Volunteers

Following his passion for incredible wines, and on a recommendation from Honorary Trustee, Bruce Nichols, Marcello began volunteering with the Naples Winter Wine Festival in 2010. Originally from Napoli, Italy, he moved to Naples, Florida in 2007. He and his wife of thirteen years, Kate, are the proud parents of three beautiful children; Luca, Adriano and Clara. To have the opportunity to fully enjoy the closeness of family, Marcello’s parents immigrated to Naples from Italy in 2018.

At a Vintner Dinner, during his first-year volunteering, Marcello was introduced to Leonardo LoCascio, the founder and owner of Winebow Imports. He and Marcello struck up a friendship over their shared passion for fine wine, and three months later Leonardo offered Marcello a position within his company. Winebow Imports has enabled Marcello to dive even deeper into the wine world and he is currently responsible for their Italian Portfolio in 10 states; Puerto Rico, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. As Marcello states, “I owe my wine career to that evening and to Leonardo LoCascio. In that few hours he saw in me something special and invested in me.”

When asked what his bucket list would look like, Marcello shared he would love to visit Jerusalem, learn to speak another language, and run a full marathon. If he were to have one super-power—the ability to control of time would be the choice. That way he would be able to accomplish everything on his to-do list every day! Rounding out his gregarious and affable personality, it is almost no surprise to learn that, in his youth, Marcello was part of a professional roller-skating team and a cycling team.

Marcello’s favorite quote:
“Fate whispers to the warrior, ‘You cannot withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm.’” – Unknown