Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Winemaker Recognized in 2020 Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40
WINDSOR, Calif., August 19, 2020 – Today Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Winemaker, Zidanelia Arcidiacono, earned a spot on the 2020 Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 list, which recognizes the young winemakers, brewers, beverage directors, grape growers, and other movers and shakers who are changing today’s beverage industry.
“We are so proud of Z for receiving this great recognition,” said Sonoma-Cutrer Director of Winemaking, Mick Schroeter. “Z’s leadership and passion makes her an integral member of our team and well deserving of Wine Enthusiast’s 40 under 40 Tastemakers.”
Born in Texas, Zidanelia “Z” and her family moved to Mendoza, Argentina when she was just three years old. Since winemaking is the main economic industry in that region, she grew up surrounded by winemakers and listening to their wonderful stories. The passion they expressed for their life’s work made a deep impression on her at a young age, and she decided winemaking was her true calling.
Zidanelia began her career working in the lab at Bodega Cruz de Piedra while attending university in Mendoza. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in winemaking, she traveled to the south of France to the Cave cooperative Les Vignerons du Pays d’Enserune, working in the cellar for a harvest. Upon returning to Mendoza, however, she realized she wanted to keep traveling and her next destination should be California.
After arriving in the US in 2007, Zidanelia soon learned of Sonoma-Cutrer, where she applied for and was hired as an Enologist for that season’s harvest. She loved the experience and region so much that she decided to stay, moving on to the same position at Fetzer winery. There her skills, experience, passion and hard work helped her move quickly through the ranks, and she became the Winemaker for Fetzer Reserve Wines and Little Black Dress within a few years.
Returning to Sonoma-Cutrer in 2015, Zidanelia is happy to be back where her California adventure first began. Her experience working on reserve wines made her the perfect fit for the role of crafting Sonoma-Cutrer’s outstanding Pinot Noirs. Zidanelia says that she loves nurturing the wines throughout the process and, even more, seeing others enjoy the results of her work.
Not only is Zidanelia dedicated to shaping the future of Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir, which she considers a “best kept secret,” she also champions the winery’s employee resource groups on female leadership and sustainability. In this role, she works to provide tools, career development assets and education for women within the organization and helps to promote and implement a range of green initiatives.
“I love challenges because I know those achievements are most rewarding, which is why Pinot Noir is my favorite variety,” says Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Winemaker, Zidanelia Arcidiacono. “I truly believe that my accomplishments are a clear reflection of my tenacity, perseverance and passion; but I also owe it in large part to the people who influenced and continue to mark my path.”
About Sonoma-Cutrer:
Sonoma-Cutrer has been crafting wines since 1981 in the esteemed Russian River Valley growing region of Sonoma County, California. Our flagship wine Russian River Ranches was built in the on-premise and for almost 40 years has dominated the Most Popular Chardonnay wine lists. Our winemaking process is designed specifically to preserve the highest quality grapes, and the wines are aged in barrels made of specific French oak trees that are individually-selected to fit the winemakers’ needs. All Sonoma-Cutrer wines can be purchased at the Sonoma-Cutrer winery as well as through the wine club, Club Cutrer. For more information about our wines, how to purchase or to join Club Cutrer, please visit www.sonomacutrer.com or visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/sonomacutrervineyards.
