Sandro Bottega on craftsmanship, sustainability and Italian excellence in travel retail

Since its founding in 1977, Italian wine and spirits producer Bottega SpA has built its reputation on family craftsmanship, sustainability and a broad premium portfolio. From UNESCO-designated vineyards to its growing network of Prosecco Bars, the company is reshaping how travelers encounter Italian wine culture. Global Travel Retail Magazine recently spoke with Sandro Bottega, president of Bottega SpA, about where the brand is heading in travel retail and beyond.

Sustainability at the core

Bottega centers its operations around environmental performance. “Our strength is to have products of great quality and sustainable,” he says. “We only use energy from alternative sources. We produce energy ourselves. We recycle 20 million liters of water. We use paper and carton from sustainably cultivated forests. We produce energy for 1,000 families.”

The vineyards rely on natural pollinators as part of their ecosystem-management approach. “We have our own honey production. We control the pollution in our vineyards, thanks to millions of bees,” he adds.

The company recently introduced the “Bottega Forest – A Breath for the Planet” program with Treedom, planting 500 trees in Ecuador, Tanzania and Madagascar to support climate and biodiversity goals.

Its Bibano winery uses photovoltaic systems and geothermal air conditioning to cut 900 tons of CO₂ emissions each year. Organic practices reduce synthetic chemicals by about 1,000 kilograms annually, and water depuration and recirculation systems save millions of liters every season. The winery also recycles glass and polyethylene, while NIR and DTS technologies calibrate barrel toasting to reduce waste and strengthen quality control.

Commitment to quality

Quality drives Bottega’s product and production strategy. The company operates five wineries, four distilleries, a glass factory, offices in Milan and a logistic center in Fontanafredda. Its vineyards span 60 hectares and the company generates roughly 14 million liters of product each year.

The portfolio includes Prosecco, Italian sparkling wines, Valpolicella and Tuscan red wines, Vermouth, grappa and a wide range of liqueurs, from Limoncino to fruit and cream varieties. Ultra-premium options include Bottega Gold Diamond and Stardust Black, while Poeti and Millesimato serve the core sparkling segment. Eighty-five percent of production ships to 165 countries, with Europe, Japan and Canada among the most popular markets. “Canada is surprisingly strong,” Bottega says.

Bottega Prosecco Bars, launched over a decade ago aboard the Viking Cinderella cruise ship, transform airports and hotels into showcases of Italian food and wine. The concept now spans 35 locations, including Budapest, Nice, Rome, Dubai, Venice, Istanbul, London Stansted, and Abu Dhabi, with further expansion planned for the Maldives in 2026. Menus include signature cocktails, organic and alcohol-free sparkling beverages, and premium wine selections.

Craftsmanship and family legacy

“After my father passed in 1983, I was 19 years old, and I tried my best to create a company that maintained the high-quality level my father instilled,” Bottega recalls. “We started with limited production, then moved step by step with other products, until today, where we employ almost 300 people. Our production is about 27 million bottles.”

The company holds all major certifications, verifies casks used for aging, and participates in charity work, including the Spirit of Peace initiative. It is part of the Leonardo Committee and ranks as the second-largest sparkling wine brand in global travel retail, with what Bottega describes as “the most popular Prosecco in the world.”

The company motto, Fatto a Mano (“Handmade”), reflects its commitment to quality, design and sustainability. Under Sandro Bottega’s leadership, the company continues to innovate in marketing, packaging and distribution while preserving artisanal Italian craftsmanship. “We are a company that never sleeps,” he concludes.