Oenologists, the Pilots of Wine: Between Masters and New Generations
Written by Davide Gangi | Published in fatti, wine 
There is a figure often hidden behind the scenes but as essential as the vintner and the terroir: the oenologist. Technician, artist, visionary. Today more than ever, the oenologist is the true director of wine, capable of transforming an idea into an emotion, a vintage into a story.
Italy boasts one of the most prestigious oenology schools in the world, and the value of its professionals has played a decisive role in establishing our wines on the international stage. While the masters solidify their legacies, a new generation of talent emerges, ready to innovate, experiment, and carry the torch forward.
Over the last thirty years, the Italian oenological landscape has undergone a true revolution. Figures such as Giacomo Tachis, Riccardo Cotarella, Beppe Caviola, Lorenzo Landi, Mariano Murru, Paolo Vagaggini, Pierpaolo Chiasso, Carlo Ferrini, Renzo Cotarella, Gianni Gasperi, Leonardo Palumbo, and many others are not just top-tier professionals — they are true innovators who have read the signs of change, building bridges between tradition and progress.
They have redefined the very concept of quality, guided wineries toward enhancing their territories, interpreted climate change, and anticipated consumer tastes. They have given scientific dignity and cultural vision to the profession of the oenologist.
Today, a generation that is prepared, motivated, and open to the world is ready to inherit this legacy. The new oenologists are not just cellar technicians: they are communicators, keen observers of market dynamics, and explorers of new production models.
Many of them come from international experiences, master’s programs, and high-level academic paths. Others, raised in family wineries, bring a more empathetic, artisanal, and rooted approach. But they all share the same challenge: staying true to the land while innovating the language of wine.
Vinoway, through its observatory on Italian oenological talent, has awarded some of the most promising figures on the national scene over the years. Among them:
- Marco Mascellani – A technically and scientifically driven oenologist working across several Italian regions, known for his ability to enhance varietal and territorial characteristics through precise and modern vinification techniques.
- Nicola Biasi – Already widely recognized nationally, he is one of the pioneers of Italy’s PIWI (fungus-resistant grape) wine project. His work represents a futuristic vision of sustainable winemaking.
- Andrea Pala – A young Sardinian oenologist, one of the few to extend his expertise beyond the island, consulting in numerous Italian regions. Deeply connected to his homeland, he has reinterpreted native grape varieties in a contemporary light, contributing to Sardinia’s qualitative revival with an open, dynamic, and national vision of winemaking.
- Giulia Härri – One of the emerging female figures in Italian oenology. She stands out for her sensitivity, technical rigor, and a vision that combines stylistic elegance with sustainability.
- Jacopo Vagaggini – Heir to an illustrious family tradition, he blends technical expertise with an extraordinary ability to understand winery needs, crafting wines of great balance and identity.
- Alessandro Leoni – A curious and innovative spirit, active in diverse business contexts, he manages to imprint a coherent and recognizable style, focusing on precision and aromatic clarity.
All of them are witnesses to an Italy of wine that knows how to renew itself without losing its soul — looking to the future with awareness and courage, but with deep roots in the land.
For years, Vinoway has stood out for its constant focus on the new generations of Italian wine, offering visibility, opportunities for dialogue, and recognition to young talented professionals.
The Vinoway Award dedicated to young oenologists has become one of the most coveted recognitions in the sector — not only for its prestige but for what it represents: a concrete investment in the future of Italian oenology.
Being selected by Vinoway means entering an authoritative, innovative network that embraces change — a place where expertise and passion find room to grow and shine. It’s a commitment we will continue to uphold because we believe Italian wine needs — now more than ever — new voices, new visions, new protagonists.
The dialogue between generations is key to a strong future. The masters must become mentors, and the young must learn to listen and innovate with respect. Italian oenology needs this exchange of memory and vision, of roots and wings.
The new generations must recognize the invaluable worth of veterans’ experience, drawing inspiration from their careers and showing gratitude to those who paved the way. Only through this mutual respect can we build a solid future, where excellence is not only passed down but continually nurtured.
Italian wine needs its oenologists — the masters who have shown the way and the young who will lead it to new horizons. Because every wine, before being a product, is a choice. And every choice, an act of vision.
Vinoway is ready to tell all these stories — to give space, voice, and light to those who create, interpret, and transform wine. Because only by knowing the oenologists can we truly understand the wine.
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