Isaac Anzaruth of Allora Vino Imports

Italy’s vino sparks plenty of passion among wine lovers, with twenty wine regions, thousands of varietals and producers, each contributing to today’s fascinating mosaic of wine.  AlloraVino Imports was created by Isaac Anzaruth, founded on his own infatuation with Italian wine, specifically Brunello di Montalcino.  Anzaruth’s journey has taken him across the world, landing in Los Angeles for this next leg of growing his wine import business.  Over lunch at Terroni Restaurant, Anzaruth introduced himself to the LA Wine Writers, and poured some of the small family estate wines he imports to the US, laying out his goals fueled by his love of Italian wine.

Anzaruth’s wine journey began unexpectedly in Israel over a decade ago, when sipping a glass of wine, he was inspired to change his life, and thought “I’d love to do wine”.  The next day, he flew to Florence, right into the heart of Tuscan wine country.  Looking for a place to start, Anzaruth discovered an important wine event, Benvenuto Brunello, was taking place a couple of hours south in the town of Montalcino.  He arrived, he tasted, he was struck by a lightning bolt.  He vividly remembers all the details of that day, “What I was wearing, who I was with, and which winery I was drinking, and that was my epiphany Brunello.”  As he recalls, “I didn’t know what I was doing, I just knew that I really liked it, and went around to 200 different producers in three days.  On the spot, I asked do you have any representation in Hong Kong?”  Now, to clarify, Anzaruth lived in Hong Kong at that time, and ran his own manufacturing business, but not a wine business.  Smitten, he bought the newest vintage wines from the producers, and on the plane trip back home, crafted a business plan for wine.  That was 2011, and the venture came to be Solo Vino Italian Imports.

In 2017, Anzaruth sold the business to move closer to his family in Los Angeles.  But extensive red tape and a steep learning curve made for a difficult transition, from sales and tastings to importing wine.  But he channeled the passion he felt from that very first day in Montalcino, when he impulsively bought a pallet of wine from twenty different producers without an import business in place, and has continued to pursue his vision here in the US.  “Cocky but humble”, Anzaruth found it difficult as a newbie to import wine, but had some help along the way.  Glen Grisham of Locus Wine Consulting was confident about the quality that Anzaruth had to offer. and helped him navigate the complexities of importing wine.  Finally, in the summer of 2022, the first shipment arrived, and distributors took most of it, pre-selling the wines before they even arrived.

​AlloraVino embodies “Quality over Quantity”, representing small family estate wines that have not been imported into the US before.  Currently, thirteen estates from Italy are represented, mostly from Tuscany, a few from Piedmont and the Veneto.  Anzaruth’s vision is to seek out wines that fulfills his checklist.  Under the “What sets this wine producer apart?” heading, there are certain requirements to be included for AlloraVino representation.  Family owned and run wineries, using sustainable and organic/biodynamic farming practices, terroir-driven, producing small quantities of wine, and have a great story to boot.  In Anzaruth’s own words, “The exceptional hand-crafted nature of AlloraVino wines stands apart by virtue of their farming practices, prized locations, and the multigenerational dedication of the wine growers and makers.”

For Anzaruth, his palate is his guide.  He looks for diversity, such as linear versus rustic wine profiles.  “I’m passionate about these wines and try to get that across”, he notes, but often, it really comes down to relationships with the individual producers.  His epiphany wine?  Cupano Brunello di Montalcino, still unforgettable for him and represented in his portfolio of imports.  And why such a strong connection to Brunello?  Listen to Isaac Anzaruth explain what fascinates him most about this celebrated wine.

Glen Grisham of Locus Wine Consulting pours a lively white Tuscan wine to start with.

Ten wines were tasted, starting with the Antica Fattoria La Parrina Vermentino DOC 2019, refreshing on a hot August day but with good body, somewhat aromatic with apple, citrus and peach fruit.  This is one of the producers that Anzaruth made an exception for, a larger production but a great story, with careful farming and a vineyard site on the edge of a wildlife lagoon, overlooking the western Mediterranean Sea.

Ugo Bing Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG 2017, a great expression of Sangiovese blended with Canaiolo and Colorino, the fruit really shines in this approachable wine full of fruit and spice, with lots of personality in the glass.

Fattoria Kappa Lambda IGT 2018, a Super Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, mouth filling aromas and flavors of ripe red cherries and red plums, with a dash of black pepper.  Hand-crafted wines with a modern label, the vineyards face the Mediterranean, worked by horses with biodynamic techniques.
Fattoria Kappa Toscana Rosso IGT 2019, another big muscular wine with berry, spice, leather and mocha notes, lush fruit accented by herbal highlights, a Super Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Merlot, full bodied and dense.

La Fornace Rosso di Montalcino 2019, a vibrant Sangiovese with cherry and raspberry fruit, notes of olive, earth and herbs.
La Fornace Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2017, intense with perfumed dark fruit (wild berries, plum and cherry) and spice, oak accents.

Querce Bettina Rosso di Montalcino 2018, red fruit and flower aromas and flavors, a meaty-gamey note with a mineral accent, mild tannins and vibrant acidity. 
Querce Bettina Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015, smooth and polished, an elegant Brunello with vivid wild berry, plum, red currant and cherry fruit, savory with notes of underbrush, integrated with a long smooth finish.

Villa Le Prata Tirso Rosso di Montalcino 2018, very smooth, almost Brunello-like in body, a crescendo of aromas and flavors falls into fruit and spice, with notes of earth, leather, and underbrush.
Villa Le Prata Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016, beautifully balanced, with cherry, mocha and star anise notes, whiff of grilled herbs and graphite, a blend of the best blocks from estate vineyards, really fabulous wine.

Isaac Anzaruth with his beloved Brunellos

All these wines have personality, just like their importer, Isaac Anzaruth.  AlloraVino Imports is just getting started, as Anzaruth is planning to grow the portfolio to include more Italian gems that have captured his heart.  As he uncovers these treasures, he plans to share them with wine lovers everywhere.  In Italian, “Allora” translates to “so, then, well” and it seems that Anzaruth is focused on his next chapter of life, where wine is center stage.  It’s a pursuit we all can participate in and benefit from, for AlloraVino’s success is a wine drinker’s pleasure.