2020 has been a year we’ll never forget.
Not only because it was particularly trying for all of us, but because it genuinely brought noteworthy results.
- A shower of awards rewarded the ongoing work of Giancarlo with his team of oenologists, Emiliano Falsini and Fabio Mecca-Paternoster.
Ca ‘Florian Amarone della Valpolicella Classico docg Riserva 2012 received Tre Bicchieri recognition in the Gambero Rosso 2021 guide, the Corona in the ViniBuoni d’Italia 2021 guide, the 5 Grappoli in the Bibenda 2021 Guide, the 3 Stelle in the Veronelli 2021 guide and excellent scores by international critics, of which 94 points awarded by James Suckling and Falstaff stand out.
Tre Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso and 5 Grappoli from Bibenda also for Casisano Brunello di Montalcino 2015 doc, which received excellent 90+ marks internationally from renowned publications like James Suckling, Vinous, Decanter, Falstaff e Meininger’s, and in particular 94 points from Wine Spectator.
Top honors arrived for Paternoster, which confirms its status as an icon and benchmark for Aglianico del Vulture: Ddon Anselmo Aglianico del Vulture doc 2015 and Rotondo Aglianico del Vulture doc 2017 dominate every ranking. - 2020 was also an important milestone year for our Lugana Le Fornaci project. We’ve strongly believed in Lugana, both as wine and place, and are heavily invested in our dream to expand and develop one of our most important projects to date. Tenuta Le Fornaci consists of three main vineyards located in different areas of the Lugana DOC for a total of 45 hectares: two parcels located inland and a larger one towards Lake Garda in Sirmione.
A press event last August on a sailboat celebrated amidst Lake Garda’s wind, vocation and wine symbolized that the project linked to the Lugana doc has officially set sail. The positive response to Le Fornaci Lugana doc 2019 in the principal markets and recognition from critics is a sign that the launch is on course for success.
Everything is set for 2021, which will see the spring launch of Le Fornaci Rosè 2020, a blend that will delight the most demanding palates, followed the autumn launch of Le Fornaci Lugana doc Riserva 2018. - 2020 saw a stellar rise in digital activity. We organized Tommasi Digital Days, a series of special appointments and training dedicated to our Italian sales force and Ho.Re. Ca. customers. Our importers and international customers participated in specially organized seminars and digital tastings. Connections, the importance of maintaining and strengthening relationships built over the years, have always been a focal point of our business.
Consumers also had a chance to participate in a series of special tastings via Instagram live and Winemaker dinners, conducted by Giancarlo Tommasi and special guests. Guests were able to converse firsthand and learn about the wines and his work. These events brought us into the kitchens of food and wine lovers, where we prepared a meal together, joined by the conviviality of a good glass of wine.
The digital activity boosted our end-of-year results, where we see positive signs for retail and e-commerce sales, the real boom in 2020. - We never stood still; we’ve got projects to conclude and new ones to launch. We are working on the expansion and adaptation of our headquarters and winery in Pedemonte. Those who’ve visited us at our Wine Shop witnessed how much progress we’ve made, always with the intent to guarantee maximum quality. We’re defining the projects to expand the Casisano-Montalcino, Poggio al Tufo-Maremma and Caseo-Oltrepò wineries. We just completed new vineyards at Poggio al Tufo – Maremma and Masseria Surani – Puglia.
Other exciting wine-related projects will come to light next year. The first and foremost will be the spring launch of our first Metodo Classico from Tenuta Caseo in Oltrepò Pavese, the home of Pinot Noir. - What was never lacking in 2020 was the Strength of Family: a family that remained tight-knit and well organized, ready to respond with agility and flexibility to fluctuating and unpredictable change. This year, called on us to find effective alternatives and quick responses as we managed a sizeable company and above all the human resources. Not only were we able to guarantee work, despite the challenges of 2020, we were also able to hire new employees and expand our team.
This 2020 brought us gratification, creativity and new stimuli for our future.
We now look onward with hope and confidence to 2021, just around the corner.
