Meet Ciro
Ciro Pirone, Director of Italian Wines for Horizon Beverage, is a graduate of the Istituto Alberghiero (Hotel and Restaurant Management School) of Salerno, Italy. Traveling and working in Italy, England, and the United States, Ciro developed an incredible passion for wine, food, and culture. After all, growing up in Italy, wine was always a very important part of his family’s lifestyle and traditions.
Ciro moved to the US permanently in 1999 landing in Boston where he continued his wine studies at Boston University, the International Sommelier Guild and the London–based Wine & Spirits Educational Trust (WSET). In 2007, Ciro accepted the position of Italian Wine Specialist for Horizon Beverage. After successful growth at Horizon, Ciro went onto a new challenge as the US Brand Manager for the Arnaldo Caprai Winery of Montefalco (Umbria), the top producer of worldwide recognized Sagrantino di Montefalco.
In June 2011, Ciro returned to Horizon Beverage as Director of Italian Wines to support their expanding presence in the New England marketplace. Ciro is happy to share his passion for Italian wine and culture in an effort to give the American wine consumer a better understanding and appreciation for Italian wine!
Most recently, in June 2017, Ciro attended Vinitaly International Academy's (VIA) first ever Certification Course in the USA at Astor Center, in the heart of New York City. After a week of training followed by a final exam held on June 30th, VIA welcomed Ciro as one of 13 new Italian Wine Ambassadors (IWAs).
In case you were wondering, Ciro's favorite wine gadget is a waiter's corkscrew.