Antica Bottega del Vino Expands After 500 Years, Adding 1,500 Wine Labels in Cortina d’Ampezzo

Antica Bottega del Vino, a historic name in Italian wine and gastronomy, has announced the official opening date for its new location in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The restaurant will welcome guests starting December 30, 2025, at the height of the winter season. This marks the first expansion for the renowned venue outside its original home in Verona, where it has operated since the 16th century.

The new site is located on Corso Italia, in the center of Cortina d’Ampezzo, a town that is preparing to host the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The opening comes at a time when Cortina is experiencing increased international attention and tourism. The management team aims to bring the same standards of quality and hospitality that have made Antica Bottega del Vino a reference point for wine lovers and food enthusiasts worldwide.

Director Luca Nicolis will oversee both the Verona and Cortina locations. The kitchen in Cortina will be led by chef Giulio Alberto Debeni, who has worked extensively in Italy and abroad and has spent years at Antica Bottega del Vino alongside chef Luca Dalla Via. The wine program will be managed by head sommelier Pietro Campara, who will curate a cellar designed to match the reputation of the original venue. The wine list in Cortina will feature an additional 1,500 labels beyond the 4,100 available in Verona, with several thousand bottles stored on site.

The restaurant’s interior was designed by Menardi Ruggeri Nassivera Architects and built with local craftsmen specializing in woodwork. The space covers about 300 square meters and seats around 100 guests. Antique elements such as a late-19th-century Austrian stube and an 18th-century sacristy counter have been restored and incorporated into the design.

The menu at Antica Bottega del Vino Cortina will reflect both local Ampezzo traditions and classic dishes from Verona. Signature items like risotto all’Amarone and chicken salad will be served alongside specialties from the Dolomites region. The restaurant will operate year-round, seven days a week.

Antica Bottega del Vino is owned by ten wineries that are part of the Famiglie Storiche association: Allegrini, Begali, Brigaldara, Masi, Musella, Speri, Tedeschi, Tenuta Sant’Antonio, Tommasi, and Zenato. These wineries are known for their commitment to preserving the heritage of Valpolicella wines, especially Amarone. Sabrina Tedeschi, president of Antica Bottega del Vino, and Pierangelo Tommasi, president of Famiglie Storiche, have played key roles in bringing this project to life.

Founded during the Republic of Venice in the early 1500s and given its current name in 1890 by the Sterzi brothers, Antica Bottega del Vino has long been a gathering place for artists, writers, musicians, and wine lovers. Over its history it has changed hands several times but has always maintained its focus on tradition and quality. In 2010 it was acquired by Famiglie Storiche to ensure its legacy as a symbol of Veronese enology.

With this new opening in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Antica Bottega del Vino aims to become a destination for visitors seeking exceptional food and one of the world’s most celebrated wine lists in an alpine setting. The team behind the project says they are committed to maintaining the unique character that has defined their original location while adapting to the spirit of Cortina and its surroundings.