Wine Spectator has honored the historic venue, owned by Famiglie Storiche, for the 21st consecutive year, boasting more than 21,000 bottles and an exceptional depth of vintages.
September 2024, Verona – A wine list so rich that it ranks among the 96 best in the world. This is the Antica Bottega del Vino in Verona, a historic restaurant and bastion of wine culture in the city. Owned by eleven Famiglie Storiche (Allegrini, Begali, Brigaldara, Masi, Musella, Speri, Tedeschi, Tenuta Sant’Antonio, Tommasi, Venturini, and Zenato), the Bottega has been awarded the prestigious Grand Award by the U.S. magazine Wine Spectator for the twenty-first consecutive year. This accolade is reserved for establishments worldwide that are considered “must-visit destinations for wine lovers thanks to the excellence of their offerings.”
Luca Nicolis, director of the Antica Bottega del Vino, comments: “The consistency with which we have received this award makes us proud and recognizes the perseverance, curiosity, and expertise of our sommeliers, who frequently travel across Italy and abroad to add new selections to our menu. It is thanks to them and the entire team that our restaurant has become a landmark not only for the people of Verona but also for enthusiasts from around the world. Over more than two decades of the Grand Award, we have seen significant changes in the industry, and our wine list reflects these shifts: there is an increasing focus on small producers, and we have witnessed a general rise in prices. However, we have found that high quality is always recognized and appreciated, so much so that often at the Bottega, customers choose their wine first and then select the dish to pair with it.”
The restaurant, which has also been awarded the 3 Forchette by Falstaff, employs about 30 staff members, including five sommeliers. Head sommelier Simone Isoli adds, “At the Bottega, the role of the sommelier is becoming more akin to that of a consultant. Customers trust the sommeliers’ expertise and allow themselves to be guided, often giving carte blanche to organize themed dinners or vertical tastings with different vintages.”
The Antica Bottega del Vino’s cellar boasts about 21,000 bottles with an exceptional depth of vintages, all meticulously listed in its wine menu: 200 hand-bound pages adorned with artwork by Veronese painter Daniele Nalin, each volume uniquely crafted for the restaurant. “These are prestigious volumes, and we’ve often sold them to passionate customers who request one. However, because the list is the result of continuous research, it can be considered outdated the very next day, which is precisely what makes it a collector’s item,” Nicolis explains.
Antica Bottega del Vino
Established in the 1500s during the Republic of Venice, Antica Bottega del Vino adopted its current name in 1890 under the Sterzi Brothers, who preserved the charming, warm, and distinctive 19th-century style that is still evident today. The venue became a cultural landmark in the late 19th century, attracting wine lovers, poets, musicians, writers, and artists, including Boccioni, as well as journalists who would seek refuge there after a long day in the newsroom. In 1957, the restaurant was purchased by the Rizzo-Grigolo family and focused primarily on its restaurant business until 1987, when Severino Barzan, along with his partner Giovanni Pascucci, entered the scene. Barzan would later bring the Bottega model to New York.
Famiglie Storiche
Famiglie Storiche is an association founded in June 2009 by the union of ten historic wineries in Valpolicella, which now has thirteen members. These prestigious wineries have been significant players in the “Amarone world” for generations. In 2010, the then eleven members (Allegrini, Begali, Brigaldara, Masi, Musella, Speri, Tedeschi, Tenuta Sant’Antonio, Tommasi, Venturini, Zenato) acquired Antica Bottega del Vino, safeguarding the winemaking tradition of this iconic Verona landmark.
