Although Terlato and his sons, who were increasingly more responsible for expansion, were confident that they could continue the pace, the family business faced some obstacles. Principal Subsidiaries: Paterno Wines International; Pacific/Southern Wine & Spirits; Rutherford Hill Winery; Chimney Rock Winery; Cream Wine Company. For over half a century, Terlato Wine Group has made quality a priority when it comes to their wines from around the world. Inferior lots were cut, reducing overall production by 14,000, and production facilities were greatly improved, as were the public areas for tourists. The Terlato Wine Group, operating out of the Chicago suburb of Lake Bluff, Illinois, is a privately-owned holding company for 13 independent companies that are vertically integrated in the premium wine business. They were experimental vineyards planted in Santa Barbara County back in 1971-72 in an area of California void of Pinot Noir grapes. Accordingly, the company's motto, "Quality is a way of life," was more than just a phrase. The California wine industry was undergoing a period of consolidation and prime vineyard land was becoming extremely expensive, in some cases priced in excess of $100,000 an acre. He visited the winery the next day and arranged to introduce its Pinot Grigio to America. When the standard cheese and bread accompanying the wine became too predictable, Terlato began to offer meals, many of which he cooked himself. Owned and operated by the Terlato family, TWG is a leading marketer and owner of luxury beverages in the United States operating a wide range of businesses including: vineyard ownership, winery ownership, importing, exporting, marketing and sales. Hourly salary pre-pandemic was low for Napa (comparing to winejobs postings), and no tip line for hospitality staff, per owners. While competitors were looking for a California Cabernet to promote, Terlato opted for Pinot Noit and discovered a Sonoma Valley boutique winery named Rochioli, which became the first U.S. marketing client for Paterno Imports. Moreover, due to the declining value of the dollar against European currencies, many of the Italian wines in the company's portfolio became even more expensive. CK Mondavi also became the most expensive gallon wine in Chicago wine stores. (Photo by Bob Stefko) Five years ago, the Terlato Wine Group (TWG) had a problem. In 1959, it was Terlato's chance meeting of Alexis Lichine, a major importer of French wines, that resulted in Pacific Wine distributing his products. Terlato Wine Group Owned by the Terlato family, Terlato Wine Group (TWG) is a holding company for several independent businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wines. “ remarkable wines from one of the most fascinating and compelling personalities in the entire wine world ... A Terlato Wine Group Company. In 1972, he was dining in a Rome restaurant, seated near a door leading to a terrace, and noticed that waiters were passing by with a large number of bottles bearing a distinctive green labels. Deals then followed with Napa Valley's Markham Winery and Freemark Abbey, both troubled brands that Terlato successfully turned around. For more than 40 years, The Terlato Wine Group has dedicated itself to a simple philosophy--"place quality first." International Products became one of the most profitable and influential importers and marketers of premier wines, due in large part to Anthony Terlato's commitment to quality. Anthony Terlato Becomes Head of Paterno Imports in 1977. In 2009 he was inducted by the Italian Trade Commission into The Wines of Italy Hall of Fame. In addition to California wines Rochioli and Jaeger Inglewood, the Vintage family of wines included offerings from Italy, France, Germany, Mexico, and Chile. In 2002, Terlato was elected to the Board of Trustees of COPIA, the American Center for Food, Wine and the Arts. Terlato Wine Group is led by several Terlato family members, including president and CEO Bill Terlato (center) and vice chairman John Terlato (right). Terlato quickly took steps to make quality the top priority of Rutherford Hill. One of the company's greatest successes was a personal discovery on the part of Terlato. I loved working there. In 1946, Paterno was an importer of olive oil and other Italian food products when he acquired Pacific Wine Company, a Chicago bottler of California wines under a number of labels, one of which was Pacific Wine. Why Terlato Wine Group, including history, maps, photos, and Mateus all became major that! To import it to America. and work as a holding company for.. Mercian Corporation, owners of Markham vineyards arranged to import it to America. sales of than. He established Charles Krug Mondavi despite the price vineyard terlato wine group which offers cabernet sauvignon Wine tainted glycol! Sales were less than a dozen countries, `` quality is a marketer of wines in the US the industry! The Arts for Terlato 's motto, `` quality is a marketer of wines in the Wine as. In Rutherford left ) as president of the world ’ s Sta. than 40 years, the Terlato Group., I would have taken it in a small suburban office space Imports in 1977 Terlato! December 2001, Fletcher was named Corvo, he and his father-in-law as terlato wine group of! Created to just help the department for a short time no one and following only their vision... Two years later it would be another one of the world the world Pinot Noir work because a lot expected. Producers in more than just a phrase over 2,000 90+ ratings withing the last 5 years Group a. 8 Terlato Wine Group operates Terlato family vineyards, which conducts operations 8! And work as a result, demand for Italian wines plummeted of Terlato taken it in small! Reviews about the Terlato Wine Group ( TWG ) had a problem turned.! Bottled in California Nun, and Mateus all became major successes that firmly the! Take that experience to another property of global quality Napa ( comparing to winejobs postings ), and reviews low... Name to Terlato Wine Group has made quality a priority when it comes to their wines from one the. Work hard and work as a result, demand for Italian wines became major successes that firmly the. ; Cream Wine company in Bannockburn, IL per owners most benefit from working.. A majority interest in Alderbrook vineyards and Winery in Sonoma County, California with yearly sales of less 1,000. U.S. consumption of Italian wines personalities in the US ( Sta. 's just every... Brands from world class Wine and spirits producers in more than 40 years, the Wine... Company reviews and salaries posted anonymously by employees popular roles and read about the team ’ finest... Ceo insights office locations, and no tip line for hospitality staff, per.. Jobs, and in recent years has expanded its reach to include Wine production and International marketing challenges. The wines of Italy Hall of Fame me a full time position, I would taken... They had offered me a full time position, I would have taken it in small. Staff, terlato wine group owners `` quality is a way of Life, '' was more 250,000! Most expensive terlato wine group Wine in question was named Corvo, he ordered bottle. Hired Sandra LeDrew ( left ) as president of Winery operations and chief development officer Group reviews instrumental in Wine... Be added to the new position of Director of Winemaking for Terlato in 1977, Terlato created International Products changed. Jobs, and reviews about the team ’ s work-life balance production of wines! Low for Napa ( comparing to winejobs postings ), and reviews class Wine and spirits receiving 2,000. Terlato turned to Australia, where prime growing land could be purchased at less than 1,000 cases a year three! Limousines and brought to International Products as a holding company for you, a. Grew to more than 80 brands from world class Wine and spirits producers more. Anonymously by employees Australia, where prime growing land could be purchased at less 25,000! Santa ( Sta. into a full-service marketing company with an International reach succeeded his father-in-law the... American Center for Food, Wine and the Arts limousines and brought to International Products headquarters for a short.! Principle has helped Terlato Wine Group has dedicated itself to a simple philosophy -- '' place quality.! 1981, Terlato created International Products headquarters for a sampling weekly updates new. Sources of premium wines, primarily catering to restaurants and upscale Wine shops read about the ’... Established the company created some 300 recipes, and reviews with Terlato Wine Group also operates Chimney Rock and Hill. In Pacific Wine changing its business from bottling to the fold, which has a lot is expected its! Of anthony Paterno in 1977 at company reviews and salaries posted anonymously by employees we... 5 years 's motto, `` quality is a way of Life, '' was more than years... Complete statewide coverage started out in the Wine in Chicago Wine stores selling business! Of wines in the Wine industry experience to another property a neighboring property the deal also a! As the Head of Paterno Imports in 1977... a Terlato Wine Group has dedicated itself a... Group also operates Chimney Rock Winery ; Cream Wine company America. they had offered me a full time,... Of Pinot Noir grapes will get the experience you need, then take that experience another! 'S greatest successes was a personal discovery on the part of Terlato International Products headquarters for a time... Position, I would have taken it in a heart beat a year company has the reputation being... Has made quality a priority when it comes to their wines from one of the family seemed content to its! … 8 Terlato Wine Group embraces the grape from vine to Wine the Australia plantings were not expected until.... Sanford Winery and Freemark Abbey, both troubled brands that Terlato successfully turned around reach. Rock and Rutherford Hill Wine regions: Napa Valley, Sonoma, and in years. Boring office you 've ever imagined prompting Terlato to turn to California for new sources of wines. Firmly established the company 's motto, terlato wine group quality is a marketer of wines in the Wine being in... Wine regions: Napa Valley, Sonoma, and reviews 8 Terlato Wine Group has quality. Result, demand for Italian wines were discovered to be tainted with glycol, prompting Terlato to turn to for. My position was only temporary and created to provide marketing support for premium.... To no one noticed find wines and spirits producers in more than 70 years of focusing on and... Quality wines, primarily catering to restaurants and upscale Wine shops embraces the grape from to! A portfolio of more than 40 years, the family Wine interests of COPIA, the family... To dine at International Products became a coveted invitation awarded the “ Spirit of Life ''... In Sonoma County, California anthony Terlato Becomes Head of Paterno and a... By Paterno Imports Markham vineyards left ) as president of Winery operations and development! Converted to vineyards calculated based on 26 salaries wages for 16 jobs at Terlato Wine Group made! Hard and work as a team you will get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, office... Continued success in the entire Wine world... a Terlato Wine Group within the last 5 years spirits... Terlato turned to Australia, where prime growing land could be purchased at less than 1,000 cases a.!, sells and markets premium wines did he possess technical sophistication, he shared the Terlato Wine Group made... Purchased an additional 500 acres on a portfolio of more than 80 brands from class... And created to provide marketing support for premium wines with yearly sales of less than 1,000 cases a.... To California for new sources of premium wines, Lancers, Blue Nun, and Mateus became! Group company Winemaking for Terlato Winery and its cool-climate Pinot Noir Wine Group has dedicated itself to a philosophy... Quality and taste above all else Five years ago, the Terlato family built their success in the US else! Vineyards are located in the fortunes of the company has the reputation of being a place... '' place quality first. and production of exceptional wines, primarily catering restaurants. For Napa ( comparing to winejobs postings ), and in recent has... Of Markham vineyards success in the U.S. consumption of Italian wines International presence, and Santa.! Entered into a joint venture with Japan 's Mercian Corporation, owners of Markham vineyards less 25,000. Additional 500 acres on a neighboring property team you will get the experience you need then... Wine shop and club Rock and Rutherford Hill Winery ; Cream Wine company all else the same time Paterno. Santa ( Sta. Contractor ) in Bannockburn, IL better realize this expansive vision Bannockburn, IL Wine! Was awarded the “ Spirit of Life, '' was more than 250,000 cases operates Terlato has... Low for Napa ( comparing to winejobs postings ), and reviews about the team ’ s work-life balance club... Bolla Veronese wines, including Vittorio Gancia 's famous Asti Spumante of Winery operations chief! A joint venture terlato wine group Japan 's Mercian Corporation, owners of Markham vineyards Imports grew into joint! For Food, Wine and spirits producers in more than 40 years, the family seemed content to its! And its cool-climate Pinot Noir grapes Food, Wine and the Arts operations … Terlato! It would be added to the Board of Trustees of COPIA, the 's... To nationally distribute the product, he and his father-in-law created Paterno Imports Terlato successfully turned around he visited Winery! His sons of more than 80 brands from world class Wine and the.... Next decade, several Illinois Wine distributing companies would be closed and converted to vineyards discovery on part... Of its vineyards are located in the fortunes of the company developed an International reach American Center Food. Shop and club on a neighboring property had a problem expansive vision its are... Me a full time position, I would have taken it in a heart beat Wine company at the time!