Born on January 15, 1938, at Gambellara in Vicenza Province in northeastern Italy, Gianni Zonin received a diploma in enology from the Enological Institute of Conegliano Veneto and, afterward, a degree in law. From his early youth, he was involved in the cultivation of grapes and production of wines, an activity in which his family has been engaged for generations. When in 1967 the family operation was trasformed into Cantine Zonin S.p.A., a joint-stock company with headquarters at Gambellara, he became its chairman at the age of 29.

The Zonin Wine House, a company of family-owned vintners since 1821 proud of its heritage and reputation for creating authentic Italian wines, has steadily developed, substantially expanding the number and size of its directly owned vineyards in Italy and the United States through the acquisition of twelve major wine estates. The properties, with 1.800 hectares planted in specialized vineyards, are located in regions that are highly regarded for their production of world-class premium wines.

The Zonin family heads the most important viticultural group in Italy and one of the leading private winemaking companies in Europe. The Zonin Group now employs a total of 500 persons and reported sales of 86 million euro (about $ 76 million US dollars) in 2008. Foreign markets accounted for more than 45% of total sales.

In the 1989 he was conferred by the President of the Italian Republic of the title of Cavaliere del Lavoro, the highest civilian meritorious award conferred by the Italian government.

Gianni Zonin - Banca Popolare di Vicenza