Vulgaris, a Montepulciano from the lesser-seen side of Abruzzo, earned 93 points and a gold medal at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards, helping Today Imports secure the title of Importer of the Year – Italy. But the real story lies beyond the medal count.

At its heart, this win represents a shift in how wine is selected and shared in the US on-premise market. Today Imports, led by President Agnes Szumilo, has built its identity around more than just labels. They curate wines that feel relevant, rooted, and ready for the glass. Vulgaris, made by Idi Di Marzo from organically farmed vineyards and bottled with a modern eye, fits squarely within that mission.

In this interview, Szumilo unpacks how Today Imports is creating new pathways for Italian wine in the US through partnership, perspective, and a deep respect for story.

Congratulations on being named “Importer of the Year – Italy” at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards. Vulgaris by Idi Di Marzo, which scored 93 points and won Gold, clearly stood out. What do you think it was about this wine that resonated so strongly with the judging panel—and more broadly, what story does it tell about the grape and the terroir it comes from?

I guess that what charmed the judging panel is at the base of the foundation of the Idi Di Marzo estate, which was founded in 2010 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the De Cerchio family as vintners, and with the aim to produce wines that show the hidden side of Abruzzo. The Montepulciano grape has been known in two opposite versions: light and easy drinking or barrel-aged, alcoholic, and tannic. In fact, the VULGARIS is a re-interpretation of the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo that shows how versatile and balanced this grape can be. Here we find freshness and fruitiness, but perfectly balanced with a vibrant structure and drinkability. A wine that is easy to drink but not common, good as an aperitivo or to be paired with food.

Image: Vulgaris by Idi Di Marzo, scored 93 points and a Gold medal.

Vulgaris was described as “bright and layered,” with notes of red currant, cedar, and baked earth, offering both complexity and accessibility. Can you tell us more about the producer, Idi Di Marzo? What drew you to this particular estate, and how does this wine reflect your overall philosophy when building your Italian portfolio?

Idi Di Marzo was founded in 2010 by the De Cerchio family, celebrating 100 years of grape-growing in Villamagna, Abruzzo. We were drawn to this estate for its blend of heritage and forward thinking—hand-harvested, low-yield vineyards, organic farming, and stainless-steel fermentation that celebrates freshness and authenticity.

This spirit mirrors Today Imports’ philosophy: wines that feel present, sincere, and expressive. Vulgaris embodies that—layered, lively Montepulciano made with care and vision, perfect for today’s explorers.

Image: Idi di Marz, Villamagna, Abruzzo.

Today Imports emphasizes close relationships with vineyards. How do you go about selecting producers to work with? What do you look for beyond the wine itself?

At Today Imports, finding the right producers is about more than just great wine—it’s about the full picture. We look for winemakers who blend tradition with fresh ideas, like Idi Di Marzo, where a century of family history meets organic and vegan-friendly practices. We’re drawn to wines that really speak to their place, whether it’s the limestone-rich soils of Abruzzo or a vineyard shaped by sea breezes. Consistency matters too—we want partners who can deliver quality year after year and keep our shelves stocked. Just as important is the mindset: we love working with people who are open, creative, and excited to grow together. And while we focus on small, thoughtful production, there still has to be enough to support our restaurant and retail partners without losing that handmade feel.

The award recognizes importers whose wines are ideal for on-premise consumption. Where is Vulgaris currently available in the US market? Are you working with national chains, regional distributors, or independent retailers and restaurants, and what does that mix look like?

We launched Vulgaris through a mix of small regional distributors in the Northeast and a network of independent restaurants and retailers spanning from NYC and Brooklyn to Chicago and Miami, with many venues currently featuring it by the glass. This approach allows us to maintain consistency while ensuring a strong cultural fit in key urban markets, where our wines resonate most with curious, design-minded consumers.

What role does your company play in supporting your retail and on-premise partners with sell-through? Can you share some of the marketing activities, educational efforts, or in-store promotions that are working particularly well right now?

We activate partnerships through:

• Sommelier trainings: Focused on tasting, pairing, presentation—helping staff confidently recommend.

• POS tools: Shelf-talkers and menu inserts highlighting the 93-point score, tasting notes, and Abruzzo background.

• Pop-up events: “A Taste of Abruzzo” dinners, wine-and-food pairings with small plates and music.

• Education campaigns: Virtual tasting sessions and QR-linked storytelling for consumers.

• Incentives: Monthly rebates and quantity discounts.

Early results show 20–30% sales growth and repeat listings across participating venues.

From a brand-building standpoint, how do you plan to leverage this Sommeliers Choice Award, both for Vulgaris and for Today Imports as a whole? Will this recognition influence your expansion plans or the way you approach new market entries?

The “Importer of the Year – Italy” award is a turning point for Today Imports.

• For Vulgaris: we’re rolling out the award badge across labels, menus, site listings, and digital channels.

• For Today Imports overall: we’ll use it to secure placements with mid-tier chains and prioritize entries into new regional markets (like the upper Midwest and Northeast) starting Q4 2025.

• PR and storytelling: features in trade newsletters, retailer mailers—this positions us as a trusted curator of Italian gems.

Image: Today Imports named Importer of the Year Italy at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards with their award-winning wines.

Sustainability is increasingly front of mind in the wine trade. What efforts are you seeing from your producers, especially in Italy, in terms of environmental responsibility, and how does Today Imports support or amplify those practices?

Sustainability is core to both Idi Di Marzo and Today Imports:

• Idi Di Marzo is organic, certified sustainable, and vegan-friendly; they’ve reduced heavy glass use from 35% to under 15%.

• They employ natural vineyard techniques—cover cropping, minimal treatments, water recycling, and solar.

• They bottle intentional wines with lower CO₂ stamps.

We amplify these practices through:

• Sustainability-focused marketing: POS signage, virtual tastings, sustainability callouts in all communications.

• Transparency support: vendors share ESG documentation; we highlight it in pitches and consumer materials.

• Story-rich content: video tours, “meet the farmer” Instagram Lives, and winery visit features.

It’s not just a label — it’s woven into the narrative from vine to glass.

Image: The Terroir - Idi Di Marzo estate.

Today Imports speaks of wine as a reflection of people, place, and culture. What’s something most people don’t know about your company that you think captures its essence, something beyond what’s in the bottle?

What many don’t know is that Today Imports began as a passion project. We originally launched a distribution firm, but quickly noticed something: many imports lacked consistency in stock, quality, and visual story. Driven by that, in 2023, we shifted entirely, sourcing our own wines, committing only to producers we’d share with friends.

The name, “Today Imports,” embodies that ethos: in-the-moment wines, thoughtfully chosen for now. We live by pairing bottles with pop-ups, playlists, and artist collaborations, and that sense of spontaneity and intentionality shapes everything we do.

It’s not just about selling wine, it’s building cultural moments, one bottle at a time.

Conclusion:

As Vulgaris finds new listings and Today Imports expands into fresh markets, their recent win serves less as a crowning achievement than a stepping stone, one that validates a values-driven model that prizes narrative, consistency, and sustainable sourcing. For Szumilo and her team, the Sommeliers Choice Award is not simply a recognition, but an invitation: to keep deepening relationships, to keep finding bottles that belong on today’s tables, and to keep telling the stories that make those wines matter.

Header Image: Team - Famiglia De Cerchio at VINITALY, 2023.

In conversation with Malvika Patel, Editor and VP, Beverage Trade Network

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