About Us

Aldo Di Filippo

Regional Sales Manager Pacific

Aldo was born in the Italian region of Abruzzo but raised in a small town in the province of Ascoli Piceno (in the region of Marche). His career in wine began in his early 20s when he worked for a leading wine and spirits distributor handling over 1,800 labels from around the world. Over the last 18 years, he has traveled extensively throughout various wine regions (Italy, France, Australia, and New Zealand ). He also worked a harvest at Auntsfield Estate (Marlborough, New Zealand) in 2019, an experience that expanded his growing knowledge of New World wines. He has completed Italian Sommelier Association certification levels I and II and is currently studying for his WSET level 3 certification. With Ethica Wines since 2021.

Alessandro Angelini

Compliance & Credit Manager

Joined the wine industry in 1996 as Export Director for a large Italian winery and has worked in the wine export business since. His focus territory is the US and Canadian markets, where he has extensively and frequently traveled acquiring deep knowledge from both markets. With Ethica Wines since the very beginning.

Alessandro Borghi

Trade Marketing Specialist - USA

Alessandro was born and raised in Veneto. His academic studies first brought him to Piacenza where he studied Viticulture and later to the Business School of Bologna to study Food and Wine Management. During the last years, he worked in the micro-vinification winery at the Mach Foundation in Trento, and he had the chance to visit Chile while working the harvest at a winery. To further enhance his knowledge of the wine industry he obtained his WSET 2 certification and attended the Alta Scuola del Sangiovese courses. For him, wine is a continuous exploration and ongoing adventure where he has the opportunity to merge his knowledge of both the technical side of viticulture/ winemaking and those of his management skills acquired. With Ethica Wines since September 2021.

Andrea Pucci

Sales Area Manager - OR, WA, AK, MT, ID

Born and raised in Italy, he moved to San Francisco at 25 to work for a local Italian wine importer. After two years, he joined Winebow. From 2003 to 2009, Andrea worked in Italy for Teruzzi and Puthod in San Gimignano, and Tenuta Argentiera in Bolgheri as a commercial director. In 2009 he decided to move back to the US and settled nearby Seattle, where he joined Youngs’ Market Company as the Italian wines category manager. Later he moved to Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, managing the Antinori and Ste Michelle Lux portfolio in the Pacific Northwest region.

Andrea Vescovi

Regional Sales Manager Western Canada

Born in Rome, Italy to a family of chefs and vintners, it would only seem fitting that Andrea grew up to become an integral part of the wine and food industry. His family immigrated to Vancouver, BC in the early 70s, and in his 20’s started his career working at some of the best-awarded restaurants in Canada. Andrea earned his stripes at the award-winning Bluewater Café as wine director from 2001-2015. He amassed numerous wine list awards and attained the prestigious, Sommelier of the Year, bestowed by the International Sommelier Guild of Canada at the 2009 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, along with the Vancouver Magazine restaurant awards in the same year. In 2015 Andrea became an integral part of the creative and designing team opening various restaurants around Vancouver notably: Ancora restaurant & Patio (awarded Canadabest.com 2016-2019), Tutto Restaurant & Bar in 2020. “Enjoying wine is a celebration of life, I love the fact that you can meet someone for the first time and next thing you know they are inviting you into their home offering you a friendship and a glass of wine.” With Ethica Wines since 2022.

Angelina Rosa

Logistics Specialist

Angelina Rosa is a native New Yorker and a recent alumna of the Fashion Institute of Technology. After several PR and marketing internships for a portable meditation module startup, she began working with one of her professors as an import coordinator at an apparel manufacturer. She has recently developed a passion for farming and pursued this by living in a treehouse on a small farm in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami. She is also currently a teacher’s assistant for a professor of an International CSR course at FIT as well as a contributor for an upcoming second edition of an Ethical Fashion and Corporate Social Responsibility Textbook for the State University of New York. With Ethica Wines since 2022.

Ariela Di Marco

Sales Area Manager - South & West Florida

Ariela was born in Voghera, a small town near Milan, Italy. She grew up between Lombardy and Piedmont Regions and lived in a few places worldwide before landing in sunny Miami. After graduating high school, she moved to Milan where she pursued her studies in Visual Arts and worked for several Italian TV and Advertisement Agencies as a video maker and in the production and camera departments.

After 7 years in the TV business, she headed to Rome where her career veered towards event planning and marketing. While there, she completed a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communication, she began working as an event and marketing manager for a local agency. Her passion for the Italian Food & Wine industry and desire to expand her horizons lead her to give the US a go. She headed first to NYC, then Washington DC, and Dallas, TX where she spent several years promoting and developing Italian brands in these territories. With Ethica Wines since 2023.

Beatrice Cataldo

Logistic Specialist – US

Beatrice was born and raised in Florence, Italy. Having roots in both Campania and Trentino, her multidialectal families most definitely sparked her initial interest in languages. After finishing high school, she decided to start her adventure all solo, moving to the birthplace of her mother. Finding herself in the valley between Trento & Bolzano, she truly immersed in the outdoors lifestyle. Following this, at twenty-one years old, along with her friend, she embarked on what turned out to be a two-year cultural stay in Australia. Upon her return to Italy, she began her linguistic studies in Trento. Just before graduating in 2018, she was introduced to the wine industry to work alongside a brand management agency that handles wine exports to the USA. This unexpected discovery proved to be a very fascinating and inspiring sector in which she wants to continue to learn, grow and learn. With Ethica Wines since 2022.  

Benjamin Burke

Sales Area Manager - Colorado

Benjamin hails from the rolling hills of New England where he grew up helping his mother in her vegetable garden, learning to cook, exploring the Audubon preserve behind his home, and working at a family friend’s farm stand. These things instilled a love for the land and working with his hands at a young age – traits he has carried with him throughout his career. He completed his B.S. in Food & Beverage Management in Denver, CO and has been in the food and wine industry ever since. After graduation, Benjamin moved to Arles, France to complete an apprenticeship in the kitchen of a Michelin one star restaurant where his skill and determination ultimately led him to head the pastry department.  He has worked in restaurant kitchens around Denver and eventually transitioned to front-of-house at a fine dining Italian restaurant as an assistant sommelier. He then moved on to operate a beverage program of his own at another Italian restaurant, receiving a Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence in 2020. The uncertainty created by the pandemic however, provided the right opportunity to transition into wine and spirits sales, and joining Ethica Wines is the culmination of years of experience and an undying love for Italian wine. He brings in his knowledge, passion, friendliness, and humor in everything that he does.

Carolina Cossu

Director of Sales - South Central & South East

Carolina grew up surrounded by wine, as her father produces wine since 2005. After several years of experience in the fashion industry, she moved to the United States to reach new challenges and to share her love for Italian spirits and wine in a new market. First, she worked in the distillery industry selling Grappa, then she followed the steps of her father within the wine industry. She has since grown to become not only the Sales Director for the South East of the United States but also has received her level 2 WSET. With her love for wine and the industry propelling her, she is now studying for her level 3. With Ethica Wines since 2017.

Damiano Sorato

VP of Sales - On-trade

Damiano was born and raised in Veneto, close to Venice, from a family working in the restaurant business. He grew up surrounded by wine and food at a young age. Wine has always been his passion and, after finishing hospitality school, he got a master's at Italian sommelier association in 2008. He worked as a sommelier in hospitality all around the world for 15 years, included several Michelin starred restaurants in Italy, the USA, UK, and Switzerland. In 2015, he left the restaurant business to focus 100% on the wine business. With Ethica Wines since 2015.

Daniele Carli

Italy Operation Manager

Daniele was born and raised in Trento, at the heart of the Dolomites. After obtaining a degree in history and philosophy at the University of Padova, having always been fascinated by wine, he decided to dedicate himself to wine which led him to professional opportunities that kept him away from his hometown for 10 years, traveling through Prague, Verona and Barolo. Always willing to taste, learn, and continuously update his knowledge on the vast world of wine, he completed the sommelier course with AIS in 2013, following with the WSET Diploma Awards in Wines in 2019. With Ethica Wines since 2022.

Dario Bergamini

Regional Sales Manager Japan

Dario was born in Trieste and after completing studies in Oriental Languages in Venice, he went to the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies for a one year exchange program. Upon returning to Italy he had his first job in the wine industry working for a winery in the Chianti Classico area in Tuscany. This thirst for knowledge led him to undertake studies through The WSET then graduate with a Level 4 Diploma in 2014. After the experience in Tuscany he moved back to Japan, where he currently lives with his family.  Following several years of cooperation with a Japanese importer of Italian wines, he eventually joined Ethica Wines in 2020.

Delphine Constantin

Regional Sales Manager - Quebec & Atlantics

Delphine was born in Marseille, France.  At the age of 10, she immigrated with her family to Montreal, Canada. Spending every summer in Aix-en-Provence, South of France, at her grandparents' house. She always kept her Mediterranean roots and habits. She studied Political science and communications at the University of Montreal, and soon after graduating, she decided to take the challenge of entrepreneurship by co-founding a public relations agency. She was in charge of the sales department and her passion for this field has been determinant to her career. She joined the wine industry, with one of Canada’s largest wine agencies. She has taken up and completed the certification WSET Level III and completed MOOC Champagne certification. With Ethica Wines since 2022.

Diego Todone

Regional Sales Manager Southeast Asia

Diego was born in Vicenza, right in the middle between the Valdobbiadene Prosecco and the Valpolicella areas. During his studies in International Economics conducted between Italy, Spain and South Korea he understood he wanted to live abroad and moved to Thailand in 2013. Since 2016 in the wine business as Brand Manager for leading importers and distributors. With Ethica Wines since 2020.

Elisa Calvello

Head of PR and Communications

Elisa earned a laurea — the equivalent of a master's degree — in foreign languages with a focus on English, French, and Russian at the Università di Genova and an M.S. in strategic communication from Columbia University. She is based in New York City where she has been planning and implementing premium brand strategies since 2014. With Ethica Wines since 2019.

Eric Adams

Junior Systems Analyst

Eric was born and raised in Miami, FL in the United States. He developed a passion for technology early on, which led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at Florida International University (FIU), where he graduated with honors in May 2024. During his time at FIU, he was heavily involved in tech-focused organizations, such as the FIU INIT and Break Through Tech Miami, and won multiple awards, including the prestigious KFSCIS Academic Achievement Award and first place at a hackathon for developing an AI-powered web application. His professional journey began as an IT Support Specialist, where he took on the multifaceted roles of Office 365 administrator, technical support, as well as device repair and configuration. This hands-on experience not only strengthened his foundational knowledge of IT systems but also allowed him to refine his technical skills and grow into a proficient problem solver in the field. In his free time, he enjoys a diverse range of creative and physical activities, from playing multiple instruments and composing music to flying planes and weightlifting. His passion for art, particularly modeling and animating 3d visual effects and scenes in Blender, further showcases his artistic side, while his dedication to fitness reflects his commitment to personal well-being. Driven by a meticulous attention to detail, a boundless sense of creativity, and a passion for tackling complex challenges, he consistently seeks opportunities to expand his skills and make a lasting impact in the tech industry. He is both honored and excited to embark on his journey with Ethica Wines, eager to contribute his technical expertise and critical problem-solving abilities to the company’s continued success and growth.

Erica Eliskases

Planning & US Operation Manager

Erica was born in Trentino Alto-Adige (Italy), in a small village in heart of the Dolomites. Growing up between mountain walks and volleyball games, she has always loved nature and sport.  Graduated in modern languages in the language and business intermediation course, after a year of Erasmus in Germany, she then started her career in international operations in a worldwide company based in Trento, specializing in software and hardware for public administration and healthcare. She is high-spirited and meticulously determined to fulfill every commitment she has taken on, thus deciding to join Ethica Wines, which will allow her to continue to widen her know-how by embracing new challenges in a completely different field. With Ethica Wines since 2022.

Filippo Pasini

Logistics Specialist CAN

Filippo was born and raised in the charming town of Soave, Veneto. His journey began alongside his family, managing an esteemed ice cream parlor renowned for its quality, earning several national and international awards.

Transitioning to the role of Floor manager at Enoteca Realda in Soave (our dearest Anselmi’s Enoteca), Filippo delved into the world of wine. His path, then led him to 'Cantina Anselmi,’ where he explored various facets of the wine industry, immersing himself in the marketing, administration, and even contributing to the winemaking process. Eager to broaden his expertise, Filippo aspires to take a sommelier course, to deepen his knowledge.

Fueled by his fervor for travel and viniculture, Filippo took on this opportunity to join Ethica and his aim is to add value to the company with his skills and determination.

Francesco Ganz

Chief Executive Officer North America & Asia Pacific

Born and raised in the Veneto Dolomites, where he fell in love with the beer and wine industry. After many years of work experience and leading several key projects in this industry across Italy and later worldwide, Francesco continued to he's business endeavors in the USA. As the founder of Ethica Wines, his contributions are key in Ethica's success for the US, Canada, and the Asia Pacific markets. With Ethica Wines since the very beginning.

Frank Mirenda

Sales Area Manager - Wisconsin

Frank was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Through his veins flows an authentic blend of Sicilian and American roots, enriched by the timeless tradition of winemaking. His family's legacy is intertwined with the art of crafting wine, a tradition that found its earliest expression in the cellars of his great-grandfathers' homes. Both Frank’s father and grandfather dedicated themselves to the Wine and Spirits industry for over 80 years and these familial foundations instilled in him a profound appreciation for the finer aspects of life.

Culinary excellence was another cornerstone of Frank’s upbringing, owing to his family's ownership and operation of the renowned Palermo Villa—an Italian restaurant that operated in Milwaukee for over four decades.

His journey within the industry started in 2006, when he moved to Napa Valley with his father, who served as the National Sales Manager for Mario Andretti Winery, here is where Frank embraced a pivotal role. Over three harvest seasons, he embraced the production realm and learned all aspects of winemaking process including selling and educating consumers.

Upon returning to Wisconsin, in collaboration with his father, Frank established their own wine distributorship company, with a strong nine year run by selling Californian and Italian wines.

Frank is beyond excited to start this new chapter with Ethica Wines where he looks forward to furthering the exceptional portfolio of wines thanks to the ten years of experience in sales and the strong relationships he built in this market.

Gabriela Bakotova

POs & Invoicing Specialist

Gabriela was born in Moravia in the Czech Republic, where she grew up with her family. According to family tradition, she graduated from Hospitality School. After several years of experience in the Hospitality sector as well as in Beverage Distribution and Logistics Agency in Italy and the UK, she moved to Miami with her family. With Ethica Wines since 2015.

Gianluca La Venuta

Director of Sales - Northeast

Gianluca was born and raised in Palermo, Sicily. His academic experiences, first in International Relations and then in Wine Export Management, brought him to Bologna, Birmingham, and Trento, giving him the chance to explore different realities and gradually enter the wine business. He faced a new challenge adventure as District Sales Manager in New York. where he evolved into Ethica Wine's Sales Director – Northeast. With Ethica Wines since 2017.

Giovanni Favella

Key Account Manager - Off Trade Central Region

Giovanni was born in Trieste, Italy. He had the opportunity to spend multiple summers in the United States before making the decision to permanently move there. After graduating from high school there, he embarked on a career in the hospitality industry. During this period, Giovanni attended numerous courses offered by the A.I.S. (Association Italian Sommelier) and the A.I.B.E.S (Association Italian Bartenders and Supporters). Following nearly two years in Venice, he returned to his hometown to work for a regional distributor specializing in wine, beer, and spirits.

In 2016, Giovanni started working in Aspen, where he worked as a sommelier in a renowned Italian restaurant. During this time, he continued his pursuit of wine studies with the C.M.S. (The Court of Master Sommeliers) and he enrolled in a certificate program for 'Food & Beverage Management' at Cornell University to enhance his skills. At the end of 2021, Giovanni relocated to Houston, TX, where he assumed the role of beverage director for an Italian restaurant group. Subsequently, he transitioned back to the distribution side of the industry, serving as a sales consultant for one of the leading distributors in the United States. He considers joining Ethica a wonderful opportunity for his career as it gives him the opportunity to work with something he truly loves: ‘not just wine, but Italian wine.

Giovanni Lossi

Sales Area Manager - North California

Giovanni is a veteran in the Italian wine market, with 14 years of wine sales experience on his shoulders. His name is known to be linked with some of the accounts in Northern California, which is undoubtedly also credited to his vibrant personality and in-depth knowledge of wine producers, ranging from the bigger players to the smaller niche wineries. WIth Ethica Wines since 2022.

Giovanni Oliva

Sales Director - APAC (founder)

Giovanni was born and grew up in a tiny village not far from Venice. Just before he graduated from the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Giovanni continued to cultivate his great passion for wine and obtained a Sommelier Certificate. He also completed a Master in “Wine Marketing and Winery Management”. In the same year, he started his career in the wine business, working as Export Manager for famous Prosecco producers. In 2007 he moved to Singapore, where he still lives with his family, having accepted a job as Sales & Marketing Director for Asia for a private Consortium of family-run and owned Italian Wineries. In 2014, Giovanni decided to start his own company together with our CEO Francesco: Ethica Wines Asia Pacific. With Ethica Wines since 2014.

Giuseppe Blanco

Director of Sales - Midwest

Giuseppe was born and raised in a small town in Niscemi, in the province of Caltanissetta, Sicily. In his late teen years, he ventured off to various countries including England, Spain, Chile, Mexico, and the United States, to gain experience in the restaurant business. After living in US for years 7 years and discovering his newfound passion for wines within the restaurant business, he took up a job opportunity as a sales in the Italian wine division of a leading wine importing and distribution company in Illinois in 2001. This fully immersed him into the wine business and led him to become sales manager of the Italian division in 2012. With Ethica Wines since 2022.

Hailey Beike

Trade Marketing Specialist APAC

Iliana Cartone

IT & SAP Project Manager

Iliana was born to Italian immigrants in Caracas, Venezuela. Her nonni and very young parents arrived to Venezuela in the 50’s, looking for better living conditions as many other Italians back at that time. Being born in Venezuela and from Italian immigrants, she was raised with the lovely mix of both cultures and traditions. She studied Systems Engineering at Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas, where she also obtained an MBA in the same university. Soon after the bachelor’s degree, she was hired from an American consulting firm Accenture, specialized in information technology services and consulting.

During her work at Accenture she plunged into SAP and since then she has been participating for 14+ years in SAP implementations around the world for large Consumer Goods and Products industries.

Recently joining Ethica Wines to fill the role of IT & SAP Project Manager – all her experience in business digital transformation and several SAP implementations prepped her up for this role. Having worked as a consultant, it gave her the chance to travel while visiting different countries and cultures in Latin America and Europe, which she cherishes as a very enriching experience.

She is very excited and thankful for this opportunity and looks forward to learning more about the wine world, being able to build strong relationships and contribute to the best of her abilities to Ethica Wines’s progress and success.

Juhee Ryou

Regional Sales Manager - South Korea

Juhee was born and raised in Seoul. While she studied Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management at the university, she fell in love with wine and started working in the wine industry in 2005. She worked as a wine buyer and marketing manager in the leading wine importers in South Korea for 17 years and she had been worked with many Italian wineries as a brand manager. Over the years, she has visited various wine regions including Piemonte, Toscana, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and Sicily. She also has experience as a jury of international Wine competitions such as the Berlin Wine Trophy, Asia Wine Trophy, and Visiasia Awards. Passed WSET Level 3 in 2016 and Italian Wine Scholar by Wine Scholar Guild in 2023. With Ethica Wines since 2022.

Lara Lona

Logistics & Purchasing Director

Lara was born and raised in-between the mountains of the Trentino region and lives in Valle di Cembra. Surrounded by the wonderful hills of vineyards, she naturally became passionate about the food and wine industry, loving the beauty of nature. Later, her extraordinary organizational skills brought her to the Purchase departments of wine companies, including Ethica Wines. With Ethica Wines since 2013.

Luke Scileppi

Sales Area Manager - New York & New Jersey

Luke was born in Hyde Park, New York, about fifty miles north of New York City.  A hundred years ago his great-grandparents came to America from Sicily and Campania (Southern Italy).  During his teenage years, he regularly explored New York City, occasionally living there for short periods of time. He permanently moved to New York in 2011.  He started in wine professionally with a serendipitous side job in a wine shop’s storeroom but quickly moved to the sales floor where his appreciation of wine could be put to better use. Luke moved to the distribution part of the business to work for Elevation Wine Partners as a salesperson in Manhattan. A relaxed and obliging serving style has warmed buyers and fellow salespeople alike.  The move to Ethica represents a leap forward in his career and also a welcome opportunity to better understand his Italian heritage; a chance to embrace and cultivate in himself the Italian mode and appreciation of life. With Ethica Wines since 2023.

Marco Ballarin

Sales Area Manager - Los Angeles

Marco was born in Italy, in a small town by the sea just outside Venice. Hs’s deep passion for wine started in the early years thanks to his family’s restaurant where he immersed himself in the world of wine and gastronomy. Determined to further his education, Marco decided to attend the university in the US, earning  a degree in biology.

Soon after college, Marco pursued his dedication of wine and completed the 3 levels of AIS certification (Associazione Italiana Sommelier). Then, he enrolled in a Master in Wine & Spirits Management at Kedge Business school in Bordeaux, France. Upon completion of the master Marco achieved  the WSET Level 3 in wine and focused his research on the correlation between climate change and the return of investment for fine wines. Soon, his journey led him to London where he worked for Liv-ex , giving him the opportunity to deepen his knowledge of wine trading and the secondary market.

In February 2024, Marco embarked on a new chapter of his career by joining Ethica as Sales Manager of Southern California.

Maddalena Pistillo

Sales Area Manager MI, OH & National Prestige Accounts

Maddalena was born in Schio - Vicenza, Italy. Since she was 15 years old, she has always been a world traveler. She started by joining her father on his business trips, then later she spent some time in China throughout University projects while studying Economics in Milan, and later as export manager at her family’s business. In 2015 she graduated in “International Master in Business Administration” at CUOA Business School in Vicenza: a personal and professional life-changing experience that brought her to meet her husband and up took the management of a challenging tourism project in southern Italy. When in 2017 her husband accepted a job offer in Michigan, she had to start from the ground up once again to build her new life in the US as a mother while holding on to her strong entrepreneurial ambitions. Following her passion for fine products, she founded her own business as “made in Italy lifestyle ambassador,” representing excellence in the wine and food industry. She also partnered with a Caviar import company during the pandemic time, which led her to work in the worst market conditions but with the opportunity to dive even more into the fine restaurant industry and community.  She’s now focusing on wine as it has always been her greatest passion, attending the Champagne Master program at the Wine scholar guild and about to start WSET level 3.

Mattia Magnoni

Area Sales Manager Mountains

Mattia Magnoni's passion for hospitality began at a young age, running around his grandparent’s restaurant in his small hometown in Marche, Italy. From there he went on to further his education and experience, attending the Hospitality School, Schoula Alberghiera S. Marta. After graduating, he went on to work in Michelin Star Restaurants around the world in London, Gstaad, Milan, Cannes, Dublin and Miami. His love for fine dining, gourmet food, and fine wine lead him on the path to get his Sommelier Certification with a specialization in Italian wines, small producers and unusual grape varieties. In 2019, his career brought him to Aspen where he found his home in the mountains. On his days off he enjoys skiing, summer hikes, and motorcycle rides around beautiful Colorado. In the off seasons he travels to visit small vineyards and meet with wine makers to further his knowledge and understanding in the wine industry. He is proud and enthusiastic to be a part of the Ethica team !

Michelle Beltrame

Digital Marketing Specialist

Michelle grew up in the Veneto region, where she developed a lifelong passion for sports and the outdoors, particularly through horse riding. While pursuing her academic studies in Foreign Trade, she gained valuable experience working for the Italian Chamber of Commerce in London. A few years later, driven by a desire for new challenges, she relocated to the United States to join a yachting manufacturer in Florida. In 2024, Michelle's enthusiasm for marketing and branding led her to an exciting new role with Ethica Wines.

Niccolò Rossi

Key Account Manager - Off Trade - East Region

Niccolò was born and raised in Milan, Italy where he stayed throughout his formative years. But soon his pursuit of excellence in tennis led him to distant horizons, which opened the door to an athletic scholarship which brought him to the United States to complete his college degree. He double majored in International Business and Psychology in Milwaukee. Then, fueled by a relentless drive for knowledge and growth, Niccolò moved to South Carolina in order to pursue an MBA.  Besides his academic and athletic pursuits, he has always had a great passion for wine ever since he was a child, which stems from his family roots (they own a winery in Chianti). Eager to cultivate his understanding and to deepen his expertise in wine, he completed an internship in the Off-trade department of a prestigious Tuscan winery and furthermore, his dedication to begin his WSET studies.  Niccolò is enthusiast to join Ethica Wines and to give his contribution to its mission in promoting Italy’s finest product in the US. 

Nicola D'Incà

Bookkeeper & Treasury Specialist

Nicola was born and raised in the heart of the Dolomites in Italy's Veneto region. He lives in the city of Belluno. His passion for winemaking stretches back to his childhood when he would help his grandfather produce wine for personal consumption. He graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Venice Ca' Foscari. His years in the professional sector have given him extensive experience in business management. With Ethica Wines since 2021.

Nicola Saltori

Business Analyst - APAC, Canada & Off-Trade

Nicola was born and raised in a small town in the Trentino region, between the Dolomites and the Rotaliana Plain, "the most beautiful vineyard garden in Europe" as defined by Cesare Battisti. Nicola’s interest in wine began in his youth when he helped his uncle with the harvest and wine production for family consumption during the summer break from school. After graduating in Economics & Management from the University of Trento, he gained some work experience in the UK and Italy in the field of business development, to later obtaining his sommelier certification with AIS (Italian Sommelier Association) in May 2022. With Ethica Wines since 2022.

Omar Belhadj

Junior Business Analyst

Omar was born in Rabat, Morocco where he embraced the French educational system, which nurtured his desire to discover new things. With a background in finance and marketing, Omar's insatiable curiosity has driven him to explore new horizons and pursue his passions. His curiosity and thirst for knowledge were evident from an early age, that following his baccalauréat in Physics, he pursued a bachelor's degree in finance and marketing, where he found his true calling.

Eager to apply his knowledge to the real world, Omar gained valuable experience in the banking and consulting fields in Morocco. These experiences allowed him to hone his analytical skills and gain a deeper understanding of business operations.

Upon completing his MBA at the University of North Florida, Omar joined Ethica Wines as a business analyst. With a strong desire to make a mark in the wine industry, Omar is poised to contribute to the growth and development of the company.

At Ethica Wines, he seeks to further his understanding of the sector, explore innovative approaches, and make a positive impact globally.

Paola Lena

Chief Financial Officer

Paola was born in the beautiful Tuscany. After spending her childhood surrounded by those legendary landscapes, she moved back to the small village in the Dolomites her family originally came from. Gained lots of experience in retail and distribution. With Ethica Wines since 2015.

Paola Virone

Sales Area Manager Southeast and North Texas

Born in Genova into a family of food enthusiasts and avid travelers, Paola’s passion for exploration was nurtured from an early age, fostering a profound adaptability to thrive in diverse, multicultural environments. 

Fueled by an insatiable curiosity for the world of food and beverage, she pursued her studies at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Piemonte, examining the complex relationships that determine methods of production and consumption.

Throughout her academic tenure, she seized invaluable work opportunities abroad, from Finland, where she contributed to a Gin and Whisky distillery, to Copenhagen, where she worked for a Michelin-starred restaurant, then, back to Italy, she immersed in the art of Vermouth production. 

Armed with a degree in hand, she furthered her expertise by obtaining her WSET 2 certification in Spirits, leading her to one of Italy's leading e-commerce platforms specialized in wine and spirits.

Paolo Bressan

VP of Sales - Off-trade

The winemaking university in Conegliano Veneto is where Paolo started his path in the wine industry. After working in the cellar for a few harvest seasons in Sicily, California, and Veneto, he decides to move to London and learn how to promote and sell wine. In 2009 Paolo met Francesco (CEO of Ethica Wines) and soon after that, the idea of promoting premium Italian wines in Asia and North America was born. With Ethica Wines since the beginning as Co-founder.

Paolo Cressi

Sales Area Manager - Nevada

Paolo is a native of Bergamo, Lombardy, a beautiful town located in the North part of Italy. He grew up and intensively lived his youth time working at his family restaurant in Sarnico, a picturesque village on the river of Lake Iseo. He fell in love with the food and beverage business and later started his own company by opening two stores in Bergamo, selling high-end Italian food products. He moved with his family in 2015 to Los Angeles, where he built a solid professional network in the wine business, working with an importer of boutique wineries. Paolo has attended and completed the three levels of the Italian Sommelier Association in Italy and now holds a Level 3 WSET qualification. With Ethica Wines since 2022.

Riccardo Giacobbo

Sales Area Manager - Mid Atlantic

Riccardo is originally from Veneto, he grew up in a small town near the Prosecco area. Since he was a kid, he has always been surrounded by the wine environment. Since he was 17, he has always worked at the weekends in restaurants and wine bars, driven by his passion and curiosity for everything related to food and wine. After the diploma, he started studying Business Administration and Management in Venice and during his studies, he started traveling and working in the surfing industry in France and Portugal, as he always loved to get in touch with different places and cultures and communicate in different languages.

He then decided to try to turn his passion for wine into an occupation, so he started working for an e-commerce of wine and spirits to learn how to deal with the commercial part of the product and then he did some experiences in the vineyards in Veneto and Burgundy. With Ethica Wines since 2023.

Robert Zaun

Sales Area Manager - North Florida

A Florida native, Robert began his journey and wine nearly 15 years ago at a small, fine dining restaurant in the north of the state. It was here that he studied and worked as a sommelier, eventually running highly acclaimed wine programs. From there, Robert made the jump into distribution, working for two prestigious suppliers of small estate fine wines and craft spirits. His love for the world of wine and thirst for knowledge has taken him to many points over the globe; traveling extensively in the agricultural regions of Italy, France, Spain, Germany and the United States. Always learning, Robert is currently studying for his WSET Level III. With Ethica Wines since 2022.

Roberta Picco

Regional Sales Manager - Greater China

Roberta was born and raised in Piedmont and currently resides in Hong Kong. She received a master’s degree in Chinese Language and Economics from Ca' Foscari University of Venice as well as a master’s degree in Wine Culture, Communication & Management from the Gastronomic Sciences University of Pollenzo. Roberta gained significant experience in the international wine business while working for leading wineries and wine importers in Italy and Hong Kong. With Ethica Wines since 2017.

Roberto Sanso

Sales Area Manager - South & East Florida

Simone Iacopini

Director of Sales - West Coast

Simone was born in Torino and grew up in Rome. He attended the American University in Washington DC, where he graduated in International Relations. In 2005, he obtained an MBA in International Business in Trieste at MIB School of Management. Throughout the years, he developed a passion for wines and became a Level II AIS Sommelier in Rome. Simone finally fulfilled his dream of working in the wine industry when he moved to NYC in 2010 to work for Lis Neris winery from Friuli as a brand ambassador. He has now been working in managing sales in the wine industry for 12 years. He spent almost 9 years in New York, working for 3 years as Wine Consultant at Vias Imports, and 5 years as Sales Manager for the Italian portfolio of Kobrand Corporation covering the Northeast of the USA. In 2019, Simone moved to Los Angeles to work for Marchesi Antinori as Californa State Manager, where he worked for over 3 years. With Ethica Wines since 2022.

Sofia Mason

Product Marketing Assistant

Sofia was born and raised in Treviso, Italy. Her educational journey began at Ca' Foscari University in Venice, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Management. Her passion for the subject led her to further studies at the same university, where she embarked on a Master’s Degree in International Management. Yearning for an international experience, she fulfilled a long-held dream to study in the United States, attending a semester at Texas A&M University. Sofia has always been enthusiastic about wine and international business, so she is thrilled to be part of the Ethica Wines team. She was particularly drawn to this opportunity due to the youthful, energetic nature of the team and the innovative spirit that pervades the company. Sofia obtained her WSET Level 2 in Wines.

With Ethica Wines since 2022.

Stephen Deyton

Sales Area Manager Southwest Texas

Stephen is originally from a small town in Alabama called Fairhope. He brings over 21 years of experience in the wine industry. His wine journey began with a four-year immersion in the South of France, where he earned a degree in Sommelier at the Universite Du Vin at Château Suze-la-Rousse.

Following his studies, he honed his skills in San Francisco’s culinary scene, working in several Michelin-starred restaurants. Notably, he served as sommelier for Michael Mina, learning under the esteemed guidance of Rajat Parr, a renowned sommelier and now winemaker in California.

Over the past 21 years, Stephen  been lucky to travel to various wine regions, including California, Oregon, France, Italy, and Spain. In 2019, he had the privilege of participating in a harvest in Oregon with Jay McDonald at EIEIO, a renowned boutique winery.

Transitioning from restaurants to wine distribution, Stephen joined RNDC in 2020, one of our national partners, on the Vanguard Team. Then in September 2023, he achieved his WSET III in Wine.

During Stephen’s tenure at RNDC, he forged a strong professional relationship with Carolina Cossu and his alignment with Ethica is serendipitous, given his profound respect for Italian traditions.  

Stephen is thrilled to contribute his extensive experience and deep passion for the industry to the Ethica Wines team. 

Vera Malisani

Marketing Director & VP of Sales Canada & APAC

Vera grew up harvesting, tasting wines in the most prestigious wineries and Venetian hotels, meeting people from all over the world; hence her passion for wine, food, and traveling. She studied simultaneous interpreting for the European Union and got a sommelier master's degree. Living in the UK, Spain, Australia, and Asia she, even more, realized the unique Italian biodiversity so she decided that promoting authentic Italian wine culture would be her mission no matter where her house would be. With Ethica Wines since 2014.

Veronica Zonta

Marketing Team Leader

Veronica was born in Veneto and after obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Management in Venice, she moved to New York and had her first experience in the wine business. Back in Italy, she completed a Master's Degree in Global Entrepreneurship and she finally moved to Miami to follow her passion for the wine industry. With Ethica Wines since 2019.

Victoria Ciobanu

Sales Manager Europe

Victoria was born and raised in Moldova, where she lived until she graduated at the Faculty of Political Science and International Diplomatic Relations. She received a bilingual education, as Moldova was a republic under the USSR up to 1991, thus her native languages being Russian and Romanian. At the age of 24 years, she decided to embark on the journey to explore the world and moved to the United Kingdom, where she lived and worked as a bookkeeper for 4 years.  ⁠

It was fate that brought her to Italy, where her family moved to Trento in the meantime. She completely fell in love with Italy, its beautiful landscape, gastronomy, and wine. Starting a new job in a wine company ignited her passion for the wine world. Eight years working within the export department strengthened her knowledge of both wine and commercial practices while also cultivating her passion through wine courses (AIS 1 level), various tastings, wine fairs and events. With Ethica Wines since 2022.⁠

Virginia Pietrangelo

Bookkeeper

Yuko Kobayashi

District Sales Manager – Japan