Neal Rosenthal

Neal I. Rosenthal (born 1945) is an American author, entrepreneur, and wine merchant.

Early life

Neal I. Rosenthal was born in New York City in 1945 and was educated at Rutgers University (B.A.), Columbia University (J.D.),

Career

Neal I. Rosenthal is the founder of Rosenthal Wine Merchant (RWM) and The Mad Rose Group (MRG). Neal was joined shortly thereafter by Kerry Madigan, who later became his partner and wife. The two have spent decades working with those who share the RWM passion for terroir, collaborating with growers in France, Italy, Switzerland and Catalonia who produce limited quantities of the finest quality wines. MRG now includes Mad Rose Specialty Foods (importer, distributor and direct-to-consumer purveyor of Italian and French food specialties, including extra virgin olive oils), Mad Rose Journeys, curated and intimate travel experiences in France, Italy, and Switzerland inspired by Neal's deep connections to the people, sights, and tastes of these storied places; and La Closerie les Capucines, a 17th-century stone maison d’hôte in Arbois in the Jura region of France that welcomes travelers from around the world,

In 2006, Neal created The Mad Rose Foundation, a charitable organization that supports among other objectives public school education, literary organizations, free speech initiatives, and programs to protect the environment. Currently, the Foundation is underwriting a study abroad program in Benin in West Africa in collaboration with Rutgers University.

In 2012, Neal was nominated for an Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional Award by the James Beard Foundation Award.

In 2019, Neal was awarded honorary citizenship in the village of Carema in northwestern Piedmont in Italy in recognition of his efforts to promote the rare wines of that region.