Our Story
Did you know that less than 1% of wines make it to US retailers' shelves?
Vero, which means real in Italian, is all about opening up the category of small production, sustainably made, authentic wines, olive oils and foods from around the world. We curate them ourselves from farmer-artisans not yet present in the US market, and we sell them to business and consumers across the US. In doing so, we create a community of small producers, businesses, and wine and food lovers where passion is the common denominator.
Vero Team
Sheila Donohue
Founder, CEO, and Sommelier
I'm a New Yorker living in Italy for 20 years. After becoming a sommelier and getting to know hundreds of smaller producers with great tasting authentic products, but mainly unknown around the US, I decided to start 'spreading the love' by bringing these hidden gems from anywhere in the world direct to people who want to explore and experience more out of wine, food and life.
Hear Sheila Donohue reflect on her transition from a full time job in Fintech to following her entrepreneurial passion in food and wine as she founded a startup bringing farmer-artisans of small production wines and foods just a click away from US wine lovers and foodies.
Helen Gallo Bryan
Vero Ambassador - New England
I’m a native Bostonian who is a passionate wine professional with broad experience in sales leadership and development roles at leading wine and spirits companies, especially super-premium and luxury wines. I’m constantly working to expand my knowledge of all facets of the wine industry, especially when it comes to regenerative farming, sustainable agriculture and the natural wine movement, and helping to educate and ‘spread the love’ of wines made by these techniques.
Burley Tuggle
Vero Ambassador - New Jersey
I’m from Atlanta originally and have been living in the NY/NJ metro area for more than 25 years, which is where I cultivated a passion for wine as an extension of my love for gourmet food. I have studied every aspect of wine at top culinary schools and at prestigious wine institutions, such as the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (Level 2 & 3 certifications). I am also the sole proprietor of the Divino Tasting Room, Eatery and Lounge in downtown Newark, NJ, and I'm involved in several business initiatives that focus on demystifying traditional wine culture and making it accessible, including my collaboration with Vero as an Ambassador.
Margie Dilivio - @TheTipsySomm
Vero Ambassador - California
Currently living is Los Angeles, I’m a professional dancer turned sommelier! Not something you hear often, but during the pandemic I decided to refocus my energy into receiving my WSET Level 3 diploma. Although dance will forever be apart of me, my interest in wine has sparked a new excitement. As a second generation Italian, my passion for Italian wines has connected me to my heritage in ways that fill my soul. I’m looking forward to furthering my career in wine and meeting people that share my same love and interest.
In the #VeroCommunity and Loving It!
Vero Producers
Antonella Manuli started La Maliosa Farm & Winery in Maremma Tuscany to bring back old traditions that were being lost for making natural wine and organic extra virgin olive oil. Along with Lorenzo Corino of Case Corini, Antonella established the Metodo Corino, a patented set of procedures for regenerative farming and creating biodynamic wine with a 00 approach, meaning nothing added except grapes.
After retiring as a school teacher, Hilde Petrussa took over Vigna Petrussa from her mother in the vineyard and the cellar. She, along with her daughter Francesca, make gorgeous wines with a personal touch in the north east italian region, Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Davide Castagnoli and Vincenzo Vernocchi took over Braschi estate winery, keeping to long-standing wine making traditions of Romagna, just north of Tuscany.
Vero Food & Wine Explorers
As a VeroCommunity we embrace adventure and new experiences and flavors! Our events spread the love for all things genuine from coast to coast & country to country.
Browse through our past experiences and keep an eye out for our upcoming events and join us!
Chris and Vanessa at the LA Westside Food & Wine Festival are trying different types of wines they never had before.
Heidi and Mr. Kevin are taking a break from an afternoon wine tasting
in Sonoma wine county.
Join the Vero Business Community
We provide services to both businesses and consumers who appreciate craft wines and foods and the value that gets created in providing memorable experiences.
Vero Corporate Clients
We believe in authenticity and passion and working with businesses, whether big or small, who share the same values as us and seek highly curated wines, foods and experiences that they can offer their own clients - such as for gifting or parties.
Marco and Giulia manage high-end interior design shops and seek sparklers that you can’t find anywhere else for special client occasions.
Arleen is a real estate agent who loves to entertain; she called on VeroVino to organize a sommelier-guided wine tasting for her clients.
Vero Shops & Restaurants
When Sahar is not out-and-about wine judging, she is scouring for wines which are great tasting but also a bit unique for her wine enthusiast clientele.
Brendan has a new wine shop in Brooklyn and is looking for out-of-the-ordinary, small production wines that you can’t find anywhere else.
Vero Distributors and Sales People
Vero is casting its net over all of the US and is seeking distributors in most states.
Wine and food lovers sharing our passion who are interested in selling our products.
Testimonials
“Feedback from my sister is that the wines they have tasted so far was really good!!! … this was not the average wine in stores.” - Lene Steinum
“Love this company they did a fantastic presentation to my clients for work on boutique wines and olive oils in Italy!” - Kim Beluzo
“I love the wines offered at Vero and that you are committed to small producers of integrity.” - Instagram follower
Vero is more than special wines; it’s the stories and so much more.
“I’m fortunate to have met [Vero Founder] Sheila. I love the wines she is ambitiously importing, and I say that because it’s very difficult to do what she’s doing… Sheila brings us these beautiful wines. And if it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t get to meet [the producers] and get to know these wines. So, thank you, Sheila, these are very special wines.”
“I met Sheila Donohue at Vinitaly’s Italian Wine Ambassador course, learned she’s importing wine from Italy with a business based out of my town of Ventura, AND she had a few BIODYNAMIC wines made by a woman making it perfect for Women’s History Month, I was sure once again I was set.”
“Very educational. I enjoy feeling smart when I drink wine; all the information helps me learn what I like about the wine.”
“The guests at the resort are enjoying your wine tremendously.”
Join our #VeroCommunity
From our producers to clients, the VeroCommunity is all about connecting people and their passions for delicious, farm-to-glass food and wine:
Follow us on social media @verovinogusto.
