TdB № 52 | Marilisa Allegrini

Tête de Bulle | № 52 | In Conversation with Marilisa Allegrini

President, Marilisa Allegrini Group

by Lyn M. Archer

“Throughout my career, I have sought to bring Italian wine into the modern era, demonstrating that we can honor centuries of tradition while embracing new ideas and opportunities.” -Marilisa Allegrini

This interview stems from a visit with the incomparable Marilisa Allegrini, president of Marilisa Allegrini Group, at her San Polo estate in Montalcino. It has been edited for clarity and length.

LMA: The Allegrini family roots span back to the 16th century in Valpolicella. Do you feel more pressure or pride in upholding such a rich family history?

Marilisa Allegrini: My family’s roots in Valpolicella run deeper than memory, yet what truly defines us is not just our history, but our legacy as stewards of this land. It is true that I did not take a direct path to the family business. Early on, I chose a career in healthcare, seeking my own way.

But the bonds formed in our youth — and the pull of generations of history — are impossible to ignore.

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the unwavering passion it takes to nurture a vineyard, the meticulous care required to usher the fruit through the ritual of appassimento, and the ultimate pride of seeing that dedication preserved in a bottle for decades.

In a winemaking family, you quickly learn that wine is living history. It holds all the joy and triumphs of a vintage, but also the sacrifices and challenges of working with nature. Because of this, everything we produced also came with a profound sense of responsibility.

With time, I would discover my own purpose within our family’s narrative, returning to the estate shortly before my father’s passing.

I quickly understood that I could honor the generations before me while evolving our family tradition and identity, as the first woman to lead our family company. Preserving this tradition became my guiding light. READ MORE HERE.

 

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