BIOGRAPHY - Ottavio Ruggieri



Ottavio Ruggieri was born in Sicily, Italy and is fluent in Italian, English, Spanish, and German.

Ottavio is a graduate in the University of Catania, from which he earned a Masters degree in Political Science and International Economy, and in (1994), Ottavio earned a degree in piano education from the Conservatory of Messina in Italy.

Ottavio's versatile education background served as a natural career entrée into his civic role and responsibilities at the IMES institute where he specialized in research and development of historic economic trends for the state government of Italy. In 2000, Ottavio began his career in the wine industry as National Sales Director- Europe of Cantina Tinazzi, a company recognized as one of the most prestigious wine producers in the world and headquartered in Verona, Italy.

In 2003, he reorganized Terranova Imports as a U.S.-based wine import company through well researched and innovative strategic practices that he continues to implement today. Establishing Terranova Import's place in the wine industry as one of the world's top leaders, is one of Ottavio's most proudest and successful business achievements. Today, the company's products are widely distributed by the finest and most prominent restaurants and wine distributors located in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and throughout the United States.

Ruggieri is an admirer of art. He lists among his favorites, Salvador Dali and Diego Rivera. When asked about lesser known artists, he is quick to sing the praises of artists like Santo Marino and Cannata.

Ruggieri believes in excellence in every sense of the word. He elaborates, "...If someone asks me what excellence means to me, it is best exemplified in the act of doing something simple in an extraordinary way."