Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Lombardi.
Tony grew up in Sonoma County and graduated from Saint Mary’s College with a degree in Business Management. His first job in wine came in 1998 when he joined the hospitality team at Clos Du Bois Winery, located in Geyserville, CA. During this time, he formed great friendships with colleagues that shared his passion for all things, food and wine. He shared this enthusiasm with consumers, trade partners, and media that would come to learn about Alexander Valley wines.
In 2001, Tony joined the public relations team at Allied Domecq Wines. This is where his career in public relations began, overseeing 12 international and domestic wineries with responsibilities in brand positioning, message development, media relations, event management, and strategic planning.
A series of mergers and acquisitions followed, where Allied Domecq was purchased by Fortune Brands and Tony assumed the role of Public Relations Manager with the new company, Beam Wine Estates, managing PR efforts for seven prestige brands within the portfolio. After the purchase of Beam Wine Estates by Constellation Wines U.S. in 2007, Tony spent a short time working with Russian River Valley Sparkling and Pinot Noir specialist, J Vineyards & Winery in the role of Marketing and Public Relations Manager. In June 2008, he helped launch the Healdsburg start-up company, Ascentia Wine Estates as Director of Public Relations spearheading efforts for its five California and three Pacific Northwest brands.
Tony joined the exceptional team at Kosta Browne Winery as its Brand and Public Relations Director in 2010. For the next five years, he was tasked with helping build brand awareness for the ultra-premium Pinot Noir specialist, its exceptional wine quality and the Kosta Browne experience for its consumer, media and trade audiences and assisted in its sale at the end of 2014.
Tony founded Lombardi Wines in 2013, in a pursuit to honor his family’s rich history of wine, food, and tradition. Together, with winemaker Cabell Coursey, they make small lots of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from some of the finest vineyards in the Sonoma Coast. The Pinot Noir is crafted with care from a family of growers in Petaluma, where the Lombardi family has been since 1947.
In 2015, Tony started a boutique consulting company offering Marketing, Public Relations, and Wholesale services to the benefit of small to mid-size wine companies in need of this expertise. With over 30 years of experience in management, production, sales, marketing, and public relations, Lombardi Marketing is a trusted source to the benefit of wineries operating in the luxury wine category. Current and Past Clients include: A.P. VIN, Arista Winery, Blue Farm Wines, Bucher Wines, CIRQ Estate, Cornerstone Cellars, Coursey Graves, Donum Estate, Flanagan Vineyards, Geodesy Wine, Keller Estate, Kreck Wines, Maxville Winery, Pellegrini Wine Company, Jigar & Sedition Wines, Ram’s Gate Winery, Roger Roessler Wines, Sangiacomo Family Wines, Three Sticks Wines and Work Vineyard.
When he’s not busy promoting the wonderful stories of exceptional Sonoma County and Napa Valley wine, Tony enjoys spending time with his wife, Christine, and sons, Drew and Aidan.
Has it been a smooth road?
Taking a leap of faith with risk always comes with challenges. Even though I was born in a family of small business owners, I never really thought of it for myself, working for retail and global wine companies. It wasn’t until working for a couple of friends, entrepreneurs in their own right; Dan Kosta and Michael Browne, who started their namesake winery that I was inspired and encouraged by them to do it myself. Self-starting with my own capital, I began Lombardi Wines with a barrel of Chardonnay and a barrel of Pinot Noir. Saving the world…one bottle at a time.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Lombardi Wines – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I founded Lombardi Wines in 2013, in a pursuit to honor my Italian roots and immigration story. A rich history of wine, food, and tradition. Sunday night dinners with extended family where the lively and spirited conversation around the dinner table was religion, politics, but always family first.
Together, with winemaker Cabell Coursey, we make small lots of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from some of the finest vineyards in the Sonoma Coast. The Pinot Noir is crafted with care from a family of growers in Petaluma, where my Lombardi family has been since 1947.
I’m most proud of the relationships I have with grower families that provide access to incredible fruit and that I can make a style of wine that I love to drink. The greatest satisfaction is seeing that enjoyment from people who try the wines I love to make.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Growing up in Sonoma County and now living in Petaluma for the past 27 years is a dream come true. This garden of Eden only made better that I’m lucky and grateful it is where Christine and I are able to raise a family here. Once known as the butter and egg capital of the world, Petaluma is a river town of artisans.
Pricing:
- Lombardi Sonoma Coast Chardonnay – $44
- Lombardi Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – $48
- Lombardi Hill Justice Vineyard Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap – $68
- Lombardi Giusti Ranch Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley – $68
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lombardiwines.com
- Phone: 707-280-5917
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lombardi_wines/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lombardiwines/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LombardiWines
Image Credit:
@George Rose Photography, @Mitch Rice Photography
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