Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Zordich.
Alex, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I come from a strong Italian family. I had the pleasure growing up with great memories of Italian food, traditions, and family. It always stuck with me ever since I was a little kid. I always enjoyed every second of Sunday dinners and the many holiday traditions throughout the year. I was always wanting to learn from my grandmothers and especially my grandfather. He gave me my biggest passion in wine. We would make wine with my grandfather in Pittsburgh every year. Since I was eight years old, I knew I wanted to work with wine. Something about it. The path to get there wasn’t so normal. Football was also a big part of my life. I wanted to ride it out as long as I could, but as soon as I was done, I knew what was next.
Once college ball was over, I didn’t waste any time chasing my passion for wine. While on a visit to Napa Valley some great people told me all about ‘chasing the harvest. I would later work for them. Before I knew it, I was in New Zealand in 2014 for the grape harvest. Shortly after that, I spent the summer in Italy working for various families and farms until I ended up in Napa Valley for the 2014 Harvest. I’m very grateful for the people I got to meet in Napa. I had the pleasure of working under Thomas Brown, Andy Jones, and Tim Beranek. I started out as an intern and worked my way into the team. I stayed with them for 2 more years until I got the itch to make it back to Italy and work a harvest there. My bosses in Cali were very helpful and helped me find a program in Italy that would allow me to work and also obtain my master’s in winemaking.
I lived in Italy for nearly 3.5 years. I have every intention to get back one way or the other. My passion for wine brought in a new passion, food. While studying or working I would find time to force my way into various jobs. I met some great chefs, bakers, and winemakers that taught me so many things. I will never forget how gracious they were.
I’ve always loved where I’m from in Youngstown, OH. I grew up with so many stories about my ancestors and the old Smoky Hollow neighborhood where my family settled. The stories always drew my attention and I always had a desire to experience those simple times. When I left Italy, I returned to Napa for another year and a half. I was able to start my own wine label and get a plan together for my future. I had a strong pull to get back to Youngstown and to share all that I’ve learned. I had an even stronger desire to do it right in Smoky Hollow.
It wasn’t an easy task, it took nearly two years to open, but I’ve enjoyed every second down here. It has been an amazing experience to share my wine, food, and the simple way of the Hollow with people.
Right now, I make it back to Napa each year during the harvest to make my wine, and we also have a wine from Italy in the region I used to work. We currently offer private dinners down the Hollow, served family style and coursed out like an authentic osteria. I am very excited about our new pizza shells that are available retail, with plans to grow them further. Our goal in Youngstown is to continue to renovate the space and eventually be open to the public. One step at time, but the pieces are slowly falling into place. I will be opening another space in Pittsburgh in the same town I made wine with my grandfather. We will serve some items from our Youngstown menu, primarily pizza.
I have a strong connection to the home in the Hollow. I’m very excited to continue to grow it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are always obstacles. Things take time. I’ve learned that it requires a lot of patience and a good ability to pivot. Starting a business isn’t easy. Lots of folks don’t know half of the stuff that goes into it. I’ve enjoyed learning as I go. Getting better with business decision, but also staying true to what brought me here in the first place. Fulfilling my purpose
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a traditional osteria specializing in wine and regional Italian food. We currently offer private dinners with hope to be open to the public soon.
Our food is from regions all over Italy and our wine is made with the old world in mind.
We make our own wine in California and have a label from Italy in the region I studied and worked.
We also have retail products that include our wine and frozen pizza shells.
The pizza is our biggest seller. It is a roman style dough with fresh Italian flavor.
My biggest passion is the wine. I look forward to growing it each year
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
It feels like years ago, but I used to play quarterback. We had a lot of fun in high school, was fortunate to win state with my buddies and go on and play D1 ball for Buffalo
Contact Info:
- Website: yosteria.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/yosteria_?igshid=NmZimzY2Mjc=
