Darrell Corti

A second generation Californian, Darrell Corti is an internationally known wine and food expert. He has been aforce in the development and growth of the California wine industry. He was a catalyst in the re-evaluation and renaissance of zinfandel and other wine varieties grown in the Sierrafoothills of California. He has been a leader in advocating wider use of Italian varieties of grapes in California. Mr. Corti is widely consulted by experts in the wine and food industry for his opinions on wines and food: i.e.,olive oil, Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale, with notable quotes in recent editions of New York Times and FortuneMagazine. He has been a contributing Editor of Saveur Magazine. Mr. Corti sits on several tasting panels for regional, state, national, and foreign wine competitions, and is amember of several wine and food societies, notably American Society of Enologists and Medical Friends of Wine. Among his many honors are Bacco d'Oro awarded by the Italian Government Institute of Foreign Trade inrecognition for his work promoting quality Italian wines; Who's Who of Cooking honoring leaders of America'sCulinary industry. WAFIF awarded from the American Institute of Wine and Food; Cavaliere (Knighthood) inthe Ordine al Meriot della Republica Italiano awarded by the President of the Italian Republic, a CulinaryInstitute of America Vintner’s Hall of Fame inductee Class of 2008, and a 2009 inductee into the Italian TradeCommission’s Hall of Fame, just to mention a few of his numerous recognitions. During recent years Mr. Corti has been a guide for the Smithsonian tours to Italy, and over the past 20 years hasbeen an escort for wine, food,and olive oil tours to Italy, Spain. France, Greece, Portugal, Chile, andArgentina. He is also a member of the recently created Smithsonian Institute National Museum of AmericanHistory Kitchen Cabinet Advisory Board. Mr. Corti is fluent in several languages with a degree in Spanish and Italian from St. Mary's College inMoraga, California. He also studied a year at the University of Madrid in Spain.