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Italy and Utah: How to Thrive in Unique Wine Worlds

Mar 19, 2025

Today, we journey across the world with Stephanie Cuadra, a woman whose path to wine is as bold and layered as the wines she now produces.

Once a political journalist covering Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, Stephanie found herself unexpectedly in the world of Chianti, managing communications for a top winery. Now, she's a wine importer and producer in Italy’s Valle d’Itria, championing rare indigenous grapes and shaking up tradition with her new boxed wine brand, Liquido.

In this episode, Stephanie shares her fascinating journey, the challenges of Italian wine culture, and her mission to preserve forgotten grape varieties all while navigating the complexities of modern wine production.

So pour a glass, sit back, and get ready to be inspired by the world of wine and one remarkable woman behind it.

In this episode, you will be able to:
  • Discover the unique journey of Stephanie, a former political journalist turned wine producer and how her background shaped her approach to the wine industry.
  • Learn about the indigenous grape varieties of Puglia, and why they are often overlooked in the wine world.
  • Explore the challenges and rewards of running a small wine production in Italy, including the importance of local co-ops and community support.
  • Find out about Stephanie's innovative boxed wine project, "Liquido," aimed at changing perceptions of boxed wines and expanding the reach of lesser-known grape varieties.
  • Gain insights into the complexities of importing wine in Utah, a unique market with its own set of challenges and opportunities, and how Stephanie navigates this landscape.
Stephanie Cuadra is a dynamic figure in the wine industry, currently based in Greve in Chianti, Tuscany. With a background in political journalism and a degree in Italian literature from Georgetown University, Stephanie's journey into the world of wine began serendipitously when she was recruited to oversee communications at Querciabella, a renowned winery in Chianti. Her passion for wine deepened as she married the winery's CEO, Roberto Lasorte, and together they embarked on a mission to revive her husband's family farm in Valle d'Itria, Puglia.

As a wine importer based in Salt Lake City, Stephanie has cultivated a portfolio that champions small producers and indigenous grape varieties, focusing on the unique offerings of Italy and Spain. Her commitment to preserving viticultural heritage is evident in her production of Silos, a field blend of native grapes from the Valle d'Itria, and her latest venture, Liquido, a fresh take on boxed wines aimed at expanding the reach of lesser-known varietals.

Fluent in Italian and deeply connected to her roots, Stephanie is passionate about sharing the stories behind her wines and the traditions of the regions they come from. With a mission to educate and inspire wine lovers, she invites you to join her on this exciting journey through the world of Italian wines.

Contact Stephanie Cuadra here: