Biagio Cru



	Since its 1998 start, family-owned Biagio Cru Imports has grown from a dream into a vital wine industry competitor. Brothers Vincent & Louis Restivo with their sons Ben & Darren Restivo formed the company and direct operations with this mission: To deliver quality affordable wines in superior packages at great prices. "We love wine and believe in family. We look for like-minded, quality wine producers around the world with strong family identities," says Dr. Vincent Restivo, originator of the Biagio Cru concept. Dr. Restivo, a man of many interests and former medical school dean. His brother Louis adds, "As it’s named for our father, Biagio, the business is a very personal statement. His small baking company 'Restivo Brothers' grew into New York’s premier Italian bread supplier." Prior to its sale, Louis managed and expanded the family bread business for two decades of amazing growth. Restivo Brothers innovated the unbaked, pre-formed, frozen bread goods that are now the industry standard. "Building a global portfolio is very exciting. Success means being profitable, but also means being considered among the best suppliers of affordable wines," observes Darren (Louis’s son) insightfully. "Our growing stable of producers and wines have to compliment each other and the Biagio Cru vision, and we’ve been lucky to find such great partners in so many places," adds this former psychologist. To work on portfolio development, brand identity, and producer relations, the Restivos recruited Mark Mazur. Tasting Director for Wine Enthusiast Magazine from 1999 through 2001, Mark has an experienced palate and a unique global wine perspective, having written thousands of reviews and many feature articles. Mark received a solid foundation in wine during his 10-years in retail, mostly at Scarsdale, NY’s renowned Zachys Wine & Liquors. "Our growth has been a learning process," says Vincent’s son Ben, a former banker and money manager. "Lacking wine business experience or hard notions about marketing has been helpful. Sharp observers, we study what has worked before, then model our own strategies. Biagio Cru is in high gear, with the New York launch and a growing US market presence, now in 43 states. The portfolio now includes wines from many regions of Italy, Spain and Argentina.