Antica Cantina Leonardi touts Lazio wines in U.S. events

Antica Cantina Leonardi held eight wine dinners, lunches and tastings in Seattle and New York City in 2026 as part of the EU-co-financed OCM Wine Promotion Project 2025/2026. The campaign aimed to build awareness of Lazio wines, especially EST! EST!! EST!!! di Montefiascone DOC, and deepen ties with importers, distributors and consumers.

Why it matters: - Antica Cantina Leonardi used the U.S. campaign to expand awareness of Lazio wines in two major markets, Seattle and New York City. - The events were designed to build commercial relationships with wine professionals, importers, distributors and private customers. - The promotion focused attention on EST! EST!! EST!!! di Montefiascone DOC, a flagship wine for the winery and the Lazio region.

What happened: - Antica Cantina Leonardi took part in the OCM Wine Promotion Project 2025/2026, co-financed by the European Union. - The winery organized eight promotional events in 2026 across Seattle and New York City. - The program included wine dinners, lunches and tasting events held during July, August and October 2026.

The details: - The events introduced the winery’s production to American trade and consumer audiences. - The tastings highlighted the quality, authenticity and heritage of Antica Cantina Leonardi’s wines. - Special emphasis went to EST! EST!! EST!!! di Montefiascone DOC and a selection of Lazio IGP wines. - The winery is based in Montefiascone, near Lake Bolsena in northern Lazio. - The company says the area’s natural setting, historical heritage and wine-growing conditions shape the character of its wines. - Antica Cantina Leonardi describes its business as rooted in long-standing local winemaking tradition while also pursuing international growth. - The winery links its identity to the broader mix of wine, culture, gastronomy and tourism around Lake Bolsena. - EST! EST!! EST!!! di Montefiascone DOC carries a medieval legend tied to the 12th century and a German bishop, Johannes Defuk. - In the story, his servant Martino marked the best wine stops with the Latin word “EST,” and repeated it three times in Montefiascone to signal exceptional wine. - The wine has become one of the best-known symbols of the Lazio wine region.

Between the lines: - The campaign shows how smaller regional producers are using targeted tasting events to win attention in competitive overseas markets. - By centering the story on place, history and heritage, Antica Cantina Leonardi is selling more than wine; it is selling regional identity. - The approach also suggests the winery sees direct trade-and-consumer engagement as a practical path to international expansion.

What's next: - Antica Cantina Leonardi is expected to keep using EU-backed promotion to support its internationalization strategy. - The winery appears likely to continue building U.S. relationships through local partners and trade-facing events. - Further promotion of EST! EST!! EST!!! di Montefiascone DOC and other Lazio wines would fit the campaign’s current direction.

The bottom line: - Antica Cantina Leonardi used eight U.S. events to push Lazio wines into two major American markets and reinforce the export story behind its best-known label.