Romano Brands Fine Wines & Famiglia Imports USA
Romano Brands Fine Wines is an import company and New York wholesale purveyor of premium wines from around the world.
Owner and President Michael Romano has been involved in the wine industry in various capacities – private and commercial wine maker, restaurateur, and sales director for major California wineries.
His passion for wine developed in his early years, deepened by his Italian heritage, growing up enjoying wine at the family dinner table. He began his career in the wine industry in 1975 as owner of Slagger’s Café, a popular, full service wine and cheese restaurant in St. James, New York.
Michael Romano received certification by the Sommelier Society in 1989 and continues to build his knowledge of wines by traveling throughout the world to discover the endless depths of information pertaining to wine and wine-producing nations.
Michael Romano developed his passion for dry Rosé wine as early as the 1960’s. Though dry Rosés were difficult to find in the US through the following two decades, he persisted and followed his passion to the best area in the world for his dry Rosé – Provence, France. While visiting Cannes and Nice France he vividly noted both visitors and locals exclusively enjoying dry Rosé wine in all kinds of settings and situations. A popular brand from the sun drenched town of Saint Tropez, caught Michael’s eye (and palate) and he began importing it to the US. He introduced this popular Cotes de Provence brand of Rose’ in Long Island’s popular “Hampton’s” region in the early 1990s which catapulted the entire category of Rosé to the fore-front of the wine industry.
Successfully sparking a resurgence of Rosé sales in the United States, Michael then developed his own brand of ultra-premium Rosé from a pure water, underground spring-fed, old-vine vineyard in Provence France, named Maison Belle Claire Rosé in homage to his beloved wife. Romano Brands has since sold this successful brand and has decided to move on to Rosé wines from Italy where Romano’s roots hail.
Michael Romano continues to travel the world studying wine while representing various national and imported brands. In April of 1998, Michael branched into his own development of importing and wholesaling his own line of wines to retailers and restaurants throughout New York.
Our newest addition to Romano Brands is Mr. Lar Leicht!
The newest member of the team, wine industry veteran Lars Leicht, brings three decades of experience in import, sales, public and trade relations as well as wine education. In particular, his specialization in luxury wines adds a new dimension to Famiglia Imports with the development of our Artisan Wine Selections team.
Some of the Italian brands selected by Lars include Cerulli Spinozzi, Corte Quaiara, I Saltari, KIN Erbaluce, Canastrari, Bocchino, Le Vigne San Pietro and Montalbano Bio.
There will be more to follow so please stay tuned!
In 1999 we developed Famiglia Imports USA which imports wines from Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal. The everyday operations and the product logistics of Famiglia Imports USA are overseen by Managing Director – Clare Romano.
Please call us with any inquires call (646) 948-1100
romanobrands.com 