Renowned San Antonio Winery Responds to Consumer Demand and Creates a New Sparkling Wine Sensation in the Process

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Stella Rosa wines are unique in every sense of the word.  They were created by Los Angeles' renowned San Antonio Winery in response to consumer requests for a high-quality, slightly sweet and fruity, everyday wine.  To meet this growing taste preference, the Riboli Family, owners of the San Antonio Winery, traveled to Piedmont in Northern Italy.  They created what has become a new and totally unique category of wines that are lighter than traditional table wines, with just a touch of carbonation – a sparkling wine not so bubbly as to be reserved just for celebratory occasions.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110817/SF53373)  

The Stella Rosa lineup is part of the semi-sweet category, the fastest growing category in the US, led by the Moscato grape.  Stella Rosa Rosso, a red wine derived from Brachetto grapes grown in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, was introduced approximately eight years ago.  The brand has since expanded to include two levels.  The first and original level is the everyday, semi-sparkling wines: Stella Rosa Rosso, Stella Rosa Bianco, and Moscato D'Asti DOCG.  The second level is super high-quality, fully sparkling wines called Stella Rosa Imperiale. The Imperiale level includes unique grapes of the highest quality: Orange Moscato DOCG, Moscato Rose, Brachetto D'Acqui DOCG and Super Moscato.

"To address the taste preferences of our consumers, we created a brand new flavor that never existed before," explained Mike Riboli, a member of the four-generation, family management team.  "In the Stella Rosa brand, we produced a high-quality, semi-sparkling wine made from some of the finest grapes to be found in the rich vineyards of Northern Italy.  Unlike our competitors' products, Stella Rosa is naturally carbonated, which results in finer bubbles and lower alcohol content than in the typical 'celebratory' full sparkling wines."

Riboli added that despite the high-quality ingredients and the fact that the wine is not mass-produced, the retail price for first level of Stella Rosa wines is $12 per bottle and under. The Imperiale group retails for less than $20.

"As a result, Stella Rosa has enjoyed almost instantaneous success," Riboli noted.  "It has very quickly become one of our top-selling brands."

Stella Rosa's growing fan base is enthusiastic in its praises for the taste and versatility of the wine.  

Following is a sampling of real fan comments:

"My all-time favorite... I prefer it over any other wine anytime. It's so smooth and flavorful." W.M.

"Delicious! I drink it alone, not paired with anything, to savor its flavor." E.P.

"It's a great light summer wine (although I drink it year round).  Goes really well with pasta, poultry, fish, fruit and cheese (or on its own). I love the slight effervescence on the tongue that just catches you by surprise and makes you smile. Great for making toasts too! Love it!" D.J.

The historical San Antonio Winery has been the heart of winemaking and wine culture in Los Angeles since 1917. The last of more than 100 wineries that once spread throughout Los Angeles, this fully functioning, state-of-the-art winery continues to handcraft wines from Northern Italian vineyards as well as estate vineyards in Napa Valley, Monterey, Paso Robles and many other viticultural areas throughout California.  San Antonio also is among the last wineries owned and operated for four generations by its founding family.

Today, the San Antonio Winery produces countless award-winning wines.  In addition, it boasts a comprehensive fine wine store, the gourmet Maddalena Cucina Restaurant, a gift boutique and group rooms ideal for all occasions. This landmark is widely considered one of Los Angeles' most unique venues and a large part of the city's cultural fabric.

Learn more about the San Antonio Winery and Stella Rosa Wines at http://www.sanantoniowinery.com/ and http://stellarosawines.com/.

SOURCE San Antonio Winery