Art Ciocca, Founder Of The Wine Group, Passes Away At Age 84

Arthur “Art” Ciocca, founder of The Wine Group, has passed away at 84 years of age.

Ciocca formed The Wine Group in 1981 when he and his associates purchased the wine assets of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York, then a minor player in the wine industry. He subsequently served as The Wine Group’s CEO for 26 years. The company now ranks as the second-largest wine marketer in the U.S. with 2020 volume of 42 million 9-liter cases, according to Impact Databank. Globally, the group ranks third among all wine marketers with volume of 51 million cases.

“Art Ciocca is the heart and soul of this company,” said Cate Hardy, current CEO of The Wine Group. “He built its foundation, and his legacy lives on in the entrepreneurial spirit, passion, and determination of everyone in this organization. Art’s vision will continue to inspire us for generations to come.”

After graduating from Holy Cross in 1959 and serving in the U.S. Navy, Ciocca embarked on a career that included time with General Foods, E.&J. Gallo, and the wine division of Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York. His time with Coca-Cola Bottling Company culminated in the formation of The Wine Group after he and associates purchased its wine assets.

Over the years, The Wine Group’s portfolio has grown to include brands such as Franzia, Cupcake, Chloe, Benziger, Almaden, Imagery, Tribute, Beringer, 7 Deadly Zins, Corbett Canyon, and Concannon Vineyards. Franzia is the largest wine brand globally, according to Impact Databank, at 27 million cases in 2020.

Ciocca is survived by his wife Carlyse, with whom he developed numerous philanthropic foundations, including the education-focused Ciocca Foundation, the Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University, and the Carlyse and Arthur A. Ciocca Center for Business, Ethics and Society at Arthur’s alma mater, the College of the Holy Cross.—Daniel Marsteller

Tagged : Art Ciocca, Cupcake, Franzia, The Wine Group

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