Miriam Zouzounis: Terra Sancta Trading Company
Jacksonville, FL
Miriam Zouzounis is a Partner in Terra Sancta Trading Company, a U.S.-based importer of Wine, Beer, and Spirits from Palestine, Lebanon, and the greater South West Asia and North Africa regions.
Miriam is deeply involved in small business communities and grew up behind the counter at her family’s corner market. WSET II certified, and a life-long student of history, it is her passion to share ancient world wine and spirit cultures and build a community within the industry.
Miriam has a hand in some of our 2024 portfolio highlights working a Lebanon harvest alongside Laila, Palestinian-American natural winemaker whose acclaimed “Love Letter” vintages are a testament to her roots, and Heya Wines, a woman led co-ferment project.
Environmental and Social Justice Statement
Terra Sancta Trading Company is founded and operated by Palestinians in the diaspora. Our company tenants are; Indigenous Grape Varietals, Traditional Production Methods, Culture and History, and Connection to the Land. The Vision of Terra Sancta Trading Company is to share the revival of ancient wine, beer and spirit making traditions with the U.S. Market. This by way of a diverse, unique and quality-focused supply of products originating from the cradle of wine civilization (Levant to Armenia).
Terra Sancta Trading Company represents an integrated network; we work directly with our producers in production, marketing, and import/export compliance. Our producers are diverse including women, refugees and family wineries. They are all small production, and range from classically produced to low intervention to zero sulfur additive, naturally fermented wines.
Our 2024 portfolios are climate adaptive projects from finely crafted wines made from bush vines of Southwest Bethlehem to the high altitude trailblazing vineyards of the Lebanese highlands. Dry farming is in response to restricted water rights as well as environmental needs.
Our producers source from cooperatives and family plots, some, fighting for access to their own vineyards. We recognize that the Wine and the Global Alcohol Industry have been historical forces for land dispossession and labor exploitation. We pay homage to the Agricultural workers and viticultural caretakers who employ ancestral sustainability practices and we aim to uplift the ancient wine regions of Artsakh and Gaza, knowing the people will cultivate their land again. Our products are a reflection of this sacred stewardship, and we are honored to share them with the world.