Carolina Marchesini is CEO of Marchesini Enterprises, Dubai and the daughter of Gianni Marchesini, owner of the Monte Cillario winery in Parona, Valpolicella, the first winery you encounter upon entering the region. Her family’s roots in Valpolicella viticulture date back to 1886, though it wasn’t until 2009 that they officially opened Monte Cillario to the world, bringing their wines to international markets. Today, their brands are featured in fine dining restaurants and luxury hotels throughout Europe, the United States, Asia, and the Middle East.
Her origins are half Colombian, half Italian, and she proudly embraces her identity as a global citizen. She spent more than a decade in New York, where she began to understand wine not only as a science, but also as an art. Her importer, «Stuart,» and mentor there, guided her until she fell in love with the craft, while her father’s stories about his land and traditions inspired a deep sense of belonging.
«Although I initially resisted following the family path, I’ve now spent the last six years fully immersed in the business. As a Monte Cillario brand ambassador, I travel the world organizing wine tastings and presentations, and collaborating with sommeliers, restaurateurs, and distributors, ensuring that our wines are not only tasted, but also experienced and understood. My favorite wine is Recioto della Valpolicella, a label that reflects both the richness of our terroir and the elegance of our philosophy».
The company is a boutique winery with high-quality wines, specializing in unique collections, specifically crafted in different vintages and limited editions. They produce wines such as Valpolicella DOC Superiore (13.5% vol.), Ripasso Superiore DOC (14.5% vol.), Amarone Casa Erbitsi (15.5% vol.), Recioto (13% vol.), and Amarone Riserva (16% vol.). The Amarone Riserva comes from a special collection that the vineyard produces every 9 or 10 years and is one of our most exceptional vintages. They only produce 4,000 bottles of Amarone Riserva for the international market. It is the wine for which they are best known and is their best-selling flagship wine.
Currently, Carolina is based in Dubai, where she founded Marchesini Enterprises to introduce high-end Italian products — including her wines — to new markets. Her work bridges cultures, connects producers with global buyers, and helps restaurants and hospitality groups elevate their offerings with carefully curated selections.
«For me, this journey is more than continuing a family tradition — it is about transforming heritage into innovation, honoring the land while building bridges across borders, and helping people discover the art of wine as an experience of connection, beauty, and culture».
Carolina, your role in the family business goes beyond inherited traditions and you want to transform them with innovation. What were your steps to achieve this innovation?
I see myself less as an inheritor and more as a custodian of the Monte Cillario legacy. My father and the generations before him built a foundation of remarkable quality and profound respect for our land in Valpolicella. My role isn’t to alter that heritage, but to give it a renewed voice — one that speaks to today’s world of elegance, authenticity, and connection.
The first step was to listen — to the rhythm of the vines on Via Santa Cristina, to the wisdom of our long-time cellar masters, and to the evolving desires of the market. From that understanding, we began to innovate with intention. We introduced precision viticulture to nurture our vineyards sustainably, implemented advanced temperature-control systems to perfect the delicate ‘appassimento’ process of our Amarone, and reimagined our visual identity to tell our story with timeless sophistication.
For me, innovation is not about replacing tradition — it is about protecting its soul while ensuring it remains alive, resilient, and relevant for the next hundred years. That is the true essence of luxury: heritage made contemporary through purpose and passion.
From Italy to Dubai, what was your motivation to go to an Arab country to establish your company?
While my heart will always belong to the Italian vineyards, my vision for our wine has always been global. My path to Dubai was not a straight line from Italy — it began in New York. That city was my home for more than a decade; it’s where I grew as a professional and as a woman, surrounded by the vibrant world of fine dining, hospitality, and culture. New York taught me resilience, precision, and passion for excellence. But after so many winters, I began longing for warmth — both in weather and in spirit — and for a place where I could build something lasting, something that reflected the elegance and innovation I admired.
When I first came to Dubai nearly ten years ago, I was instantly captivated. The first places I visited — Atlantis The Palm and the restaurant Ossiano — opened my eyes to a world of refinement that felt limitless. The city’s pulse, its love for innovation, and its respect for perfection resonated deeply with me. I realized that this was where I wanted to position Monte Cillario: among those who appreciate authenticity, craftsmanship, and beauty in every detail.
In New York, most sommeliers and wine directors you meet are seasoned professionals with decades of experience — which is admirable. But what I discovered in Dubai is something equally inspiring: here, there is space for the new generation. The city gives young professionals the chance to show their strength, creativity, and knowledge. That spirit of possibility is one of the most beautiful things about Dubai. Many people underestimate the energy and fresh vision that youth can bring, yet it is often the key ingredient that redefines excellence.
Dubai, to me, is more than a market — it’s a meeting point of cultures, ambitions, and dreams. It’s a place where tradition and modernity coexist beautifully. I saw in it the opportunity to bring a piece of our Italian soul to a sophisticated international audience that values heritage and innovation in equal measure. It was a bold step, but Monte Cillario was built on bold steps — and I believe that when passion and purpose meet, geography becomes just another vineyard to cultivate.
From your beginnings in New York and from your mentor, what experience did you gain?
New York was a fundamental chapter in my journey. In Italy, wine is part of life — it’s in the air, in the conversations, in the rhythm of each day. But in New York, wine becomes a competition of excellence, a global stage where only the most passionate and disciplined can truly stand out. The city itself was my mentor. It taught me that talent and heritage are not enough; professionalism and precision are equally essential.
I learned the value of time. I used to leave home an hour early just to make sure I arrived on time — because in New York, punctuality is respect. Sometimes I would wait for tastings to start, and I understood that no matter who you are — even if you are the daughter of a winery owner — you must earn every opportunity with patience, humility, and consistency. It’s not about privilege; it’s about commitment.
The market there is extraordinary: hundreds of wine stores, thousands of labels, each with its own story and soul. Competing in that environment taught me that producing a great wine is only half the work — you also have to know how to communicate it. I had to learn how to tell the story of Valpolicella in a room filled with hundreds of other great stories. And through that, I discovered that relationships — the human connections you build — are as important as the quality in the bottle.
As a Monte Cillario Brand Ambassador, you’ve traveled the world conducting wine tastings, presentations, and collaborating with sommeliers, restaurateurs, and distributors. I’d like you to tell us how you developed during that stage of your life and what moments were most significant.
That period was my true education. You can know everything about your own wine, but you don’t truly understand it until you see it through the eyes of others. Traveling around the world — from New York to Paris, London, and Dubai and around the world— changed my entire perspective. Every country, every palate, every culture has its own way of feeling and interpreting wine. I started to realize that my work wasn’t only to present Monte Cillario — it was to listen, to understand how our wines speak to people and what emotions they awaken.
Collaborating with world-class sommeliers, listening to restaurateurs in France, and sharing a glass with distributors in London taught me that we aren’t simply offering a beverage — we are sharing an experience. And the most significant moments were never the grand presentations or gala tastings, but the quiet, human exchanges. I remember a sommelier in Manhattan telling me that our Amarone reminded him of a childhood trip to Italy. That’s when I understood my real role: I am not just a brand ambassador, I am a storyteller. Each bottle is a passport — a bridge between our vineyard in Valpolicella and someone’s memory across the world.
Over the years, many of my professional encounters evolved into genuine friendships. I’ve shared not only wines but also books, ideas, and reflections. I remember recommending The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho to a client who was going through a difficult time. Weeks later, he told me the book had inspired him to make important life changes — to let go of what no longer served him. That moment stayed with me. It reminded me that wine, like literature, can touch the soul and guide people in unexpected ways.
Those experiences shaped me profoundly. They taught me that success in this world is not just about numbers or recognition — it’s about connection, authenticity, and meaning. Wine is a dialogue, not a monologue. And the greatest reward for me has always been to see someone smile, close their eyes, and, for just a moment, feel transported to our land.
Tell us now about the wines, how they’re made to achieve the different qualities, and the awards and accolades they’ve received, of which you must be very proud.
At the heart of Monte Cillario’s collection stands its flagship and most prestigious creation: the Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Rinaldo Marchesini. Named after my grandfather, it is our most cherished labor of love, embodying patience, (precision, and devotion to our land.
Monte Cillario is a small, family-run winery located in Parona, at the entrance to Valpolicella — a setting enriched by wild blueberries, blackberries, and especially the marasca cherry, whose essence subtly lingers in our wines. The grapes we cultivate — Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara, Negrara, and other native varieties — are rooted deeply in this terroir. These are grapes that tell their story only here: they do not travel, and that is what gives our wines their unmistakable identity.
The Amarone Riserva Rinaldo Marchesini is produced solely in our finest vintages — 2012 (4,000 bottles), 2013 (3,000 bottles), and our current 2015 (a limited production of 1,500 bottles for the world). The process begins with the appassimento: after hand selection in September–October, the chosen grape clusters are laid out to dry in our fruttaio (drying lofts) or on racks (arele) for approximately 100 to 120 days, under carefully monitored conditions. This step allows the grapes to lose water, concentrate flavors, sugars, and phenolic compounds, all while preserving aromatic integrity.
Once the grapes reach their optimal dehydration and concentration, they are gently pressed and fermented. What follows is a long period of maturation: the wine is aged for seven to eight years in French oak barrels, followed by additional years in bottle to further refine body, structure, and harmony. The result is a powerful yet gracious wine — 16 % alcohol, with a full and elegant frame, and complex aromas of dark cherry, chocolate, tobacco, cloves, vanilla, and a hint of white pepper.
On the palate, it unfolds with fruit up front, then gradually warms the throat, unveiling richer layers of wood, spice, and cocoa. Its tannins are smooth, the finish is long and generous, and it reveals itself not in a rush, but with elegance and depth.
Our broader portfolio shares this same devotion:
• A Chardonnay IGT, expressing freshness and balance.
• A Rosso Veronese (12 %) — straightforward and lively.
• Valpolicella Classico (12.5 %) and Valpolicella Superiore (13 %) — reds that are versatile, easy to pair, and soft in tannin.
• Ripasso Superiore — with its double fermentation, offering deeper texture and richer aromatics.
• Amarone Classico (15.5 %) — bold and intense, with notes of marasca cherry, sultana, cocoa, vanilla, and spice.
Every bottle we craft carries the warmth of Valpolicella — its sunlight, its fruit, and the legacy of generations who tended these vines since the 19th century. While we are proud of our awards and accolades, the greatest reward is witnessing someone’s face light up when they taste a Monte Cillario wine for the first time — that silent recognition, that intimate connection, is the truest measure of our success.
Year Wine / Label Award / Trophy Details / Comments
2011 Casa Erbisti Amarone della Valpolicella DAWA – Commended The wine was recognized with a “Commended” distinction in the Decanter Asia Wine Awards.
2013 Amarone della Valpolicella (DOCG) Berlin Wine Trophy – Grand Gold Monte Cillario won a Grand Gold trophy at the Berlin Summer Tasting 2018 for its 2013 vintage.
2015 Casa Erbisti Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Falstaff: 93 points The 2015 vintage of Casa Erbisti Amarone was awarded 93 points by Falstaff.
2016 Casa Erbisti Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Falstaff: 90 points The 2016 vintage achieved 90 points by Falstaff in their tasting.
Various Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Berlin Wine Trophy – Grand Gold (general listing) Monte Cillario’s Amarone is listed with a Grand Gold in Berlin Wine Trophy listings.
2016 Monte Cillario (Producer) DAWA – Com
Highlights & Interpretation
• The Grand Gold distinction at the Berlin Wine Trophy is a prestigious recognition in major international wine competitions. (Monte Cillario’s 2013 Amarone achieved this)
• High Falstaff point scores (90 and above) for Casa Erbisti Amarone vintages help position your wines among well-respected Italian labels.
• The Decanter Asia Wine Awards (DAWA) recognition shows exposure in key markets beyond Europe, especially Asia.
Your father has always been a mentor in your life and has taught you a lot about the tradition of making good wines. What is the most significant thing you have learned from him that has had the greatest impact on how you run your business?
My father has always been more than a parent to me — he has been my mentor, my guide, and my greatest teacher. He is the man who taught me that nothing in life comes without effort. I still remember his words: ‘If you don’t work, you don’t eat.’ At the time, those lessons felt tough, but now I understand they were acts of love — lessons meant to prepare me for the world. Through him I learned that love alone is not enough; strength, discipline, and independence must walk alongside it.
The most significant lesson he taught me, as a daughter, was about patience and respect for the process. I can still picture us walking together through the drying lofts, the air filled with the sweet perfume of withering grapes. He would tell me, ‘Carolina, you cannot rush wines— the grapes will tell you when they are ready.’ Those words became the philosophy that guides my work and my life. In wine, as in life, greatness cannot be hurried.
Today, our relationship has transformed into a partnership built on trust and mutual respect. After proving my dedication to the family business, he began giving me the freedom to make decisions, to innovate, and to bring new ideas to Monte Cillario. One of the most meaningful moments of my life was when he supported me in creating my own vintage — the Recioto 2022, a wine that carries both my name and my signature. It is a symbol of his belief in me and of the bridge between generations that our family represents.
From my father, I learned that true success is never about rushing or chasing trends; it’s about honoring the character of each vintage, the health of our Veronese soil, and the integrity of our name. His philosophy — to listen carefully to the land, to our people, and to those who enjoy our wines — has become the foundation of how I lead Monte Cillario today. And for that, I will always be grateful. He is my mentor, my compass, and my dearest friend.
How do you view the wine sector and customers’ appreciation of fine wines?
I believe we are living in a golden age of curiosity. Today’s wine lovers are more informed, curious, and open-minded than ever before. They no longer choose wines only for their labels or reputation — they want to understand the story behind them, the land, and the people who make them. There’s a growing appreciation for authenticity, for wines crafted with soul and integrity, and that is a wonderful environment for a family winery like ours. Authenticity has always been our greatest strength.
Technology has completely changed the way people connect with wine. Nowadays, anyone can look up a bottle online, check reviews, compare scores from magazines, or even explore tasting notes through dedicated apps. Information is transparent and accessible. Unlike years ago, when people relied solely on word-of-mouth, today you can verify almost anything — from a wine’s origin and rating to its particular style and story. I see this as something positive, because it encourages wineries to be more open, honest, and consistent with their values.
In my case, I’ve embraced this evolution by using platforms such as LinkedIn to introduce Monte Cillario to a global audience. I share our philosophy, our heritage, and the love we pour into every bottle. Even though we are not a mass-production company, we are proud to be recognized for our quality, our values, and our devotion to craftsmanship. I’ve learned that people around the world truly appreciate that — they want wines that reflect care, not quantity; emotion, not marketing. And that is why Monte Cillario has found a home in so many hearts around the world.
Its origins in the wine sector date back to 1886. Since then, its winery has evolved considerably, and producing quality products is now a real challenge in today’s world.
How have they managed to evolve over the years?
The key to evolving for more than 130 years is having an anchor. For us, that anchor has always been our unwavering commitment to the unique terroir of Valpolicella. Everything begins there — with our soil, our grapes, and the people who care for them.
Our story began in 1886, when my great-grandfather and his family started as humble grape growers. For decades, we cultivated and sold our fruit to neighboring wineries in Verona, earning their trust for the quality of our harvests. The goal back then was simple: to grow the best grapes our land could offer. Over the generations, that commitment became our identity.
In 2009, after years of learning, building, and perfecting our craft, we reached a turning point — we became a completely independent winery. With this change, we embraced our own mission and vision, creating a collection of eight wines — one white and seven reds — that reflect both our roots and our innovation. My cousins Enrico and Ricardo, my uncle, and my father have all devoted their lives to the soil. My father, in particular, has spent countless hours in the vineyard and with the machines, ensuring every step meets our standards of excellence.
Each generation has contributed a new layer to our evolution. My great-grandfather perfected vineyard practices; my grandfather expanded our reputation across Italy; my father introduced modern cellar hygiene that elevated the quality of our wines. Today, my role is to carry our story beyond Italy — to the global stage. Through travel, communication, and technology, I connect with sommeliers, restaurateurs, and wine lovers from around the world, sharing who we are and what makes Monte Cillario unique.
To evolve in today’s world is not just about adapting — it’s about staying true to our roots while embracing new tools to express them. That balance between tradition and innovation is what defines Monte Cillario. The world may change, but our values remain the same: authenticity, family, and respect for the land that has sustained us since 1886.
And what are your plans for the future? How do you see your company and your wines in the next ten years?
The next ten years will be a defining chapter for Monte Cillario — and for me personally. I feel both a great responsibility and a deep sense of purpose. My father has spent his entire life dedicated to this winery; it has been his reason to wake up every day. For years, I used to tell him that he should slow down, that he should enjoy more of life. But he always replied, ‘No, no, no — I can’t stop.’ Only recently, after losing many of his lifelong friends, he began to realize how precious time is. Now he tells me that I should take the lead, that I should carry our legacy forward. And that trust means everything to me.
Over the next decade, I intend to take Monte Cillario to a new level — one that honors our roots while embracing new horizons. My dream is to form a partnership between our family winery and another producer — a union that will bring together two worlds: the Valpolicella Classica area and the Extended Valpolicella area. Both cultivate the same indigenous grapes but express them through different terroirs, philosophies, and winemaking techniques. My goal is to find the perfect balance between these two identities — to allow them to collide and create something extraordinary. It will be a beautiful surprise, a blend of traditions, soils, and visions that I believe will redefine excellence.
Today, Monte Cillario is already present in the United States — from New York’s five boroughs to Florida, from Europe to Dubai — and my plan is to continue expanding throughout the Middle East and Asia. This growth will always be guided by the values that define us: authenticity, respect for the land, and relentless pursuit of quality.
In the next ten years, I see Monte Cillario becoming a benchmark for what a modern, heritage-driven winery can be. My vision rests on three pillars: sustainability, connection, and exploration. We will build stronger, more personal relationships with those who love our wines, creating experiences that go far beyond the bottle. And we will continue to explore forgotten indigenous grape varieties, producing limited-edition wines that tell new stories of Valpolicella. In ten years, I want Monte Cillario to be a symbol of how tradition and innovation can coexist — timeless, yet perfectly in tune with its time.