Antica Bottega del Vino, the iconic Veronese wine venue owned by the Historic Amarone Families, opened its Ampezzo location last Dec. 30 ahead of the Winter Olympics. It is Bottega Vini and, no, it will not be a pop-up. Flavia Rendina tells us about it.
“If the mountain doesn’t go to the store, the store goes to the mountain. We are waiting for you in Cortina!”. They had announced it last Dec. 2 with this claim hidden in the menu of the official presentation, and they did: last Dec. 30, with a final rush in renovations, the branch of Verona’s most iconic wine venue was opened in the mountain town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the next venue of the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“Many people have asked us, but the answer is no: It will not be a pop-up for the Winter Olympics, but a long-term project.” emphasized Sabrina Tedeschi, president of Antica Bottega del Vino, owned by the group of Amarone Historical Families. “We invested in Cortina because we wanted to bring culture the wine to this cult vacation spot as well,.Added Pierangelo Tommasi, at the head of the association. Having ruled out the possibility of Milan, the choice fell on the “alpine living room of Italy, . A showcase considered more international and more representative of the group, taking over a space previously occupied by a furniture store, in the center of Cortina.
History of the Workshop
It was a bold investment, the potential of which the Historic Families of Amarone group, which was formed in 2009. Was able to seize on, once again making a cohesive and determined effort. Barely a year had passed since its formation, in fact, when in 2010 they had decided to buy the Antica Bottega del Vino, whose activities had suddenly ceased in July. Leaving an unbridgeable void on the Verona scene. “Even though we were newly born, we were immediately very much aligned in our idea of safeguarding what is first and foremost a place of culture for our area,” recounts Sabrina Tedeschi.
The restaurant, in fact, had existed since the 1500s and in 1890 had assumed its current name with the Sterzi Brothers, becoming a landmark for the late 19th-century cultural scene. In 1957 it had been purchased by the Rizzo-Grigolo family, until 1987 when it was taken over by. Severino Barzan and partner Giovanni Pascucci.
With the arrival of Historic Families, the venue had reopened quickly making a few improvements, then in 2014 came Luca Nicolis, who brought enthusiasm and creativity to the restaurant. “Luca is a volcanic professional who has been able to create a great team – tells Tedeschi -, with him the Bottega has grown exponentially over the years. It is because of this success and the esteemed relationship between us Historic Families and the Bottega family, which has now become almost the eleventh in the group, that we have decided to invest further together.”
The new Ampezzo venue
Three hundred square meters for about 100 total covers. Open seven days a week for three hundred and sixty-five days a year. These are the impressive numbers of Antica Bottega del Vino in Cortina. A large space on Corso Italia, designed by Menardi Ruggeri Nassivera Architects, which thought to involve only local artisans. Particularly for woodworking, recovering valuable antiques, including an Austrian Stube from the late 1800s and a bench from an old sacristy from the late 1700s. “It will not be another Bottega Vini, but it will be the Bottega Vini of Cortina. It will have the same charm, the same attention to quality, and the same character,” Luca Nicolis emphasizes.
New thousands of bottles will be added to the more than 21,000 in Verona. And the references will be, in addition to the 4,100 in the city of Verona, another 1,500, with the goal of maintaining the high quality of a wine list. Already celebrated among the 96 best in the world and awarded Wine Spectator’s Grand Award for the 21st consecutive year.
The menu will also fully respect the style of the Antica Bottega del Vino in Verona. Dedicated to the local tradition. It will include both historic Scaligeri dishes, such as sweet and sour chicken salad and Amarone braised beef, true must-haves of the sign, and Ampezzan specialties, such as melted Mont d’Or cheese with black truffle, Casunzei della dolce vita all’Ampezzana or Alpago lamb.
A valuable team
If you have been to Bottega del Vino in Verona at least once, you cannot have failed to notice the level of professionalism, hospitality and dedication that permeates the restaurant, and which the staff manages to maintain even at the busiest times. “Bottega exists because the historic families have believed in it. But it also exists because the guys who work there are a truly passionate bunch”. Says Luca Nicolis, introducing the team that will lead the Ampezzo-based sign.
The two apex figures who will accompany the project will be, in the kitchen, chef Giulio Alberto Debeni. Who has many national and international experiences behind him as well as a long association with chef Luca Dalla Via in Bottega Verona. While the wine cellar will be entrusted to head sommelier Pietro Campara. “These are two professionals who have worked with us for many years in Verona – explains the director -. They had the enthusiasm to put themselves forward, and we chose to entrust them with the leadership of the new Ampezzo adventure.”
The new adventure in Cortina
But the whole team is designed to represent the style and identity of Antica Bottega del Vino.“The team is composed of people who in their spare time love to travel, visit places – adds Sabrina Tedeschi. Because wine storytelling should not only be technical, but include personal stories and experiences. And that’s what we want to do in Bottega Vini. ” And, mindful of the Verona experience, we are certain that smiles will not be lacking in the Ampezzo Dolomites either.
