Antica Bottega del Vino Expands With 1,500 New Wine Labels Ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina

Antica Bottega del Vino, a historic wine bar and restaurant from Verona, will open its second location in Cortina d’Ampezzo on December 30. The announcement comes as the town prepares for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, drawing international attention to the Dolomites region. The new venue is located on Corso Italia, in the center of Cortina, and will operate year-round, seven days a week.

The management team for both locations will be led by Director Luca Nicolis. The kitchen in Cortina will be run by chef Giulio Alberto Debeni, who has worked extensively in Italy and abroad and has a long history with Antica Bottega del Vino. The wine program will be overseen by head sommelier Pietro Campara. This team aims to bring the same standards of quality and hospitality that have made the original Verona location internationally recognized.

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. The decision to expand into Cortina was driven by a shared vision among these wineries and their leaders, Sabrina Tedeschi and Pierangelo Tommasi. They see the new location as an opportunity to establish a reference point for wine and gastronomy in one of Italy’s most exclusive mountain destinations.

The new space covers about 300 square meters and can seat around 100 guests. The interior was designed by Menardi Ruggeri Nassivera Architects and features work by local craftsmen. Notable elements include restored antique pieces such as a late-19th-century Austrian stube and an 18th-century sacristy counter. These details are intended to create a warm atmosphere that reflects both local tradition and the heritage of the original venue.

The menu in Cortina will mirror that of Verona’s Antica Bottega del Vino, focusing on traditional dishes from Verona like risotto all’Amarone and chicken salad, while also offering specialties from the Ampezzo area. The wine cellar in Cortina will add several thousand bottles to the collection already held in Verona. While the original location boasts 21,000 bottles and 4,100 labels, the new site will feature an additional 1,500 labels.

Director Luca Nicolis emphasized that this opening is not just a replica of the Verona restaurant but an extension adapted to Cortina’s unique setting. He noted that the project was made possible through the commitment of the entire team and their suppliers.

Antica Bottega del Vino has received international recognition for its wine list, which has been awarded the Wine Spectator Grand Award for twenty-one consecutive years. With this new opening in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the group aims to offer visitors a high-level culinary and wine experience at altitude, reinforcing its reputation as one of Italy’s leading destinations for food and wine enthusiasts.