The people behind the mark of excellence: the Ambassadors around the world, the tasting commissions and The WineHunter Helmuth Köcher.
World of WineHunter
The WineHunter - Ambassadors
Welcome to the section dedicated to The WineHunter Ambassadors, the representatives selected by The WineHunter Helmuth Koecher. They represent The WineHunter brand on an international level, communicating its mission of seeking excellence and high quality. The WineHunter Ambassadors come from various countries around the world and serve as a bridge between The WineHunter and the markets in which they operate. They work in key countries such as South America, Canada, Ukraine, Asian markets, Spain, and Portugal. Here, you will have the opportunity to get to know our WineHunters better.
Alessandra Teston
WH Ambassador · Belgium
Italian wine importer based in Belgium, Alessandra Teston focuses on boutique wineries, indigenous varieties, and lesser-known denominations. She promotes Italian wines with a focus on storytelling, authenticity, and terroir-driven identity.
Alessandro Satin
WH Ambassador · Canada & Scandinavia
Founder of Tendervino, Alessandro Satin guides Italian and international producers through the complexities of state monopoly systems in Canada and Scandinavia. With a background as importer and export manager, he combines strategic insight with practical support. His company helps wineries develop sustainable business plans and access markets that are both selective and full of potential for quality wines and spirits.
Angelo Dal Bon
WH Ambassador · Mexico
An Italian chef and restaurateur based in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Founder of Tre Galline and Caffé Todos Santos, Angelo Dal Bon has been a bridge between Italian gastronomy and the Mexican food and wine scene. Originally from Lake Garda, he imports Italian wines and ingredients, combining Italian authenticity with local flavors and promoting Italian excellence abroad.
Antonio Bruno
WH Ambassador · Ireland, UK & Northern Europe
Managing Director of Strive International since 2014, Antonio Bruno leads delegations of buyers to top international trade fairs such as Wine Paris, Fenavin, and Barcelona Wine Week. He specializes in international marketing and promotion, connecting Italian wineries with importers and professionals across Northern Europe.
Besart Kurti
WH Ambassador · Albania
A graduate in International Relations and certified in Wine Export Management (ONAV, WSET), Besart Kurti has over 12 years of experience in the wine trade in Tuscany. Combining Italian expertise with Albanian heritage, he helps wineries enter Balkan markets through export management, marketing, and cultural initiatives.
Claudio Arrigoni Neri
WH Ambassador · Moldova
Sommelier and passionate wine producer, Claudio Arrigoni Neri promotes and distributes Made in Italy products in Moldova while introducing Moldovan wines internationally. His commitment fosters cultural and commercial exchange between Italy and Moldova, enhancing recognition for both nations’ winemaking traditions.
Cristian Chao Chao Wu
WH Ambassador · China
Co-founder of China-Link and owner of Youjia Brand Management, Cristian Chao Chao Wu connects Italian producers with the Chinese market through import, logistics, and brand management. His proprietary import license ensures flexibility and control, allowing China-Link to serve both large companies and small distributors. He collaborates with The WineHunter, Interwine China, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China.
Eyal Shelef
WH Ambassador · Israel
Founder and CEO of WINESIL Import Export, Eyal Shelef specializes in promoting premium Italian and Israeli wines. Working with the Italian Embassy, he expands opportunities for Italian wineries in the Middle East.
Francesco Riccio
WH Ambassador · Switzerland
Entrepreneur and sommelier, Francesco Riccio combines experience in gastronomy and international trade. As owner of FR Selection and partner of ARS NOBILIS AG, he manages distribution of premium Italian wines in Switzerland, focusing on brand positioning and long-term growth.
Gorazd Šinik
WH Ambassador · Slovenia
Based in Portorož/Kranj, Gorazd Šinik leads Nominator.si, supporting European wineries—particularly Italian producers—in market access, trade partnerships, and visibility across Slovenia. His network spans distributors and hospitality venues, with track-record in cross-border projects in the northern Adriatic.
Gianmarco Ferrioli
WH Ambassador · Ukraine
Since 2022, he has been the WineHunter Ambassador for the Ukrainian market, fostering exchange between Italy and Ukraine by promoting high-quality companies and products. With a deep knowledge of local territories and productions, he facilitates collaboration between producers and importers, highlighting the stories and traditions behind wines and gastronomic excellence. He also works with institutions to strengthen the ties between the two countries.
Haris Papandreou
WH Ambassador · Greece
Wine professional and event consultant based in Athens, Haris Papandreou promotes Italian and Mediterranean wines through tastings, workshops, and trade collaborations. With a focus on cultural exchange, he supports partnerships between Greek importers and Italian producers under The WineHunter network.
Karine De Souza
WH Ambassador · South America
Brazilian-born, based in Italy, Karine De Souza is CEO of KDS Food & Wines International and founder of KDS International Business Consulting. With over 23 years of experience, she leads export strategies for South America and is creator of the KDS Export Map method, certified on blockchain. She bridges Italian excellence with emerging Latin American markets through structured programs.
Luigi D'Errico
WH Ambassador · Japan & Singapore
With over 20 years of experience promoting Italian agri-food and wine brands in Japan and the ASEAN region, Luigi D’Errico is a leading expert in intercultural marketing. He organizes B2B and B2C events, fosters partnerships, and provides export consulting for Italian producers. A multilingual professional, he represents The WineHunter’s excellence in some of the world’s most competitive markets.
Marco Facchini
WH Ambassador · China
With more than 13 years of experience exporting Italian wines to China, Marco Facchini facilitates market entry for Italian SMEs. Through China-Link, he collaborates with Interwine China and the Italian Chamber of Commerce, offering full support for logistics, marketing, and promotion. His expertise strengthens ties between Italy and China.
Marco Perini
WH Ambassador · UK
Born in Senigallia, Italy, Marco Perini has been active in the wine industry since 2011, working with leading retailers and distributors in both Italy and the UK. Passionate about art and culture, he views wine as a journey of discovery, an opportunity to connect people, places, and stories through authentic experiences.
Massimo Goruppi
WH Ambassador · Bulgaria & Balkans
With over 40 years of experience in import-export, Massimo Goruppi represents wineries from Bulgaria and other Balkan countries, helping expand the presence of Italian wines in Eastern Europe.
Michael Šetka
WH Ambassador · Czech Republic
Founder and director of W-D.cz, Michal Šetka has been active in the Czech wine market for years, focusing on promoting premium European wines. Based in Prague, he supports Italian producers in Central Europe, blending trade expertise with cultural exchange.
Niccolò Del Mastio
WH Ambassador · Hong Kong
Co-founder of China-Link, Niccolò Del Mastio is a young entrepreneur fluent in Mandarin with a degree in Oriental Languages. After two years in Shanghai working in the food & beverage import sector, he developed strong expertise in Chinese consumer behavior and logistics. He supports Italian SMEs entering the Chinese market with tailored export strategies and brand development.
Niccolo Lorimer
WH Ambassador · USA
Specialized in licensing, importing, and brand development, Niccolò Lorimer is a judge at the LA County Fair and ambassador for European producers. He strengthens trade relations between Europe and the U.S., promoting innovation and new trends in the international wine industry.
Olga Kochurova
WH Ambassador · Russia & CSI
WineHunter Ambassador for Russia and the CIS countries since 2023, she represents Italian companies across the region. She collaborates with importers of wines and food products, managing research, contracts, import, and distribution. She regularly takes part in trade fairs and wine festivals and contributes to Wine Weekly, a digital magazine widely read by professionals and importers in the area.
Petri Viglione
WH Ambassador · Finland
Founder of Winital Oy in 1993, Petri Viglione pioneered Italian wine distribution in Finland. He introduced iconic brands such as Gaja and Bellavista, and was honored by President Ciampi as Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana. Today, he continues to advocate for wine liberalization in Finland.
Rahul Akerkar
WH Ambassador · India
Renowned Indian chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur, Rahul Akerkar has been a pioneer in modern Indian cuisine and wine pairing. Founder of deGustibus Hospitality and Qualia Mumbai, he advocates for Italian and European wines in India’s emerging fine dining scene.
Ramon Addazi Gouveia
WH Ambassador · Southeast Asia
Founder and CEO of Magaras, a Singapore-based agency specializing in food, wine, and fashion across Southeast Asia. He supports Italian brands in developing visibility and partnerships through events and digital marketing, promoting Italian lifestyle and excellence in dynamic markets like Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Rashad Gurbanov
WH Ambassador · Azerbaigian e CSI
With over 15 years of experience in the wine and HoReCa sectors, Rashad Gurbanov connects Italy with Azerbaijan and the CIS region. CEO of an import-export company, he distributes Italian wines and promotes unique Azerbaijani products like pomegranate and quince-based wines.
Robert Maggi
WH Ambassador · UK
Half Italian and half Welsh, Robert Maggi is the founder of WinesnVines and organizer of the Cardiff Wine Festival. With over 15 years of international experience, he promotes Italian wines through educational tastings and events across the UK, collaborating with renowned producers and fostering cultural connections between Italy and the British wine scene.
Roberto Fazzina
WH Ambassador · Spain
Originally from Venice and based in Madrid, Roberto Fazzina has over 15 years’ experience in the Spanish wine trade. Formerly with one of Spain’s leading importers of Italian products, he now works as an independent consultant connecting Spanish and Italian wineries. Certified Sherry Educator and WSET Level 3.
Tamar Tchitchiboshvili
WH Ambassador · Georgia
Originally from Kakheti, the cradle of Georgia’s ancient amphora winemaking tradition. A sommelier and wine communication specialist, she collaborates with the Georgian embassies and the Georgian Wine Museum to promote her country’s wine culture. Based in Rome, she produces wine in Georgia and co-founded L’ANFORA, a company combining tradition and innovation in Georgian winemaking.
Toufic Bou Farah
WH Ambassador · Lebanon
Founder of Tire Bouchon SAL, Toufic Bou Farah has over 20 years in the wine trade, focusing on Italian imports. He also owns ImportExport, a fine wine bar fostering education and community in Lebanon’s growing wine culture.
Udo Siebert
WH Ambassador · Germany
Based in Berlin, Udo Siebert has promoted Italian wine since the 1990s. As wine event director, blogger, and educator, he organizes tastings and verticals of Italian wines. His knowledge of German consumers makes him a key figure in spreading The WineHunter’s mission in Germany.
Yukako Saito
WH Ambassador · Japan
Founder of JINOWA Consortium Italy and Co-founder of JIEN LLP Social Cooperative in Japan, Yukako Saito promotes the connection between wine, culture, and biodiversity. Lecturer in Gastronomy Tourism at Kyoto University of the Arts, she develops geo-gastronomic projects in Nagano, highlighting the harmony between wine, nature, and human heritage.
World of WineHunter
Commissione The WineHunter
Nella vastità del panorama enologico, Helmuth Köcher iniziò come cacciatore solitario, diventando il riconosciuto The WineHunter, simbolo e garante dell’eccellenza vinicola e non solo…
Ciò che era iniziato come una solitaria odissea alla ricerca dei prodotti perfetti si è evoluto in un movimento più ampio: The WineHunter ha raccolto intorno a sé le commissioni di degustazione, un’élite di esperti dedicati alla ricerca dell’eccellenza nel mondo enogastronomico.
Oggi queste commissioni, gestite da Helmuth Koecher, costituiscono il nucleo fondamentale di valutazione per il prestigioso WineHunter Award, sancendo ogni anno l’eccellenza e la personalità distintiva nel settore enogastronomico.
In questo viaggio, l’obiettivo rimane inalterato: l’eccellenza non è solo una destinazione, ma un cammino costante, excellence is an attitude!
Le commissioni di degustazione valutano migliaia di vini e prodotti gastronomici provenienti da tutta l’Italia e da tutto il Mondo, per selezionare quelli che al meglio rispecchiano la qualità che The WineHunter vuole comunicare, l’eccellenza e l’elitarietà.
The WineHunter Award non è solo un riconoscimento, ma una garanzia di qualità per operatori, appassionati e wine lovers.
The WineHunter Scouts
Curious about who champions the flavors of your favorite wines? Dive into the background and members of each commission by clicking the links below. Raise a glass to discovery!
President and founder of Merano WineFestival, sole shareholder of Gourmet’s International and The WineHunter.
Year 1959, Helmuth Koecher matures in a family whose roots are reinforced within the art of food and wine.
His grandmother grew up on a winery and dedicated herself to cooking in the service of noble families. His grandfather came from nothing other but a long lineage of weavers of fine material. Both convey to Helmuth the importance of quality of basic substance.
In one of his many journeys, Helmuth Koecher falls madly in love with Bordeaux, its wine and its vineyards. Back in Italy, he decides to dedicate body and soul to this soon-to-be greatest passion: the nectar of the gods.
In 1992 he puts himself at stake with the idea to organize an event where excellence embraces the world of elegance and creates an event never seen before in Italy. This is how the Merano WineFestival is born.
Helmuth Köcher evolved himself into the figure of The WineHunter who catches exquisite wines and culinary delicacies for passion and profession. The presentation of selected products at the events ensures that the figure of Helmuth is inextricably linked to the concept of quality.
He is invited to international congresses and tastings that allow him to broaden his knowledge and taste wines from all over the world. At the end of the 90s, his unbridled passion for every aspect of culinary production, leads him to the publication of four monothematic volumes: Grappa, Aceto, Olio and Formaggio.
Helmuth Köcher has always made it clear that the goal of this constant and tireless hunt is the discovery of excellence; that extra quality that distinguishes things and makes them unique over time.
Over the years, he has been led to pursue and express the best in different ways, starting from the selection of products that are displayed at the events of excellence, to continue with innovation and education. All of this to promote quality in all its forms because excellence is an attitude.
