By Dongyun Kwon
A signature limoncello spritz led a Yarra Valley winery to be on top and full of glory.
Yarra Glen based winery, restaurant and wedding venue Zonzo Estate has won two awards at the 2024 Supplier of the Year Award for its efforts on innovation of its products, especially its iconic drink Zoncello Limoncello Spritz.
Zonzo Estate director Rod Micallef said the team is proud to have won the awards.
“We just have a lovely feeling to see that all our teamwork and effort have paid off and been recognised,” he said.
Mr Micallef established Zonzo Estate in 2007, starting the restaurant and wedding venue first, then following it up with a vineyard and winery in 2015.
The Small Supplier of the Year (Retail) award was given to Zonzo Estate for its innovation in expanding to spirits, liqueurs and beer.
Endeavour Group fine wine head Andrew Shedden said it’s been amazing working with Zonzo Estate and seeing how they’ve captured everyone’s hearts.
“These guys have really knocked it out of the park with their innovation this year,” he said.
“Zonzo’s journey from local favourite to a national sensation is exactly the kind of success story we love.
“Hats off to the Zonzo team for their creativity and hard work – we’re excited to see what’s next on the menu.”
Zonzo Estate’s Zoncello Limoncello Spritz was awarded the Product Innovation of the Year which recognises product innovation that contributes to the acceleration or transformation of its category or develops a new sub-category through either recruiting new customers or creating new occasions.
Mr Micallef said the Product Innovation of the Year is something that they are extremely proud of as they have tried to keep innovating and leading in the market.
“We had Australia’s first bottled Peach Bellini, which is a peach nectar with prosecco,” he said.
“We had the world’s first pre-mixed limoncello spritz Zonzocello Limoncello Spritz and we had another world first product, Cicchio Pistacchio Spritz, which we just launched in June this year.
“We keep leading the way, creating trends and attracting new age drinkers to the wine category.”
Zonzocello Limoncello Spritz has the nickname Sunshine in a Bottle although it’s popular not only in the spring and summer but also throughout winter.
Mr Shedden said Zonzo Estate has absolutely nailed it with the Zoncello Limoncello Spritz.
“This drink is the perfect mix of the lemony goodness everyone loves and the convenience of a ready-to-serve bottle,” he said.
“It’s no wonder it’s become such a hit! Working with Zonzo to get this to market has been a fantastic journey, and we couldn’t be happier to see our customers loving it all year round.
“Big congrats to the Zonzo team for their awesome work and for setting the bar so high.”
The awards was hosted by Endeavour Group at the Accor Stadium in Sydney’s Olympic Park on Thursday 12 September.
