘denominations of origin’ and grape varieties, with a particular emphasis on native vines and regional consumption.
1967
In this historical period, contact with foreign markets was experienced for the first time - in particular Germany, the United States, Belgium and Switzerland - which made it possible to enhance corporate culture, creating the conditions for the export of Made in Italy products at a supranational level.
1970s
In the 1970s, ZONIN wines found ever greater favor with Italians, who proved to be discerning and demanding consumers. In this period, in conjunction with the launch of the new company logo, the lion of St Mark, a new phase began for the company which would ultimately lead to the acclaim that the brand now enjoys all over the world. The decision to adopt the lion of St Mark as the company logo stemmed from the Zonin Family's desire to underscore its ties with the Veneto region, marking the start of an adventure that has continued for almost two centuries.
1975
The success that ZONIN began to achieve in this period was due not only to the characteristics of its wines, but also to a meticulous operation focusing on its corporate image. In order to build a direct relationship with Italian consumers, the company chose to communicate with them via one of the most innovative channels available at the time: television. Between the end of 1975 and the beginning of 1976, the first ZONIN commercial aired on the show Carosello. Thanks to the quality of the products, innovative communication and eclecticism in distribution, during those years the ZONIN brand became synonymous with home, familiarity and hospitality: ZONIN became a 'companion' to Italian families by lightly and positively celebrating the sharing of happy moments in everyday life via the raising of a glass with loved ones.
1980s
In this phase, the Zonin family came to understand that producing a good wine was not sufficient to guarantee consumer loyalty. The success of the brand could only be assured via its ability to transmit to the consumer all the passion, enthusiasm and work that lies behind every single bottle. At this point in time, the Zonin Family decided to take on a new challenge: to venture beyond the Italian market and to win over wine lovers beyond Italian borders.
1990s
From Italian Families to ‘Families from all over the world’. The ZONIN brand continued developing and strengthening its international distribution: a positive approach that would lead the ZONIN brand to be increasingly recognized among the Italian brands that have exported the Made in Italy ethos around the world.
2000s
In the 2000s, the new generation entered the company: Domenico, Francesco and Michele Zonin, who inherited their father’s passion for winemaking. Gradually entering the company with operational roles of increasing responsibility and business management, the three brothers – and the seventh generation of the ZONIN Family – are responsible for consolidating the company’s distribution partnerships on a global level, launching the subsidiaries that operate in the United States, England, Sweden and China, managing the company (thanks to the support of various international professionals) but also defining the identity of the Group: ZONIN is no longer a family business but a modern international company that has never lost touch with its founding Values, impassioned enthusiasm for the culture of wine, care for local wine traditions and the entrepreneurial vision transmitted by its founder, Domenico Zonin.
2010s
To show their great respect for the cultural tradition preserved and interpreted by the company for generations, the Zonin brothers have set up a fascinating exhibition in Gambellara called 'Una storia di vite. Territori, Culture e Saperi custoditi dalla Famiglia Zonin'.
Covering almost two centuries of history, this fascinating exhibition covers historically very valuable wine tools and equipment as well as books, engravings, proclamations and edicts relating to the world of wine dating back to the 16th-19th centuries, a set of elegant Murano glasses and a collection of ancient corkscrews. There is also a particularly interesting collection of over 14,000 stamps dedicated to vines and wine.
Increasing numbers of wine lovers from all over the world come to Gambellara every year. This pretty, lush little town between Verona and Vicenza welcomes curious enthusiasts to discover the spirit of this unrivalled heritage that so ably expresses the ethos and culture of ‘Made in Italy’ production.
