Vino, La Collina dei Ciliegi: purchases of Amarone En Primeur accelerate

Around 70 private bankers, fund managers, financial executives, legal and accounting professionals, journalists and wine enthusiasts attended the second La Collina dei Ciliegi En Primeur celebration on 26 September 2020. Attendance by existing and potential participants was three times that of the inaugural edition.

The programme treated a 225-litre barrique of wine destined to become Amarone as both a passion purchase and an alternative investment. Massimo Gianolli had begun allocating cru areas to this model in 2019. Participants were generally private enthusiasts rather than members of the wine trade.

Gianolli argued that advance barrel sales could give the winery earlier cash flow, reduce financing costs and lessen credit risk. Members could follow their wine's development through successive barrel tastings at Ca' del Moro and take part in its eventual bottling.

Thirteen new participants joined the club in connection with the second celebration. Gianolli's announced three-year objective was to reserve 75% of Amarone cru Ciliegio for En Primeur sales while expanding the club nationally and internationally.