Marina Cvetic

Marina Cvetić Masciarelli, a winemaker with Croatian-Serbian roots who has lived in Italy for more than three decades, recently has been included in the elite society of Italian food and wine producers. At the suggestion of Italian Minister of Entrepreneurship Adolfo Urso and Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida, 25 of them were appointed by the Italian president Sergio Mattarella, as the new Knights of Labor. The honor of representing Italian wine excellence went to Marina Cvetić, who has been running the renowned Masciarelli winery since 2008, located in the Abruzzo region in central Italy. The winery was founded in 1981 by her late husband Gianni Masciarelli, a visionary of the development of the contemporary Italian wine scene, who, thanks to the production of wine from local grape varieties, made Abruzzo famous on the international wine scene. From the initial 2.5 hectares of vineyards, Mrs. Cvetić expanded production to 320 hectares of vineyards in the areas of L'Aquila, Pescara, Teramo and Chieti. Her daughters Chiara and Miriam Masciarelli help her in the business. With 2 million bottles annually, they are among the leading producers of red wine Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, and their Castello di Semivicoli - a restored 17th-century castle, is a symbol of luxury wine tourism and hospitality.

"This award is extremely emotional for me and a great privilege, coming to us in a significant year when we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Marina Cvetić wine line. I want to share this recognition with my family, with all the people who work with us every day, with the Abruzzo region that inspires us in our dedication. Of course, the title also belongs to Gianni Masciarelli, who from the beginning believed in the unusual potential of wines from Abruzzo - says Marina Cvetić.

In September, she will visit Mali Lošinj and join the 14th International Taste the Mediterranean Festival. Her top wines will be served at an exclusive dinner at the Alfred Keller restaurant in the Boutique Hotel Alhambra (1 Michelin*).  The dinner will be prepared on September 11 by Italian chef Peter Brunel - Ristorante Gourmet, Arco, Trento (Lago di Garda) 1 Michelin* and host chef Daniel Skokić .