Ernesto, Conte Panza

A fine rifle shooter, Ernesto Panza participated in the 1924 Paris Olympics and in four World Championships between 1908 and 1927, and won five medals, including three gold. Panza was better known, however, as a famous winemaker. He moved to Milano at the age of 17 and founded the firm A. Panza and sons, which, in a short time, rose to prominence within the wine industry. While keeping the administrative headquarters in Milano, Panza created new factories in Reggio Emilia, Squinzano, and S. Salvatore Monferrato, his birthplace, where he was mayor for 10 years and promoted construction and urban redevelopment. His interest in the wine business went beyond the production side and he showed an interest in the economic problems of this industry. Among other innovations, he was responsible for transporting of wine in vertical drums and with cement tank wagons.

Panza was one of the founders of the Italian Wines Union and was also the creator and promoter of Italian wine legislation. He also helped promote farming at various estates and in particular was responsible for testing and promoting the quality of English-breed cattle. Panza was appointed Cavaliere del Lavoro (Knight of Labour) in 1934.