Alfonso Cevola is a third generation Italian American. He was born in a vineyard in California, raised in and around his grandfather’s vineyard, where he had first exposure to the grape and the vine. Living in Italy as a youth gave Alfonso the opportunity to work in his Italian relative’s vineyards in the summer and during selected harvests.

Making the move to Texas in 1978, Alfonso made wine in the early 1980’s in North Texas where he was a Gold Medal-winning winemaker in the Texas Wine Competition in 1982. By then, he had already traveled extensively in Italy and the other wine producing regions of the world, including France, Germany, Portugal, South America, California, Oregon, Washington, Texas & New Zealand.

Alfonso conducts educational training sessions for the wine trade throughout the Southwest and lectures on his current area of research, “Italian wine, Ancient and Modern”, in the United States and Italy.

Currently employed by the Glazers Family of Companies, based in Texas, as the Italian Wine Director. He is the “ambassador” who translates the Italian experience (and its importance) and helps define, communicate and reinforce the Italian wine message, both inside the company and in the community.

Alfonso is a Certified Specialist in Wine and a Special Contributor to the Dallas Morning News and Sommelier Journal.

He is responsible for two wine blogs, The Blend , (  www.TheBlendBlog.com  ), a wine and spirits blog for the industry and enthusiasts,  and

 On the Wine Trail in Italy  ( www.alfonsocevola.com/ ), a widely read Italian wine blog, which was an American Wine Blog Awards Finalist in two categories, Best Wine Writing and Best Graphics.

He received the Nickel & Nickel Fellowship for wine writing at the 2008 Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood Napa Valley.

Wine judging credits include The Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, the Lodi International Wine Awards, and the Lone Star Wine Competition.

Alfonso participates in seminars and panels for the Italian Trade Commission, the Texas Sommelier Conference , Society of Wine Educators and Vinitaly.

In recognition of noteworthy support of the wines of Italy in America the Italian Trade Commission honored Alfonso with the Distinguished Service Award for a longtime commitment and contribution to the Italian wine industry in 2009.

Alfonso has been involved in the selling, educating and advancing the cause of Italian wines since 1978 and has worked for wine legend Tony La Barba of American Wine in Texas and Glazers Wholesale Distributors, representing many of the great wine estates of Italy and beyond.