Welcome to Episode 1905 Stevie Kim moderates Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner – In this episode, Scott Thomas interviews Lia Tolaini Banville. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and replayed here on the Italian Wine Podcast!

Listen in on this series as Italian Wine Ambassadors all over the world chat with Stevie and their chosen wine producer. Which producer would you interview if you had your pick?

Co-Moderator - Scott Thomas

Scott Thomas is a wine culturalist, educator, and sommelier with a twenty-year career in the wine industry. He is the founder of Grappolo Wine School, a Denver-based academy offering immersive wine travel, wine events, and structured courses, including the VIA's Italian Wine Maestro certification. He is also the wine director at Restaurant Olivia, a pasta-focused concept with an Italian-heavy wine list.

His passion for Italian wines grew during his two years in Piedmont and Tuscany, where he earned a Master's in Wine Culture from Slow Food's University of Gastronomic Sciences and gained practical experience in the vineyards of Chianti Classico. Scott's professional credentials include Italian Wine Ambassador and educator, Certified Wine Educator, WSET III, and an official Orvieto Ambassador and Langhe Wine Ambassador.

More about today’s guest - Lia Tolaini Banville

Lia is an inspiring leader who since 2004 has grown Banville Wine Merchants to a team of over 70 people with a portfolio that includes top producers from Italy, France, Germany, Slovenia, Argentina, New Zealand, and the USA. Banville Wine Merchants is a national importer, and as well, they have wholesale businesses in five states: New York, New Jersey, Washington, DC, Virginia, and Oregon. In 2020 Lia created Banville Wine Merchants wine agency in Canada in Ontario and Manitoba.

Lia also owns the highly acclaimed Tolaini winery in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Tuscany Italy that was started by her father Pier Luigi Tolaini in 1998. In 2006 as well Lia developed Donna Laura, a winery producing 4 Sangiovese based wines from the Chianti Classico region.

Lia’s children -Alicia, Alex, and Matteo – are also now working with Lia in the family businesses.

Guest Moderator: Scott Thomas

Instagram @_scott_thomas_wino

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/scott-thomas-cwe-iwa-215069177/

Website: grappolowineschool.com

Guest Speaker: Lia Tolaini Banville

Facebook Lia Tolaini Banville

Instagram liabanville, tolainiwine, banvillewine

LinkedIn Lia Tolaini Banville

Website www.banvillewine.com www.tolaini.it 

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Until next time, Cin Cin!

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