By 
When most people trace their life’s path in straight lines, Manuela Lo Conte paints hers in sweeping curves, bold turns, and heartfelt pauses – all leading to her truest passion: wine, culture, and human connection.
Born and raised in a small town in southern Italy, Manuela’s early curiosity for language and philosophy led her to study Indology and Hindi at the Università degli Studi di Napoli “L’Orientale.” At 23, with an adventurous spirit and a romanticized image of India shaped by years of study, she landed in Delhi – eager for meditation, peace, and namaste. What she found was a nation pulsating with energy, noise, color, resilience and possibility.
That first taste of India – raw, vibrant, overwhelming – didn’t deter her. Instead, it ignited a lifelong journey of growth, reinvention, and cross-cultural exploration.
From Language Teacher to Cultural Connector
Manuela’s early career in India began in 2009 in Mumbai, teaching Italian to Indian students curious about her homeland’s language and culture. From the bustling streets of hostels and roadside food stalls to elegant cafes and upscale design events, her experience mirrored India’s own rapid evolution. Over time, her work expanded beyond language to include luxury branding and cultural exchange, merging Italian finesse with Indian dynamism.
But like all great explorers, Manuela didn’t stay on a single path.
Rediscovering Passion Through Reinvention
A period of personal reflection led her back to her roots quite literally when she rediscovered the joy of baking she shared with her grandmother. She trained in pastry arts, worked in bakeries across India and Europe, and learned firsthand the artistry of food. Yet even as she baked breads and pastries with love, another enduring passion quietly waited in the wings – wine.
Wine had always been part of her life in Italy: the centerpiece of meals, celebrations, stories, and friendships. So, at a time when many would seek comfort, Manuela asked herself a powerful question: What do I truly love? The answer was wine – not just as a drink but as a vessel of culture, emotion, and human communion.
Crafting Her Wine Legacy
Manuela pursued professional wine education with dedication, completing WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) courses to Level 3 in India and advancing into diploma-level studies abroad – a rigorous path few take. Along the way, she worked with wineries in Italy and Cyprus, joined an importer in Delhi, and began hosting curated tastings and wine dinners that became admired for blending storytelling with sensory discovery.
In every city she’s lived – from Delhi to Amsterdam to Bengaluru – Manuela’s passion for wine took her deeper into the heartbeat of local and global viticulture. Whether exploring vineyards, visiting wine bars, or engaging with wine growers, her life became a journey through taste, terroir and tradition.
Ambassador of an Emerging Wine Nation
Since March 2025, Bengaluru (Bangalore) has been her home and creative base. Manuela now serves as Brand Ambassador and Export Manager for Grover Zampa Vineyards, India’s pioneering wine producer and one of the nation’s most respected names in viticulture.
Grover Zampa has shaped India’s wine history – producing iconic wines like La Réserve, cultivating international-quality grapes in Indian soil, and championing innovation in a market once dominated by spirits and beer.
In her leadership role, Manuela helps share the story of Indian wine with the world. She builds global relationships, expands export opportunities, and communicates the artistry behind each bottle – helping India’s wine narrative transcend borders.
Why Manuela Inspires Us All
Manuela’s journey is a testament to courage, resilience, and reinvention:
Her story encourages us to embrace uncertainty, follow our curiosities, and find joy not just in success — but in the process of becoming.
Looking to the Future
Manuela isn’t done yet. She continues her wine diploma, curates unforgettable wine experiences, and delights in sharing stories over a glass with friends, aficionados, and fellow learners.
Wine, she says, is more than a drink — it’s emotion in motion, history in a glass, and a celebration of what it means to be alive together.
Manuela can be contacted on Linkedin. Or at manuelaloconte@gmail.com.
Comments