Ethica Wines Named 2026 Importer of the Year
Francesco Ganz’s decade-long commitment to Italian family-run wineries earns top industry recognition.
1Industry Recognition for Ethica
Ethica Wines has been honored with the 2026 Wine Star Award for Importer of the Year. Founded ten years ago by Francesco Ganz, the company was established to elevate Italian wine beyond simple catalog listings. This award acknowledges the firm's decade of dedication to representing Italian producers with integrity and strategic focus.
2Foundational Philosophy of Ganz
Francesco Ganz, raised in the Veneto Dolomites, learned early that wine is inseparable from its origin. He founded Ethica Wines to act as a genuine partner rather than a traditional importer. His vision emphasizes the unique cultural identities, native varieties, and historical depth found within Italy’s diverse wine-producing regions and landscapes.
3Strategic Executive Team Structure
The company’s growth is supported by a specialized leadership team. Paolo Bressan manages off-trade sales, while Damiano Sorato brings fifteen years of sommelier experience to on-trade operations. Paola Lena provides financial discipline as CFO, and Lara Lona serves as the operational backbone, overseeing logistics and purchasing to ensure a unified business model.
4Operational Integration Under One Roof
Ganz emphasizes that the company’s success stems from consolidating sales, marketing, logistics, and operations into a single cohesive structure. By centralizing these functions, Ethica Wines maintains a consistent brand identity for its partners. This operational efficiency allows the firm to effectively communicate the history and ambition behind every bottle they import.
5Focus on Family-Run Producers
Ethica Wines prioritizes partnerships with family-run wineries that share their long-term vision. The company selects producers who are committed to building lasting value and brand recognition. These bottles are intended to represent the collective work, beauty, and history of generations, ensuring that the human element remains central to their business model.
6Italy as a Diverse Category
For Ethica, Italy is not merely a single category but an endless conversation due to its irreducible identities. The company highlights that a single hillside or village can produce unique wines found nowhere else. This unmatched diversity drives their business strategy, as they continuously explore new territories and distinctive native grape varieties.
7Collaborative Success and Growth
As the company celebrates its tenth anniversary, Ganz attributes the Wine Star Award to a collective effort. He credits the achievement to employees, winery partners, distributors, and industry professionals who contributed to the journey. This collaborative approach has been essential in establishing Ethica Wines as a significant player in the global market.
8Broader Industry Context
The 2026 Wine Star Awards also recognized other industry figures, including Josh Hart for Wine Culture and Gretchen Roddick as Person of the Year. Sicily was named International Wine Region of the Year, while Livermore Valley received the American title. These awards reflect a broader industry trend of celebrating regional heritage and hospitality.
Original article: Wine Enthusiast — Ethica Wines Named 2026 Importer of the Year