From Politics to Provence in a Bottle
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Montecito Resident Makes A Fresh Start Importing Unique Wines
rank Caterinicchio has a simple explanation for what, at first glance, seems like a surprising career shift from the bruising world of politics to the finer pursuit of great grapes. “Working with wine is more fun,” he says. The Southern California native, who recently became a full-time Montecito resident, spent more than four decades as a political consultant, promoting candidates and pushing ballot measures before he made the switch to wine importer, focusing on organic wines out of France’s beautiful Provence region. The change isn’t as big a disconnect as it may seem. In truth, Caterinicchio’s former life as a politico planted the seeds for his new one in wine. His job included frequent international travel, much of it to France, where, “I got swept up and became really familiar with the usuals – the Burgundies and the Bordeaux,” explains Caterinicchio. “And I found myself tasting with legends, like Armand Rousseau, Philippe Drouhin, and Noel Ramonet,” revered French producers all. About three years ago, his French travels took Caterinicchio to Provence, the storied region in the southeastern part of the country where charm and sex appeal collide in close proximity to the Italian border, the Alps, and the gleaming beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. Its lavender fields and olive groves are famous, but as a world-class, wine-growing region, Provence remains “a hidden gem.” Caterinicchio discovered that, “It’s actually producing some great wine and from very high-quality producers.” 96
by Gabe Saglie This is the southern Rhone Valley, so red grapes like syrah and grenache and whites like viognier and roussanne flourish here. It turns out it’s also on the leading edge of organic-wine growing, as well as a host of unique winemaking techniques. “I was tasting really incredible stuff,” recalls Caterinicchio, “and it occurred to me – I’d like to get these imported.” Provençal Collective is a career jump for Caterinicchio but, above all, a labor of love. The wine aficionado runs his new business out of the guesthouse on his Montecito property along Lingate Lane, with most of his inventory stored in a temperature-controlled facility in Goleta. His line of imports represents small, boutique producers and is largely comprised of bottles that are impossible to find anywhere else in the country. The current phase of his endeavor may be the most important, though: luring consumers in what is an increasingly competitive marketplace. “It’s tough,” Caterinicchio admits, “but once you get people to taste them, they love them, and they realize these wines are solid, especially for the price.” Most of Caterinicchio’s imports range between $25 and $50 a bottle. Caterinicchio’s had good luck hosting popFALL
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