La Marca

Born in the historic town of Bergamo, Italy, Claudia Manetta has boundless admiration for the dynamic culture of her homeland. She developed a profound passion for art, literature and foreign languages early on and sought a career that would put these interests to good use. As the Export Manager for La MarcaTM Prosecco, Claudia is an exemplary ambassador for the thousands of wine-growers in Treviso, promoting the territory around the world.

“When I entered the wine industry, I discovered a world where passion, territory and tradition all play a significant role,” Claudia said, “Our goal is to take these wonderful aspects of our unique region and make them known internationally.”

After obtaining her Specialist degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures from Università degli Studi di Bergamo, IT, Claudia worked as an interpreter in her native country. Her heightened ability to communicate paved the way to her becoming an export manager. Ready for a change of pace, she took a chance interview that introduced her to the world of wine. She joined La Marca in 2008 and continues to manage sales for the brand across numerous countries. Claudia says she is honored to promote La Marca and inspire moments of joy for Prosecco fans around the world.

“I have always loved wine and food, as I think they are an essential part of the culture of every country,” Claudia said. “For over 50 years, we have crafted La Marca with only the finest Glera grapes from the heart of Italy’s Prosecco region. Our clean, refreshing wine style elevates any occasion and makes everyday sparkle.”

Over the years, Claudia has grown a deep appreciation for the art of winemaking parallel to her lifetime love of modern and contemporary art. She is grateful for the opportunity to travel, both for work and pleasure, and experience wine culture in different places. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new cities with her husband, riding their motorbike and seizing the opportunity to taste local wines and food. Claudia maintains her adoration for the arts, often finding time to visit exhibitions while traveling.

“Tasting the wine is my favorite reward”

Fabrizio Gatto was exposed to the world of wines from the time he was born. Growing up in the small town of “Latina” in “middle” Italy, Fabrizio’s father owned a small vineyard and taught him about the basics of the wine craft at an early age. These experiences led to Fabrizio’s acceptance into the viticulture program at the prestigious Conegliano Veneto school in Italy at 14 years old, an age when most of his peers were still primarily concerned with mastering their soccer games!

It was at Conegliano Veneto that Fabrizio’s true passion for crafting cutting-edge wines and enjoying the finer things in life began to blossom. Fabrizio seized every opportunity available to him to learn about some of the more modern vinification procedures. He later worked and studied at the R. Phillips Winery and the Martin Brothers Winery in California, where he practiced these methods.
After his successful years of study at Conegliano Veneto, Fabrizio continued his formal wine education by attending the University of Milan where he focused his studies in enology. While attending the university, Fabrizio was honored with a scholarship to the prestigious Cave Yves Cuilleron in France where he directed the vinification of Viognier, Marsanne, and Syrah.

Upon completion of his formal schooling, Fabrizio continued his quest to be a trendsetter in the world of Italian wine by accepting a position as enologist at the Cantina di Microvinificazione of the Agrarian Institute of San Michele all’ Adige. Here, he conducted experiments in vinification and winemaking on over 1,000 Italian grape varieties.

By combining his many different experiences, Fabrizio has grown into one of the premier winemakers in Italy and has been the head winemaker for Ecco Domani wines since the 1995 vintage. Stylistically, Fabrizio’s goal as winemaker is “to produce wines that are fruit forward and food friendly.” Fabrizio goes on to say, “My goal is to start with the best possible grapes and reflect the fruit flavors in the finished wines.” As a winemaker, Fabrizio seeks to achieve a balance and harmony in the basic components of a wine: proper acidity, inviting aromas and moderate alcohol level.

Since 2006, Fabrizio Gatto is consultant winemaker for La Marca winery in Oderzo (Treviso), supervising the production of La Marca’s line of sparkling Prosecco wines and their introduction into the American market. Fabrizio’s contemporary winemaking techniques and cutting-edge wines have helped him become one of the most respected winemakers in Italy, crafting well-balanced Italian wines with inviting flavors and exceptional food compatibility.

Today, the winemaking team supervising La Marca and Ecco Domani consists of Fabrizio Gatto and ten of his colleagues who craft this successful line of fine Italian wines. Together, they scour Italy’s premier wine-growing regions that serve as the source of La Marca and Ecco Domani’s fruit.

Based on the successes of La Marca and Ecco Domani, both here in the U.S. and abroad, it is obvious that this talented winemaker’s years of artistry have won him a fashionable following among urban Italian trendsetters. An avid sportsman, Fabrizio enjoys football (soccer), downhill skiing and sailing. His fashion favorites include Ferragamo ties, Armani clothing and Fratelli Rosetti or Tod’s shoes. On days when he’s not spending time at the winery in Trento or surveying the hillside vineyards, he can be found at home enjoying luscious Italian cuisine and his favorite wines with his wife Cinzia and their four sons.