Alessio Planeta becomes the fourth Italian to win this accolade and thus joins the illustrious band of brilliant Italian winemakers.

The last Italian to win this recognition was Carlo Ferrini in 2007, who I met  in Italy many times at various wineries and also once in India. He is currently a consultant winemaker to a number of leading Italian wine producers. Before him only Riccardo Cotarella, president of Assoenologi, the winemakers association of Italyand co-founder, with his celebrity brother Renzo, of the Umbrian company Cotarella, and Renzo Cotarella, CEO of Marchesi Antinori, received this award.

The Wine Star Awards has been an annual feature of the second-highest selling U.S. wine journal Wine Enthusiast, which pays tribute to the most influential members of the wine, spirits, and beverage industry through these annual Awards.

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Born in 1966, Alessio Planeta studied Agrarian Sciences, then took over the helm of the family winery in the 1990s. His personal and professional interests focused as well on the history of Sicily and its viticulture, with the goal of continuing the invaluable work begun by his uncle Diego Planeta and of gaining international appreciation for Sicilian wines. He became the managing director and technical manager of Planeta Vineyards in 1991. In 1995 he brought the first label to the market- Planeta Chardonnay that won many awards and opened the doors for the newly established family brand and international grape varieties of Sicily, thus initiating the process of diversification that has become a hallmark of the group.

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From 2000 to 2009 Alessio Planeta assumed the role of President of the Terre Sicane (One of the wine regions of Sicily) Wine Route and Vice-President of the Regional Association of Wine Routes. In June 2011 he was appointed board member of Assovini Sicilia. From 2017 to 2020, he served as president of Assovini Sicilia and is currently a board member of the Consorzio Doc Sicilia. Alessio manages a production of more than 2.4 million bottles a year. He also oversees various cultural activities and high-profile hospitality projects related to wine tourism.

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 “I am deeply honored by the award that the Wine Enthusiast has bestowed on me this year,” says Alessio Planeta, “a recognition that I am happy to share with my family and with our entire staff. It is thanks to them that we have built up our family winery, day after day, through our shared commitment, dedication, and passion. Next year, we will be celebrating our 30th anniversary, and receiving such a prestigious tribute at this time fills me with emotion and makes me proud of the solid reputation that the wines of Sicily have won across the globe.”

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PLANETA

PLANETA is a wine producer boasting a history of 17 generations and  is recognized as one of Sicily’s most prestigious wineries, with 394 hAs of vineyards and 7 production facilities distributed across 5 growing areas (Menfi, Sambuca di Sicilia, Vittoria, Noto, Etna, and Capo Milazzo); PLANETA’s goal is to preserve and promote each individual growing area through intensive research and experimentation, ranging from the adaptability of international grape varieties to utilization of native varieties and also the relic varieties, grapes that have all but disappeared from Sicily’s rich catalogue of grape varieties.

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PLANETA was also a pioneer both in Sicily and in Italy in creating a specialized wine tourism, offering tours and wine tastings, as well as nature and cultural experiences centered on each cellar’s growing area as a unique expression of local traditions, history, and wine culture.  A special mention must be made of an enoturismo called La Foresteria in Menfi where I spent a night several years ago during my first visit to Sicily. Surrounded by an enchanting Mediterranean garden and an award-winning restaurantmake it an enchanting wine destination.

Subhash Arora