Anthony Terlato
Anthony Terlato | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 11, 1934 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | June 29, 2020 (aged 86) |
| Occupation(s) | Wine industry leader, businessman |
| Known for | Chairman of Terlato Wines; "The Father of Pinot Grigio" |
Anthony Terlato (May 11, 1934 – June 29, 2020) was a prominent Italian-American wine industry leader and chairman of Terlato Wines, headquartered in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Often referred to as "The Father of Pinot Grigio," he was instrumental in bringing this grape variety to the American market during the late 1970s, a time when it was largely unfamiliar outside Europe. Terlato played a crucial role in reshaping U.S. wine consumption habits, guiding consumers away from inexpensive jug wines toward premium Bordeaux classified growths, renowned Italian estates, and leading California vineyards.
Early life and education
Born in Brooklyn, Terlato embarked on his journey in the wine business in 1955 at his father’s Leading Liquor Marts in Chicago. There, he recognized a growing appetite among American consumers for high-quality wines.
Career
In 1956, Terlato became part of his father-in-law’s Pacific Wine Company, specializing in wine bottling. During this period, he forged relationships with trailblazing importers such as Alexis Lichine and Frank Schoonmaker. By the age of 29, he had ascended to the presidency of Pacific Wine Company.
In the late 1960s, Terlato expanded Paterno Imports beyond olive oil into fine wine importing. His introduction of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio to the U.S. market in 1979 revolutionized its status, making it one of the most successful imported wines over the following quarter-century. Between 1995 and 2008, it was consistently ranked as the top imported wine in the annual restaurant survey by Wine & Spirits magazine. This achievement firmly established Pinot Grigio as a popular white wine choice in American dining establishments.
During the late 1980s, Terlato diversified his offerings by incorporating more European wines. The family’s initial winery acquisition came in 1996 with Rutherford Hill Winery located in Napa Valley. Subsequent expansions included acquiring Chimney Rock Winery in 2000 and Sanford Winery situated in Santa Barbara County’s Sta Rita Hills appellation in 2002.
In recognition of his pioneering work introducing Italian wines to the United States, Terlato was awarded the Cavaliere Ufficiale, Motu Proprio honor by the Italian government in 1984—the first individual from the American wine sector to receive this accolade.
Personal life
Throughout his professional tenure, Terlato cultivated connections with notable personalities across the wine and culinary worlds. These included esteemed winemakers such as Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, Christian Moueix, Jean Michel Cazes, Angelo Gaja, Michel Chapoutier, Michael Twelftree, and Robert Mondavi, alongside celebrated chefs and restaurateurs like Julia Child, Jean Joho, Charlie Trotter, and Lidia Bastianich.
Terlato died on June 29, 2020, at the age of 86.
Honors and awards
- Cavaliere Ufficiale, Motu Proprio, Government of Italy, 1984
- Wine Enthusiast Man of the Year Award, 2002
- Wine Spectator Distinguished Service Award, 2004
- Horatio Alger Award, 2006
- American Chamber of Commerce in Italy Wine Excellence Award, 2010
- Wine Enthusiast Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015
Books
His autobiography, TASTE: A Life in Wine, was released in 2008 by Agate Publishing.
See also
External links
- Terlato Vineyards
- Terlato Wines
- Crain’s Chicago Business: A family united by work, dining, and wine SHIA KAPOS, June 19, 2015