About us!

Richard Chianese

Founder/Chief Executive Officer

Richard Chianese is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ilaria Imports. After a thirty-seven- year career in the Alcoholic Beverage Industry, he embarked on a journey to create an Import company dedicated to building brands.

Richard was raised in a big Italian Family; he is one of eight children! After attending High School at Mount Saint Michael in the Bronx, he found his way, thanks to a baseball scholarship, to Fordham University. Richard graduated from Fordham with a BS degree in accounting. After one year of public accounting, he settled into an accounting position with the Gordons Dry Gin company. For the following ten years, Richard worked behind the scenes, on the financial side of the industry. He then decided to try his hand at sales and marketing. He took a position with the Sazerac Company out of New Orleans, managing their business in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. After five good years with Sazerac, he joined the Bacardi company working on specialty brands. Soon thereafter an opportunity presented itself to leave Bacardi and join Pernod Ricard, managing their portfolio in New York and New Jersey. Richard did this for a solid ten years, before deciding to create an enterprise of his own making.

Kristine Savoye

Executive Assistant

Kris has been in the wine industry for over 35 years! The first 30 years in retail, managing a large liquor, wine and beer store. This supplied Kris with invaluable experience and knowledge into the wine industry, including logistics and organizational management. She furthered her education and appreciation of wine by attending the Harriet Lembeck Wine School, along with countless wine tastings and seminars. Kris strengthened her business and leadership skills while studying with Dale Carnegie. In 2018 she had the opportunity to move over to the Import/Wholesale side of the industry, a welcome change from the long days of retail! Kris enjoys meeting wine makers from around the world, handling scheduling/importing/accounting needs and using her experience and appreciation to help select wines for the Ilaria Imports portfolio.

Al Saura

Creative Director/Design & Marketing

Al grew up in an Italian wine-making family and continues this tradition in his home cantina. Being passionate about art at an early age led to a BA in graphic design and a creative career with diverse agencies in the New York advertising and design industry. Al created national/local campaigns for clients in entertainment, financial, pharmaceutical, food/beverage retail, and technology. He has worked with marketing teams to build brand awareness, supervise creative/ production departments and as creative group leader. In his work with Ilaria Imports, Al uses his expertise to guide marketing direction and creative execution for all brands. Al is an accomplished guitarist, fine art painter and owner of an ancestral Italian farmhouse. When not making wine, art, or playing guitar, Al’s leisure time is spent with his wife and fantastic family!

Caren Valente

Administrative Assistant

After an exciting career in the performing arts, Caren brings her administrative skills to Ilaria Imports. In between time spent on the stage and in the studio, Caren worked as an administrator in higher education and the nonprofit sector. Her work has supported arts education programs and productions and provided opportunities for arts appreciation. A taste for wine, love for family, and the excitement of a new adventure guides Caren in her work with Ilaria Imports.