Marcello Vaona, Novaia - ITALY / Millésime Bio 2020 exhibitor

Could you quickly introduce us Novaia and your position within it?

Novaia is a family estate founded by my great-grandfather at the end of the 19^th century, so I represent the fourth generation of winemakers at Novaia.

Who are your main customers?

We sell only in Horeca channel, in high level restaurants, wine bars, etc in Italy but also in Canada, Russia, Northern Europe through distributors.

Speaking of markets, can you tell us how your sales are distributed between the different channels?

We have distributors in Italy and Europe. In Canada we sell through an agent of the monopoly. Canada is one of our main markets.

Italy is one of the major producers of organic wine in Europe, but what is the image of organic wine on the Italian market?

In Italy a lot of costumers confuse organic, natural and artisanal wines. In the future we have to work to bring more clarity about the importance of the organic certification. I think the market of organic products could increase a lot thanks to that.

Novaia has been certified in organic viticulture since 2014 and you participated in Millésime Bio for the first time in 2020. What made you decide to participate in the fair?

I have wanted to participate for a long time, but I waited until all my wines were certified organic. The last certified wine was the Amarone 2015 bottled in December 2019 (in 2014 we didn't make Amarone because the vintage was not good). Unfortunately (or fortunately) our wines need a lot of ageing in the cellar before being put up for sale. I already believed that Millésime Bio was one of the major fairs for the organic wines and since my participation I have been sure of it.

What was your objective: to meet new customers? current customers? To better understand the market?

My objective was both: meet new customers but also meet my current customers, and a lot of them came.

Were you satisfied with your participation?

I was very satisfied about the contacts I had, but unfortunately, because of Covid19 and the recent lock down, I could not develop anyone of them yet. I hope to start again when the economy recovers.

Can you share with us your greatest business success at the fair, your best memory?

For sure: the gold medal for our Valpolicella Superiore I Cantoni. For me it was a very great pleasure!!!

What are your objectives for the next Millésime Bio fair?

Consolidate the contacts that I made in the 2020 edition and I really hope to participate again to embrace people, friends, producers and our customers, as in the past!

I assume the Covid-19 health crisis is a difficult time for you. Do you have any particular expectations related to this situation?

I don't know what the future will be. Now is a very difficult period for us and for all the wineries that sell only in the horeca channel. As I said before I hope to be able to return and exchange with people safely.

Could you describe Millésime Bio in 3 words ?

friendly, green, people

Company presentation:

- Creation date: end of 1800 and than refounded in 1973

- Volume of prod hL / Btl 50000 bott/year

- Surface: 7 ha vineyard of 10 ha total surface

- Appellation: valpolicella/Amarone/Ripasso

- Circuits of distr domestic / exp : 60% export 40% national 

 - Website: www.novaia.it