Welcome to Episode 1757 Stevie Kim moderates Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner – In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Massimiliano Apollonio. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and replayed here on the Italian Wine Podcast! Listen in on this series as Italian Wine Ambassadors all over the world chat with Stevie and their chosen wine producer. Which producer would you interview if you had your pick? Co-Moderator With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara specializes in D2C marketing and business development. She's led roles from entry level to senior management, combining her extensive experience with data analysis, critical thinking and storytelling while driving revenue growth and brand recognition for California wineries. As a part of the 4th generation of an Italian-American family among the California wine industry pioneers, Barbara has spent her life around wine growing, production, marketing, distribution and hospitality. A Syracuse University graduate, she returned to California to gain diverse industry perspectives from a range of wineries. As an Italian Wine Ambassador, she brings her expertise to the Italian wine market, known for its authenticity and consumer demand. Barbara now runs Apri La Creative Consulting, coaching wineries in Italy and the US to strategically develop their D2C channels in line with their brand values. Together with her husband, Barbara also owns and operates a boutique wine production company, and a small import company specializing in Italian wines to the US. Connect: Instagram @aprilabottiglia LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fitzgerald-iwa/ Website www.aprilacreative.com Guest Bio After studying oenology, Massimiliano Apollonio – the oenologist of the winery – gained his professional experience by working for important Italian, French and Spanish winegrowers. He controls the quality of the Apollonio wines and oversees all aspects of wine production. Grape growing, harvesting, winemaking and bottling are all guaranteed by Massimiliano Apollonio’s expertise. With his technical knowledge, field experience and love for research, he uses his creativity to produce high-quality original wines. A former local representative of the Italian ONAV (Organizzazione nazionale assaggiatori vini – ‘National Organization of Wine Tasters’), he is a now regional president of the Assoenologi association for the regions of Apulia, Basilicata and Calabria. Connect: Website www.apolloniovini.it/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow us on our social media channels: Instagram www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/ Facebook www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast Twitter www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin! Follow Italian Wine Podcast for more great content - winery interviews from the Clubhouse sessions! Psssst…FYI, this show is our most popular show, find out why by tuning-in!