Zonin Prosecco Growth Outpaces Category in U.S.

43% Growth in Zonin Shipments Versus 15.4% for the Category

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zonin Prosecco has grown at more than double the industry average for cases shipped in the past year. Zonin saw 43% growth in exports to the United States from 2008-2009, for 9 liter cases. Impact Databank reports that the category as a whole has experienced 15.4% growth in shipments. This was the goal Zonin had set with the strategic launch of its new Zonin Prosecco earlier this year.

Casa Vinicola Zonin is an international leader in the Prosecco category with total production reaching 8 million bottles (666,667 9 liter cases) annually. Zonin USA has set its sights on becoming the leading player in the Prosecco category in the US and they are making strides towards this goal, according to Zonin USA President, Francesco Zonin: through the end of August 2009 Zonin shipped over 71,000 9 liter cases, an increase of 43% over the same period in 2008 when they shipped 50,000 cases.

Zonin’s sales success has played a major role in the increase, with national on-premise accounts such as California Pizza Kitchen, Olive Garden, Capitol Grille and Cipriani, as well as Hilton and Marriott hotels. Currently, Zonin Prosecco can found in over 2,500 hotel rooms in Southern California. Major off-premise accounts include Kroger’s and Gelsen’s. In March Zonin Prosecco became the leader in the category in Florida, according to Nielsen.

In their November issue, industry resource Market Watch Magazine recognized Zonin Prosecco as a key player, capitalizing not only on consumption trends, but also exploring new ways to deliver their message. An integrated social media campaign includes a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ZoninProsecco), Twitter account (@ZoninProsecco) and dedicated website (www.zoninprosecco.com), where friends, fans and followers can learn more about the wine and new ideas on how to enjoy Zonin Prosecco everyday.

About Zonin

Casa Vinicola Zonin is the largest privately held wine company in Italy. They have been producing Prosecco since 1975 and have perfected proprietary techniques that allow them to deliver the freshest product to the market. Zonin also owns the vineyards from which the fruit is sourced and their own import company, which gives them total control over the product. Zonin Prosecco is imported by Zonin USA based in Charlottesville, Virginia.