Our Winery
Devoted to purity, green standards and making wine the traditional way since 1915
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The San Simone Winery spans across 148 acres of lush of Italian countryside and was founded by Gino and Olga Brisotto in 1915. The winery was then called, Brisotto Wine Cellar. Their first headquarters was in Prata, Italy on St. Simone street, opposite a beautiful fourteenth century church devoted to Saint Simon. A determined and passionate man, Gino had a vision for the winery's future and could see the winemaking potential of their land.
By 1950 the Brisotto Wine Cellar was still in operation despite having endured two World Wars which destroyed most of the vineyards. Poverty and demand added to their struggles and made it difficult for the winery to survive. With his fierce determination, Gino kept the business afloat by utilizing sharecroppers and transporting wooden barrels of his wine to various taverns with a horse cart.
Eventually Gino's son Antonio and his wife Angela stepped in and breathed new life into the winery. They expanded the business and branched off, selling various liqueurs as well as wine. Sadly, as the couple began to implement positive changes to the winery, Antonio passed. This meant the success of the vineyard rested solely on his wife Angela's shoulders. She kept the winery going, hoping that her son Gino junior would inherit the love of winemaking and join the business when he was old enough.
With inspiration from his father, Gino did go to school for winemaking and completed his education in Oenology at the prestigious school in Conegliano. Once he turned twenty-one, Gino came to the aid of his mother and became the head of the company. In 1965 Gino married the love of his life, Liviana. The two were not only life partners, but work mates as well. Gino and Liviana expanded the winery as they raised their three children in the world of winemaking.
As a man with strong character and conviction, Gino had innovative ideas that spurred the winery ahead. In 1969 he founded the Consortium Friuli Grave Doc. This certification "Doc" Denominazione di Origine Controllata which translates to Controlled Denomination of Origin, was then applied to every bottle of wine from the Friuli Grave wine region. This allowed the winery to put their name on their bottles, making their brand recognizable. It also verified where their wine was made and enabled them to distribute the San Simone wines all over the country. San Simone continued to grow, but Gino was always seeking innovation. He began experimenting with the winemaking process for Prosecco and collaborating with the most qualified winegrowers in the area. Soon he started producing Prosecco, increasing the profits for the winery and adding to the production of wines made in Doc Friuli Grave.
At the turn of the century Gino and Liviana's three children, Chiara, Anna and Antonio became the fourth generation of the family to run the winery. Today the three proudly follow in the footsteps of their parents, Gino and Liviana who transmitted a strong passion for winemaking to them. By employing the traditional methods of natural wine making and infusing their own modern principles, they continue to move forward.
From the vineyard to the bottle, they put the utmost care and attention into every aspect of the wine and the vineyard. They have prioritized preserving the vineyard and have made the winery as sustainable as possible. In 2009 Antonio created the Green Project which implemented a set of green standards that they continue to follow and improve upon. Antonio also founded the Consortium Prosecco Doc. Like their family before them, the new owners are respected and recognized for their winemaking expertise. In 2010 Anna was elected the president of Consortium Friuli Grave Doc and she now serves on the board of directors. With the great grandchildren of the original founders at the helm, there is no doubt that the San Simone Winery will continue to experience success and uphold the traditions that brought them where they are.
Meet Our Wine Artisan
A great wine must evoke emotion. When there is a cultural heritage, or a wine has been passed down from father to son, is what incites Antonio's passion for a wine. As the fourth generation of the family to run the winery, he appreciates the people who make their business possible. He values maintaining excellent relationships with San Simone customers, suppliers and collaborators. Antonio is also passionate about his commitment to the environment. In 2009, he created the Green Project which established green standards that protect the soil, territory and ecosystem of the vineyard. Ensuring the winery is producing wines in the most sustainable way possible is one of his main objectives at San Simone.
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