Vallepicciola, a leading estate in Chianti Classico, today announces a new governance structure and a strengthened partnership with the Balan family.
Castelnuovo Berardenga (Siena), June 15, 2026 – Vallepicciola, a leading estate in Chianti Classico, today announces a new governance structure and a strengthened partnership with the Balan family.
NEW GOVERNANCE
Hee Soo Bolfo is appointed Chairwoman, taking direct responsibility on behalf of ownership and safeguarding the long-term vision of the Bolfo family. Nicola Vercellotti is appointed Chief Executive Officer, holding overall responsibility for company management and the delivery of the industrial plan across the group perimeter. Gaia Cinnirella joins as General Manager. Thirty-four years old, with a double degree in Viticulture & Oenology from the University of Milan, she joins Vallepicciola from Ornellaia e Masseto, where she served as Cellar Master & Winemaker of Masseto. Previously Head of Vineyards and Assistant Technical Director at Biondi-Santi / Tenuta Il Greppo, she has been recognised by Fortune Italia in the 40 Under 40 list as Wine Industry Leader.The new management will continue to benefit from the experience of Alessandro Cellai as Strategic Advisor to the Bolfo family for winemaking, ensuring continued support on both the commercial and oenological goals of Vallepicciola.
(Left to right): Nicola Vercellotti, Gaia Cinnirella, Alessandro Cellai
STRENGTHENED PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BALAN FAMILY
Vallepicciola further announces a deepening of the long-standing partnership with the Balan family. Distribuzione Balan will continue to operate as an independent multibrand distributor under the operational leadership of Daniele and Fabio Balan, who retain full responsibility for commercial strategy, portfolio curation and relationships with wineries and the agent network. The partnership is backed by a combined fresh capital commitment of over €3 million from the two families, dedicated to strengthening distribution capabilities and ensuring top-quality service to clients, agents and brands represented by Distribuzione Balan. The Bolfo family and Vallepicciola management will be directly engaged in Balan’s governance, while preserving the multibrand identity and independence that have made Distribuzione Balan a benchmark in Italian premium wine distribution. «I’m thrilled to open a new chapter for Vallepicciola. Gaia is a strong young woman with an impressive track record and will help us make the difference — women at the top is part of the future we are building. I am equally pleased to count on the Balan family: while preserving their full independence as a multibrand distributor, this strengthened partnership will significantly improve our penetration across the HORECA channel», states Hee Soo Bolfo, Chairwoman of Vallepicciola.
