MARIO ANDRETTI
Vice Chairman 

It has been said that wine is Mario Andretti’s second passion. He doesn’t actually remember the moment he fell in love with wine; it just happened over a period of time. It began while growing up in Italy where wine is a part of everyday life. But when he was 15 years old, his family immigrated to the United States. There was a dirt track near his home in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and his interest almost immediately was purely racing. And he raced for five decades, winning just about everything; the Indy 500, the Daytona 500, the Formula One World Championship and the Pikes Peak Hillclimb. He won the Champ Car National Championship four times and was a three-time winner at Sebring. He was the National Dirt Track Champion. He won races in sports cars, sprint cars and stock cars – on ovals, road courses, drag strips, on dirt and on pavement. In his quest for these various championships, he traveled the world. His travels to exotic places – combining great dining with fine wine – led to his ultimate appreciation of wine as one of life’s pleasures.

JOE E. ANTONINI
Chairman

Joseph E. Antonini is the former Chairman, President and CEO of Kmart Corporation, where he worked for over 30 years. At Kmart, Joe rose from his humble beginnings as a management trainee, at the then S.S. Kresge Company in 1964, to Chairman of the giant retail chain in 1987. He is credited with leading Kmart into a new era by launching store renewal programs of unparalleled scope in retail history. They included expansion of the retailer's specialty store concepts, along with introduction of the Kmart Super Center, both contributors to setting new sales and profit records. In the past, Joe has been awarded key positions that include Chairman of the National Retail Federation and the National Minority Supplier Development Council. He has also served on the Board of Directors of Polaroid Corporation, Chrysler Corporation, Shell Oil Company, Ziebart International, NBD Bank, Michigan Bell, Economic Club of Detroit, and as a Trustee for the National Italian American Foundation. He is also a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award. A native of West Virginia, Joe holds a Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia University. In 1992 he was recognized by the University as its most distinguished alumni.

BOB PEPI
Consulting Winemaker

Bob Pepi has been with Andretti Winery since its formation and was involved in the decision to purchase the property and its forty-two acre vineyard. Bob has many years of experience in the Napa Valley. He and his father started the Robert Pepi Family Winery in Oakville as a natural extension of fifteen years owning vineyards in the Napa Valley. There he developed a reputation for pioneering the Sangiovese grape and wine from that variety. Bob was also instrumental in developing the "two-hearted canopy" trellising system (also known as the Geneva double curtain). This system greatly improved the quality of Sauvignon Blanc wine grapes and is used throughout the industry today. Bob's philosophy is that great wines are made in the vineyards. As winemaker he gently guides their development through the fermentation and aging process until the wines are ready for release. Bob's wines are well recognized by their descriptive fruity character, complexity and balance.

FRANK J. MIRENDA
National Sales and Operational Manager 

Frank J. Mirenda was promoted to Director of Operations at Andretti Winery in 2004. Previous to his role leading Andretti Winery's National Sales and Operations, he was Director of Sales - Midwest. As the director of Midwest Sales, he was responsible for distributors in a 15-state area. At that point, Andretti Winery was selling 10,000+ cases per year; they are currently selling over 20,000+ under Frank's tutelage. A veteran of the wine industry for over 25 years, Frank has held regional positions with Rodney Strong Winery and Scheffelin - Somerset. He is very excited about the direction the winery is going and envisions a bright future.

Email Frank Mirenda
or call: 888.460.8463 (or) 877.386.5070 x 223