WinesU, the U.S. importer acquired by Argea Group in February 2025, has been named “Importer of the Year” at the Wine Star Awards 2025 by Wine Enthusiast, one of the most authoritative voices in the global wine industry. This prestigious award celebrates wineries, professionals, and companies that stand out for quality, vision, and impact on the global market.
Founded over 45 years ago by Gino Razzi, WinesU—originally known as Viva Vino Imports—has played a key role in promoting Italian and French wines in the U.S. One emblematic story is that of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo: Razzi was among the first to recognize its potential in the American market and, thanks to his collaboration with Cantina Zaccagnini, contributed decisively to its popularity in the U.S. This relationship, born in the 1970s, is now an integral part of Argea Group’s growth path, which acquired Cantina Zaccagnini in 2022.
WinesU: Leadership and Managerial Continuity
WinesU’s growth has been strengthened by the decades-long collaboration between Razzi and Mark Lauber, now CEO & President of WinesU. The combination of import expertise, distribution experience, and a lean yet strategic portfolio has enabled the company to build strong relationships with U.S. distributors, maintaining a growth trajectory even in a challenging market environment.
Massimo Romani, CEO of Argea, commented:
“This achievement is a great source of pride for the entire Argea Group, and especially for Cantina Zaccagnini, particularly in such a complex moment for the U.S. market. I want to extend a special thanks to Mark Lauber, CEO of WinesU, and founder Gino Razzi for their dedication, vision, and extraordinary contribution in building and growing this company. For Argea, this confirms that even in the most challenging contexts, quality, consistency, and the ability to innovate remain the foundations of our way of doing business.”
Echoing these words, Mark Lauber added:
“Being recognized by such a prestigious organization as Wine Enthusiast as Importer of the Year is a tribute to the entire WinesU team, the extraordinary wineries we represent, and our network of distributors. We look to the future together with our partners at Argea with a constant commitment to excellence.”
Argea Group: A Winning Strategy for the U.S. Market
The integration of WinesU into Argea Group—the leading private Italian wine player, active in over 85 markets and with an export share exceeding 30% in 2024—represents a strategic step to strengthen its presence in the United States, the top market in terms of value and volume.
The acquisition allows direct oversight of the American supply chain and enhances a portfolio that now includes 11 labels from 7 wineries, including the historic Abruzzo brand Zaccagnini, while ensuring continuity in WinesU’s management structure and operational approach.
