The Proust Q&A: Lorenzo Zonin

Hailing from a long line of Italian winemakers, Lorenzo Zonin is the owner and winemaker at Podere San Cristoforo in Tuscany. He also finds time to be the Wine Ambassador for his family company, Zonin 1821, which boasts wineries across Italy, from Castello d’Albola in Chianti to Masseria Altemura in Puglia. With his Spanish wine writer wife Meritxell and their baby daughter Vita, Zonin splits his time between Zonin’s HQ in Vicenza and his Tuscan estate.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being in harmony both with myself and my environment.

What is your greatest fear?

Not being able to move.

Which living person do you most admire?

It’s a toss up between my father and Argentine football player Lionel Messi.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Cooking naked!

What is your current state of mind?

Positive and calm.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Simplicity.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?

Life – I’m surrounded by love, family, friends and now my baby daughter Vita.

When and where were you happiest?

I can’t pinpoint one specific moment. I think happiness comes from the small things in life, as well as in reaching my goals.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

I’m quite lucky really as I wouldn’t want to change anything.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Agility.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Being a father.

Where would you most like to live?

I’m drawn to the ocean, so where I live in Maremma in Tuscany is a perfect spot.

What is your most treasured possession?

My vineyards, but I’m not so attached to material things, they have value for their use.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Self control and determination.

Who is your favourite writer?

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Antony de Mello and Paulo Coelho.

Who is your hero in fiction?

Batman.

What is it that you most dislike?

Envy and laziness.

What is your greatest regret? 

Everything I would have changed about my past would have changed who I am now, so I have no regrets.

What is your motto?

No limiting beliefs and an attitude of gratitude – every small step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger.

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests and what three wines would you serve?

It would be an eclectic ensemble of the Dalai Lama, Barack Obama, Bono and Neymar. I’d start with Jacques Selosse Substance, then move to Domaine de la Cote “La Cote”Pinot Noir 2011, and would end on a high with Le Pin 1982.