Welcome to Episode 2475 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald meets Christina Solazzo of Dialect Imports.


Key Takeaways:

  • Multigenerational continuity: how wineries can evolve and adapt to global markets.
  • Women in wine: reshaping the industry with fresh perspectives and leadership.
  • Scarcity & varietal diversity: how Italy’s diverse grape heritage creates opportunities to connect with new consumers.

This episode of the Italian Wine Podcast is powered by Dialect Imports.


More about the guest: 

Christina Solazzo is a second-generation wine importer and the CEO & Co-Founder of Dialect Imports. She holds an MBA and an MA in Food Studies from Chatham University’s Falk School of Sustainability, a BA in Sociology from the College of Wooster and WSET Level 2. First introduced to the industry through her father’s import company, she built her own career in partnership management, events, and marketing for food and wine organizations. With Dialect Imports, Christina champions multigenerational wineries rooted in the hyperlocal traditions of Italian culture, with a portfolio that strongly features female producers. At 30, she brings fresh perspective and entrepreneurial drive to Italian wine in the US.

Connect: 

Website: https://dialectimports.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dialectimports 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dialectimports/ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-solazzo-18083972/ 


More about the host:

With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara specializes in D2C marketing and business development. She's led roles from entry level to senior management, combining her extensive experience with data analysis, critical thinking and storytelling while driving revenue growth and brand recognition for California wineries. As a part of the 4th generation of an Italian-American family among the California wine industry pioneers, Barbara has spent her life around wine growing, production, marketing, distribution and hospitality. A Syracuse University graduate, she returned to California to gain diverse industry perspectives from a range of wineries.

As an Italian Wine Ambassador, she brings her expertise to the Italian wine market, known for its authenticity and consumer demand. Barbara now runs Apri La Creative Consulting, coaching wineries in Italy and the US to strategically develop their D2C channels in line with their brand values. Together with her husband, Barbara also owns and operates a boutique wine production company, and a small import company specializing in Italian wines to the US.

Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbarajeanfitz/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fitzgerald-iwa/

Website: https://www.aprilacreative.com/ 

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Until next time, Cin Cin!