The philanthropic program commemorating the wine visionary is in partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
LAKE BLUFF, IL (November 14, 2023) – The third annual Anthony J. Terlato Legacy Program has once again raised a substantial sum to donate to a charitable organization, in a continued partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. The Legacy Program underscores the Terlato family’s ongoing commitment to fine wines and highlights Anthony J. Terlato’s pivotal role in shaping a major part of America’s wine culture.
Throughout his career, Anthony J. “Tony” Terlato pioneered quality wines, leaving a profound impact on America’s drinking habits and appreciation of food and wine. In 1979, Tony Terlato introduced American palates to Pinot Grigio, establishing a lasting category for white wine that remains to this day. With a trailblazing career spanning over six decades, he became regarded as “The Father of Pinot Grigio.” Terlato passed away in June 2020, but the Terlato family, a proud four-generation family business, continues his mission of producing, importing, and marketing fine wines and giving back to their industry and communities. In recognition of his enduring contributions, Terlato Wines introduced the Terlato Legacy Program in 2021.
With over 40 years of leadership in luxury Pinot Grigio, CEO Bill Terlato, Tony Terlato’s son, traveled to the Northeast of Italy in 2012 to write the next chapter for their family and the category. In 2014, he released Terlato Vineyards Pinot Grigio, an estate grown and bottled 100% Pinot Grigio wine from Friuli Colli Orientali DOC, Italy’s most renowned white wine region. Today it is a top-selling luxury Pinot Grigio.
In partnership with premier beverage distributor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the Terlato Legacy Program has established an annual challenge with Terlato Vineyards Pinot Grigio to fund a charity in honor of the late Tony Terlato. With twenty-five markets competing to deliver the best performance, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Texas emerged victorious, surpassing their goal by an impressive 126% for the program.
Their laudable efforts delivered a $40,000 donation to the Salvation Army of Northern Texas Echelon. Terlato Vineyards and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits will each contribute $20,000 ($40,000 total) to support this important initiative with a check presentation, which took place on November 9, 2023 at Dee Lincoln Prime in Dallas.
Bill Terlato, CEO of Terlato Wine Group and Terlato Wines says, “The dedication shown by the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits team in Texas is commendable, a resounding success that my father, Tony Terlato, would have been honored to be part of. This year’s contribution to the Salvation Army of Northern Texas Echelon reaffirms our commitment towards making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. We’re proud of what our steadfast partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has accomplished, and excited to see where the momentum will lead us next year.”
Matt Metz, Executive VP and GM of Texas for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits says, “Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Texas is proud to have won our network-wide contest in honor of Anthony J. Terlato and honored to have the opportunity to give back to our community in conjunction with the Terlato family. We polled our sales leaders, and the results were clear that helping to end homelessness and housing insecurity in Texas is a cause that we are passionate about supporting. In conjunction with The Salvation Army’s Echelon Dallas chapter, an organization of philanthropic young professionals, we selected the Carr P. Collins Social Service Center as the recipient of the $40,000 donation. This center, located in North Texas, is the largest Salvation Army multi-use facility in the world and offers a multitude of services year-round including residential treatment, emergency shelter, food pantry, victim services programs, rehousing, homeless prevention, job readiness, and financial education. We are so incredibly honored to be a part of Anthony Terlato’s legacy, and to see this generous donation going toward Texas families in need as we approach the holiday season. We extend a heartfelt thank you to the Terlato family, the Echelon Dallas chapter, and our entire Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Texas team who made this all possible.”
More information on Terlato Wines International is available at https://terlato.com/s/
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits https://www.southernglazers.com/
