Meet the Founders
“Some dreams are meant to be anchored in the sea.”
Mare Santo was born from a bold vision — one that merges innovation, heritage, and the mysteries of the deep sea.
At the helm of this unique idea stands Igor Tomažič, a distinguished Slovenian winemaker who, with his passion for perfection and deep respect for nature, created something truly original.
He drew inspiration from old Slovenian traditions, time-tested techniques, and the wisdom of natural cycles.
In collaboration with Ivo Boscarol, a world-renowned entrepreneur and aviation pioneer, a project emerged that transcends the ordinary: a sparkling wine aged beneath the waves of the Adriatic Sea.
There, where time slows, pressure intensifies, and nature takes the lead, a unique story of flavor is born.
Ivo Boscarol
Mr. Ivo Boscarol is a pilot, flight instructor and test pilot, 5 times national champion, pioneer of electric aviation and mostly known as the founder and co-owner of the Pipistrel Group companies, designing and producing the most advanced light aircraft in the world, with branches in Slovenia, Italy and China.
Pipistrel aircraft won the World Champion title, accomplished several flights around the world and 16 world records.
As the first private aircraft producer in the Balkans area, he has been contributing to the aviation standards for Microlight class on the global scale since the early eighties.
Boscarol is a highly recognised entrepreneur in Slovenia.
He received Readers’ Digest award for the “most trusted businessman” in Slovenia 9 years in a row.
The University of Nova Gorica awarded him with Golden Order and the title of Doctor Honoris Causa for his outstanding scientific and professional achievements.
The Manager Association awarded him a lifetime achievement award, the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce awarded him a recognition for exceptional economic and entrepreneurial achievements, and the “Spring Wind” award for promoting the entrepreneurial environment in Slovenia.
The Finance newspaper awarded him an award for exceptional achievements in the economy, AmCham Slovenia awarded him the title of “Business Leader”, the Slovenian Post dedicated a commemorative stamp to him, and the Delo newspaper chose him as the Personality of the Year.
His work and achievements are also recognized abroad.
Politico magazine listed him among Top 28 most influential people in the European Union, and Bloomberg Adria among the 50 most influential individuals in the region.
The New Europe organization ranked him among the top 100 innovators in Europe.
The Republic of Italy decorated him with the Order of the Italian Star, and the USA Kiddie Hawk Academy awarded him the title of “Living Legend of Aviation.”
He was awarded with the highest FAI award for the contribution to aviation, and the Experimental Aircraft Association of the United States (EAA) awarded him the “August Raspet Award” for his outstanding contribution to the development of aviation.
Under his leadership, Pipistrel received numerous awards, recognitions and distinctions, such as the European Business Award for the most innovative company in the EU in 2010 and three consecutive victories in the NASA Challenge competitions, as well as the highest national civilian decoration, the “Golden Order” of the President of the Republic of Slovenia.
Boscarol dedicates a great part of his life to making aviation affordable and environment-friendly.
For more than 30 years, Pipistrel has been the producer of the world’s most energy-efficient light aircraft and one of the pioneers of electric propulsion.
Ivo, as the aircraft concept designer, and his team designed more than a dozen aircraft — among them the world’s first fully electric 2-seat aircraft, the Taurus Electro in 2007.
In 2011, they produced the Taurus G4, world’s first electric 4-seat aircraft, which then brought Pipistrel its third victory at the NASA Challenge.
In 2014, Pipistrel released the first serially produced electric trainer in the world, the Alpha Electro; in 2016, the company co-developed both the world’s first 4-seat hybrid propulsion aircraft and the first hydrogen fuel cells-powered aircraft.
With the world’s first ever type-certification of an electric, emission-free aircraft in 2020, Ivo Boscarol, as the owner of Pipistrel, achieved the third great milestone in aviation.
After the piston engine-powered aircraft was type-certified in the USA for passenger air transport in 1927, and jet engine aircraft in the UK in 1953, Ivo Boscarol opened the door for the commercial use of emission-free electric air transport by certifying the electric propulsion aircraft Velis Electro on 7 June 2020.
In 2022, Boscarol sold the major share of Pipistrel Group companies to USA corporation Textron, in which he continues his vision of emission-free aviation under his role as the President Emeritus of Pipistrel.
With the largest individual donation in the history of Slovenia — 30 million euros for various large social projects for the public good — in 2022 he also became the biggest and world-famous philanthropist from the world of aviation.
To manage the assets from the sale of his stake in Pipistrel, he founded the family company Boscarol d.o.o.
He invests directly or through the company in various high technologies, pharmaceuticals, the entertainment and sports industry, medicine, alternative food production, catering, winemaking, and various financial and real estate investments.
He manages most of the companies of the Boscarol group directly as a general manager or a co-manager.
With his knowledge and experience, he helps manage companies — start-ups in particular.
