RAUSCEDO WINERY | A TWO-DAY DISCUSSION IN RAUSCEDO ON THE FUTURE OF WINE AND COOPERATION

A journey that explores the connection between territory, winemaking culture, and innovation , starting from the origins of the supply chain and looking at the challenges facing the sector in the coming years. The initiative, part of the "Le Radici del Vino" event , offers an opportunity to learn more about Cantina Rauscedo, now the leading wine producer in Friuli Venezia Giulia , and to reflect on the evolution of a cooperative model that, without abandoning the values that characterized its foundation, continues to renew itself to respond to market changes and the sector's new needs.

"Le Radici del Vino represents an important opportunity for us to open Rauscedo and present not only our winery, but a region that has something truly special to tell," emphasizes Antonio Zuliani, President of Cantina Rauscedo. "Our history begins with our members, their families, our vineyards, and a community that has built a significant presence over seventy years. Being a cooperative means preserving these values, but also having the responsibility to help them evolve. Our roots should not represent a limit: they are the heritage from which we can build the future and continue to create value for our members and the region."

"In an increasingly competitive and global landscape, cooperation represents an extraordinary strategic lever. Our roots have taught us the value of collaboration, sharing skills, and the ability to work together," states Flavio Geretto, General Manager of Cantina Rauscedo. "Today, these same principles allow us to face new market challenges with greater strength, investing in quality, innovation, sustainability, and service. We believe that the future of wine lies in the ability to valorize the work of people and territories, transforming a collective history into a shared vision capable of generating value for members, customers, and the community."

It's no coincidence that the program begins at the very roots of local viticulture. The history of Rauscedo is closely tied to the world of vine cuttings and applied research, elements that have helped make this area an international hub for viticultural innovation. The journey thus connects all the links in the supply chain, from research to the vineyard, from the winemakers' work to the cellar, highlighting how the quality and identity of wine are the result of an integrated system of shared knowledge, expertise, and investment.

"We want to start from our roots to explain where we want to go," continues Flavio Geretto. "Being a cooperative today can't simply mean harvesting grapes and turning them into wine: it means managing a supply chain, creating value along the entire process, and successfully bringing it to market. Our size must become a competitive advantage, allowing us to combine vineyard control, traceability, technology, winemaking expertise, and commercial acumen."

The opening day, Friday, October 9th, will be dedicated to an in-depth exploration of the connection between grape variety, terroir, and winemaking through a masterclass led by Gabriele Gorelli, Italy's first Master of Wine , along with Cantina Rauscedo winemakers Massimo Vidoni and Cristian Paladin . This will be an opportunity to explore some of the company's most iconic labels and delve deeper into the relationship between research, technique, and winemaking identity.

The central event of the initiative will be the conference "Common Roots, New Challenges ," scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at 10:00 a.m. at the Don Bosco Theater in Rauscedo. The meeting will focus on the prospects for Italian wine and, in particular, the role that cooperation can play in the face of the profound changes currently affecting the wine sector. Guests of honor at the meeting will be Alessio Planeta , a leading Sicilian producer and Winemaker of the Year 2023, and Matteo Zoppas , President of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), who will offer their contributions on the topics of competitiveness, internationalization, and future prospects for Italian wine. The discussion will be moderated by Fabio Piccoli and will include contributions from Denis Pantini of Nomisma Wine Monitor, who will explore the importance and role of cooperation in the winemaking system through data and analysis; Gabriele Gorelli , Italy's first Master of Wine; Christian Maita , Best Sommelier of Italy 2023; of the General Manager of Cantina Rauscedo Flavio Geretto and of the Director of Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo Yuri Zambon .

Through this initiative, Cantina Rauscedo confirms its commitment to promoting opportunities for reflection and discussion on strategic issues for the future of the sector, promoting the cooperative model as a tool capable of generating innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable development for the region and the entire winemaking industry.