VINITALY TO RING CLOSING BELL at the NASDAQ Stock Exchange in SUPPORT of the American Cancer Society on January 24th by Philip S. Kampe

GIOVANNI MANTOVANI, CEO of VERONAFIERE, organizers of VINITALY and Vinitaly World Tour ( http://www.vinitalytour.com/ ) will ring the Closing Bell (4pm EST) on Monday, January 24th at the NASDAQ Stock Headquarters in New York City.

Mr. Giovanni Mantovani will ring the closing bell together with executives from the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY and two of the leading Italian women in wine; MARILLISA ALLEGRINI from Allegrini Wines ( http://www.allegrini.it/ ) and CRISTINA MARIANI-MAY, CEO of Banfi Vintners ( http://www.banfivintners.com/ ).

" We are thrilled at this exciting opportunity to be part of the closing ceremony. The United States is the most important market for Italian wine and we want to underscore our committment to the American wine drinkling public" said Mr. Mantovani, along with his Senior Advisor, Ms. STEVIE KIM.

Italian wine is Ranked as the number one imported wine in America. Controlling a whopping 32.5% of the imported wine market in America, Italian wines have a price/quality ratio that hits Americas' sweet spot at a time when wines from other countries often struggle with price point and supply issues.

The ringing of the Closing Bell will be held in conjunction the American Cancer Society. Vinitaly is hosting a wine tasting with wines from Allegrini and Banfi to benefit the organization. This is the second event Vinitaly has held with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. Total proceeds for the two events will exceed $40,000.

Tickets for a Consumer American Cancer Society Fundraiser featuring wines from Allegrini and Banfi, from 6-8pm on 24 January, can be purchased at: www.gala.acsevents.org/vinitaly . The event will be held at Hope Lodge, located at 132 West 32nd.
Tickets will not be sold at the door.

These events are also part of VINO 2011, known as Italian Wine Week in New York. Events take place from 23-27 January and are organized by the Italian Trade Commission.

PHILIP S. KAMPE