Estate Director Manuel Louzada Named CEO of New Luxury Wine Division for Stoli Worldwide
New York, NY (August 4, 2015) ‒ Stoli Group USA has added Arínzano to its fine wine portfolio, following parent company SPI Group’s recent acquisition of the distinguished estate in northern Spain for its new luxury wine division. SPI Group has also announced the appointment of Manuel Louzada as CEO of the new luxury division, to oversee Arínzano and Achaval-Ferrer, and Italian estates Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Castelgiocondo and Luce della Vite, a joint-venture with Marchesi de’Frescobaldi and Michael Mondavi. Stoli Group USA will retain exclusive distribution rights for Achaval-Ferrer and Arínzano in the U.S. market.
Located in the northeast of Spain between Rioja and Bordeaux, the Arínzano vineyards were first planted in the 11th century. In 2007, Arínzano was the first estate in northern Spain to be named a Vino de Pago (or D.O. Pago), the highest qualification reserved for single estates that produce wines of terroir distinction and character. Current releases of Arínzano include Gran Vino and La Casona.
“We are inspired by our success with Achaval-Ferrer in the U.S. to continue to build a singular portfolio of fine wine estates,” states Patrick Piana, CEO of Stoli Group USA. “Arínzano is an undiscovered gem from northern Spain, and it represents a new frontier for us led by Manuel Louzada’s unparalleled experience and vision.”
Manuel Louzada holds an agricultural engineering degree and a postgraduate degree in oenology from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, and was most recently the Estate Director of Bodega Numanthia, a critically-acclaimed Moët Hennessy property based in D.O. Toro. Born into a winemaking family, Louzada acquired his passion for vineyards and winemaking from an early age. “Arínzano is a unique place, which stands out as one of the foremost pagos in Spain,” notes Louzada. “With our entire luxury wine portfolio, my key role is to develop our vineyards and winemaking to their fullest while also preserving the legacy and beauty we have inherited.”
About Stoli Group USA
Stoli Group USA, LLC is the North American subsidiary of SPI Group, recognized globally for pioneering heritage and the outstanding Stolichnaya® brand of premium vodkas and its division of fine wine estates. New York-based Stoli Group USA reflects significant growth investment in the U.S. market by parent company SPI Group and will drive the spirit and fine wine brands forward through new marketing, sales and brand innovation. Internationally distributed Stolichnaya vodkas are bottled in Latvia and are known for award-winning flavor and impeccable clarity. Considered a trailblazer in the vodka industry, Stolichnaya vodka defines the benchmark for quality with meticulously crafted liquid that meets the highest Alpha Spirit standard. Properties in the luxury wine portfolio include Arínzano and Achaval-Ferrer, and Italian estates Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Castelgiocondo and Luce della Vite, a joint-venture with Marchesi de’Frescobaldi and Michael Mondavi. Stoli Group USA retains exclusive distribution rights for Achaval-Ferrer and Arínzano in the U.S. market. For more information visit www.stoli.com or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stoli and on Twitter @Stoli.
