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Kennesaw Sister Cities Commission advances Montepulciano partnership with commemorative wine and proposed student exchange
Summary
City staff reported progress on a collaboration with Montepulciano that includes a commemorative wine featuring a KSU‑student-designed label, outreach to local restaurants on April 22, a proposed multi‑year student exchange coordinated by Commissioner Elizabeth Jamison, and other cultural projects.
The Kennesaw Sister Cities Commission on April 14 heard a staff report on expanding cultural and educational ties with Montepulciano, Italy, including plans for a commemorative wine, a proposed multi‑year student exchange and community publications.
Staff liaison Anna Trapp said City staff and Ken Hill of Kennesaw State University met with Lynda Allison of Cellar Selections, the local distributor for Cantina Crociani, to discuss a commemorative wine that would bear a label designed by KSU students. Trapp said distributor representative Steve Arnold and the City’s Economic Development Business Recruitment and Retention Manager, Tanyel Aviles, will meet with several local restaurants and businesses on April 22 to determine interest in carrying the wine. If retailers pick it up, the city may promote the wine at events including First Fridays, the Farmers Market, the Kennesaw Concert Series, Pigs and Peaches and Taste of Kennesaw.
Commissioner Elizabeth Jamison proposed a multi‑year cultural exchange that would pair North Cobb Magnet students with high school students in Montepulciano. Jamison said she will serve as coordinator and proposed structuring the exchange as a community‑service project spanning 9th through 12th grade. Launch is contingent on confirmation of interest from Montepulciano; if confirmed, Jamison plans to introduce the program at the Magnet Program kickoff with parents in May 2026 and provide additional details over the summer, with a possible program start in Fall 2026.
Commissioner Michael Ota suggested producing a collaborative cookbook to highlight recipes, stories and artwork from both communities; Trapp noted KSU students could assist with design and printing to add an educational component. Trapp also said she will establish a SharePoint site for commissioners to share documents and track progress on the initiatives.
Next steps: Trapp will contact officials in Montepulciano to gauge interest; city staff and the distributor will hold outreach meetings on April 22 to evaluate retail availability. The commission did not take formal votes on these program proposals at the meeting.
