Venetian Heritage Meets Modern Allure: A Conversation with Cala Bennati Wines’ Gregory Bennati

My great-grandfather was originally a shipbuilder from Venice who then went on to own hotels. Eventually, he bought the vineyard—founded in 1499—which makes it one of the oldest in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. For generations, different relatives took turns running it, keeping everything very traditional. Even though our grapes were sometimes shipped privately under other labels, my dream was to create our own brand from that same vineyard and share it with a broader audience. That’s how Cala Bennati Wines started—a way to honor my heritage and present our Pinot Grigio in the family’s timeless style.

My family always instilled in me the importance of consistency and tradition. They essentially told me, “No matter what, you do not change the way it’s made.” And I’ve followed that. Our harvest is still done by hand so we’re only selecting the best grapes, and the wine is aged first in wooden casks, then steel tanks before bottling—just like we’ve done for ages.

What I have modernized are some behind-the-scenes elements: making the vineyard more sustainable and adapting more eco-friendly practices. But the overall profile—the taste we’ve loved for centuries—remains the same.

I’ve always been passionate about sustainability. Growing up, I experimented with solar cookers, and later I pursued LEED-certified homes and other environmentally focused businesses. So, when I took over at Tenuta Villanova, I wanted to reduce our footprint without compromising taste and quality.

We’re installing solar panels so we can become fully self-sufficient, ideally within the next couple of years. We’ve also switched to a high-drainage soil that requires much less water. These changes lessen the strain on the local environment and help preserve our traditional, centuries-old winemaking processes.

Often, top-tier wines are out of reach for many consumers. Pinot Grigio in general is something people want to enjoy regularly. My family’s grapes have historically produced a truly premium wine—so premium, in fact, that some labels priced it close to $50 a bottle. I wanted to ensure more people could discover this quality without breaking the bank.

So, we keep quality at the forefront—handpicked grapes, proven techniques—but we offer it at an inviting price point so you can enjoy a taste of our Venetian heritage on any occasion, whether for a big celebration or a relaxed meal at home.

Wine in Italy has always been part of everyday life, not just for major holidays. With spring in full bloom, families often gather for brunches, outdoor dinners, or even a casual meal at home to celebrate new beginnings. I see a crisp Pinot Grigio fitting beautifully into that, especially ours—it’s light and refreshing, perfect for milder weather.

Whether you’re hosting a lively family reunion or just enjoying a spring weekend with loved ones, a bottle of Pinot Grigio can instantly elevate the table. It’s about turning simple moments into something memorable and bright.

It definitely wasn’t easy—there are established names everywhere. But I already had a network in Miami, and that helped open some doors. Once our wine was in top restaurants, the quality spoke for itself. Restaurants that started carrying it by the bottle soon realized people were ordering it more than expected, so they began offering it by the glass.

In hospitality, numbers don’t lie—if the product isn’t good, it won’t sell. We’ve not only stayed on menus but expanded in many cases, which shows patrons truly enjoy it. That’s the most rewarding part: seeing people consistently return to a brand they trust.

Miami has so many amazing spots. Our Pinot Grigio is in places like Cipriani, Casa Tua, and Catch, covering everything from Italian to sushi. We’ve also made it into Kiki on the River and Casa Madera, where you can sip by the water—a vibe that really ties back to our Venetian heritage.

New York is up next, and we’re launching there this season. We’ll focus on select high-end restaurants first, then plan to expand into off-premise accounts and local wine shops so more people can bring Cala Bennati Wines into their everyday lives—especially as the weather warms.

We want to keep up our quality standards and eco-friendly initiatives as we grow. That means training our teams, working with distributors who share our ethos, and making sure every single bottle reflects our legacy.

Eventually, we may explore other varietals, but only if we can do it while preserving what makes our Pinot Grigio special—its rich history and unwavering commitment to sustainable, family-centric winemaking.