Dominga Cotarella is a perfect example of how certain lineages connect Italy, wine and New York City. On the 5th of October, the Women in Wine Symposium wanted to show all the female faces that represented the wine world. And Dominga’s face was a breath of fresh air in a male dominated industry.
She lovingly spoke about her personal lineage which includes her love for her father; how he has supported her to become a strong individual; and a strong individual that has been instrumental in strengthening the sales and marketing of her family winery in Umbria, Italy.
Also, part of Dominga’s lineage is her earlier professional experience with Marchesi Antinori – taking what she learned from this legendary estate to help bring her own family’s winery to the next level.
Photo: Iñaki Vinaixa
And the third part of Dominga’s lineage is with the Winebow Group, which was created in 2014 with the merger of The Vintner Group and Winebow – which was a key sponsor in helping to bring this remarkable symposium together.
Winebow, since the 1980s, has always had one of the best reputations as an importer and distributor for Italian wines. And so, her lineage is rooted with this company which has been a big part of bringing great Italian wines to New York City and by extension of New York’s influential power, to the US as a whole.
But it was great to see different looking links in the chains of these different lineages: female links. She was in a sea of brightly shining female faces. There were sales managers, corporate vice presidents, winemakers, owners, writers, etc. The lineages of the great men who shaped all of these companies were recognized as well for not only helping to build the foundation from which these great women could grow, but they helped to encourage their wives, daughters and nieces to bring something to the table that was uniquely powerful.
It was wonderful to see that Dominga is proud of being Italian and proud of being her father’s daughter while being her own woman with her incredible intelligence, energy and love for life!
Where the lineage originally came from is still the same but the new faces are different, and they are magnificent faces indeed.
Cathrine's Recommendations
Everyday Drinking Wine (less than $15)
2013 Sartarelli Verdicchio Classico, Marche, Italy ($14): I still enjoy a fresh white wine even when the weather gets colder, and this Verdicchio from Marche is fun and light with lemon zest and a blanched almond finish. And it’s nice to have something different, a “fresh face” when it comes to an easy drinking white.
Special Occasion Wine (from $15 to $50)
2011 Falesco Montiano Merlot IGP, Lazio, Italy ($41): This is one of Dominga Cotarello’s wines. A 100% single-vineyard Merlot grown in the Montiano parcel in Montefiascone, Lazio.An explosion of juicy plums on the first sip with a hint of black tea and an intoxicating hint of volcanic ash on the finish.
Fantasy Wine (over $50)
2012 Lagier Meredith Syrah, Mount Veeder, California ($52): Carole Meredith was another bright light who represented the female wine world that day with 22 years as an educator and winemaker under her belt. Syrah lovers should seek out her wines. A big, muscular Syrah with meaty and peppery flavors. This wine should be decanted for a few hours and ideally paired with lamb.
