News - Events

Saturday 17th September 2011, Distilleria Bottega celebrated the beginning of distilling by hosting about 50 Ferraris in its main offices on the occasion of the “14th gathering of Ferrari lovers and cars”, organised by the Ferrari Club Prealpi Venete di Godega di Sant’Urbano (TV) Stable. When the participants arrived, they were welcomed by Stefano Bottega. There followed a visit to the distillery, with a special description of the process of transformation of the marc and a tasting of the Prosecco sparkling wine. In the evening during the convivial dinner with the Ferrari fans, Stefano Bottega awarded Ivan Capelli, former formula one Ferrari driver and now famous TV commentator, with the “Rosso Bottega” award, a beautiful blown glass bottle with a prancing horse inside it and containing 3 litres of Prosecco Grappa.

October is the month of breast cancer prevention and Sandro Bottega demonstrated his continuous dedication to the campaign by presenting the Amarone Prêt-à-Porter in Milan, the limited edition “glamour wine”, designed in collaboration with the designer Denise Focil. The exclusive evening was held at the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum on Thursday 20th October 2011. All the money raised during the event, which had singer Elisa as special patroness of the evening, went to Breast Health International (BHI), Italian non-profit organisation, which provides assistance to women suffering from breast cancer and to their families. Stefania Sandrelli participated in the event along with her partner Giovanni Soldati.

The prestigious Frontier Awards 2011, some of the main awards for the Duty Free and Travel Retail channel, were assigned during the TFWA Exhibition of Cannes (19th-23rd September). The Duty Free Shop of Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) and the Bottega Gold spumante won the “Best Partnership Initiative of the Year” award with the “Italian Drops” initiative, which created a blend between opera music and the premium glamorous spumante wine in one of the major duty free shops in Latin America. Top marks then to the collaboration between Distilleria Bottega and London Supply, one of the most important Latin America operators, which operates the Duty Free shop in Puerto Iguazu, the Argentinean city which is the access way to the famous waterfalls. This location was, indeed, the location of an innovative promotion during the course of 2011. The dynamic Argentinean operator created a way of entertaining and amusing the public inside the exhibition areas of the shopping centre and at the same time getting them to taste the Bottega products. The promotion centred on several musicians who played some of the most famous and immortal world opera pieces. The artists, dressed up as shop employees, visitors, tourists and security guards, mingled with the public and surprised the visitors, getting them to try the spumante Bottega Gold.

On September 9, 2011 Distilleria Bottega celebrated the Prosecco Doc grape harvest in its own vineyards which surround the company’s head offices. The bunches of grapes were harvested by the walk-on actors of the Compagnia de Calza of Venice, who wore 18th century historical Venetian costumes for the occasion. Immediately after, at sunset at summer's end, the same grapes distributed in two wooden vats from the last century were pressed by the feet of some beautiful girls. During the pressing and dinner the de Calza walk-on actors re-evoked the charms of the Serenissima Republic of Venice with poems singing the praises of wine and with erudite quotations. During the course of the evening, the "Procurator Grando" Luca Colferai bestowed on Sandro Bottega the standard of the Compagnia de Calza, to celebrate twenty years of friendship between the confraternity and the Treviso distillery.

The Duty Free Shop of Puerto Iguazu and our Bottega Gold won this prestigious prize with the “Italian Drops” initiative, which provided a link of opera music and our glamorous spumante in one of the major duty free shops in Latin America. The collaboration between London Supply and Distilleria Bottega was therefore given the main award.

On May 18th, 2011, in Singapore, Distilleria Bottega presented Bottega Gold, its “spumante glamour” which with its golden livery shows the very quintessence of luxury. The Asiatic city-state hosted “Bottega Golden Night”, organized by Sandro Bottega and by our importer Giorgio Ferrari. The Clifford restaurant was chosen for the evening. This restaurant, which reproduces the chic atmosphere of a Paris brasserie, is part of The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore. The many guests appreciated Bottega Gold, both as an aperitif and accompanying the dishes created by the Clifford chefs. The display of bottles, set out to make a large circle, and the appearance of four local beauties with flashing gold dresses, created a great expectation for tasting our top spumante.

During the event Pitti Immagine Uomo, Bottega Gold and Bottega Diamond, the two “spumanti glamour” of Distilleria Bottega, were presented in the course of the three day Eredi Chiarini Fashion Event, organized in Florence by the historic shop of the same name. The event (June 14th – 16th, 2011) saw the prestigious presence of John Malkovich, the well known US director and actor, who introduced his Technobohemian collection.

Texica, our Thai importer, organized two evenings in Bangkok which met with wide acclaim in the media. The first event, called “Bottega Gold Party”, was held on May 20th, 2011 at Mello Yello, a well-known jazz club in the capital. The second evening was hosted on the following day by The Hamilton Restaurant at The Dusit Hotel. Both events were successful, showing the importance of matching consumption of Bottega products with the dishes of various countries.

The Duty Free in Puerto Iguazú, the Argentian city and gateway to the famous waterfalls, was the backdrop for an innovative promotion idea created by London Supply. This dynamic distributor of Distilleria Bottega products hired some opera singers who performed some of the most famous and immortal pieces from world opera. The singers, dressed as airport employees, visitors, tourists and security guards, mixed with the public to the enthusiasm of the visitors, encouraging them to taste Gold spumante and other Alexander and Bottega products. The initiative, entitled “Italian Drops” was repeated in the same location on no fewer than eight occasions in the first four months of 2011. Given the promotion's success, London Supply has decided to register with Distilleria Bottega for the “Best Partnership Initiative of the Year” in the 2011 Frontier Awards.

The annual party of the prestigious F&B Association of Thailand took place on 27 April 2011 at the Dummy Club in Bangkok. Texica, the Thai importer of Alexander and Bottega brands, took part in the event as sponsor. Arousing particular interest among the products that were presented were Bottega Gold spumante and Alexander grappas.

On Friday 8 April 2011, Distilleria Bottega and Associazione Donne del Vino (the women in wine association) celebrated 150 years of the Unity of Italy at our stand in Vinitaly with Italian flag bottles containing a top selected lot of Prosecco grappa. For the occasion, the tenor Francesco Grollo gave a personal interpretation of the national anthem by Mameli. The chosen bottle, made of blown glass, encloses the Italian flag, which is made even more alive by the beautiful transparency and reflections of the liquor contained in it. Two Italian flag bottles, made in giant sizes, were on display at the Bottega stand for the whole duration of Vinitaly. On the same occasion, the company presented the biggest grappa bottle in the world, which won the Guinness World Record in 2010.

On 2 April Distilleria Bottega inaugurated its new glass blowing workshop in Pianzano di Godega (Treviso) where it creates the famous blown-glass bottles for the Alexander brand. Stefania Sandrelli was present as patroness of the inauguration ceremony. After a short introductory speech by Sandro Bottega, who described the company’s special relationship with the world of glass, Leonardo Muraro, President of the Province of Treviso, and Aldo Adinolfi, Prefect of Treviso, cut the traditional ribbon to officially inaugurate the workshop. An hour later in the distillery’s headquarters in Bibano, the Bottega brothers gave Stefania Sandrelli a special award for her 50-year career in the film industry. She was given a giant bottle containing 3 litres of a selection of Prosecco grappa with a reproduction inside of the director’s clapperboard, the quintessential symbol of the film set.

Distilleria Bottega took part as a partner in the 2011 Bari film festival, Bif&st. In order to pay homage to the world of cinema, together with Felice Laudadio, director and creator of the festival promoted by the region of Puglia, the company created the Alexander Award: a giant-size blown-glass bottle of grappa with a reproduction of a bunch of grapes inside. This special and prestigious prize, already awarded to the director Giuliano Montaldo in 2010, was given to Carlo Verdone in 2011, for his ability to represent the Italians’ good and bad sides, including their eating and drinking habits. The award ceremony was held at Teatro Petruzzelli on Monday 24 January.

On 27 February 2011, Distilleria Bottega actively took part in the official celebration of thirty years of Compagnia de Calza I Antichi. The Sale Apollinee in the Teatro La Fenice in Venice were the exceptional location for this playful and enjoyable event in the Venice Carnival. During the presentation, the Grand Prior Roberto Bianchin, the top authority of Compagnia de Calza, received the Alexander Carnival Award 2011.

The ninth Charity Ball was organised on 9 October 2010 by the prestigious Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Hong Kong, together with Po Leung Kuk, the city on the bay’s historic no profit organisation. The top event involved a group of sponsors with great international visibility. Distillera Bottega took part in the event for the second year running as a leading sponsor supplying wines, grappas and liquors. In addition, the company donated bottles of Grappolo Jeroboam and Alexander Platinum Jeroboam which were auctioned during the evening. All the proceeds from the event were used by Po Leung Kuk to finance aid and support programmes for the most needy children and families in the Asian metropolis. Sandro Bottega was present at the event, in a round of intense public relations.

On 4 December 2010 on occasion of the Cena delle Eccellenze dinner in the exclusive Four Seasons Hotel in Florence, AIS Toscana dubbed Stefania Sandrelli an Honorary Sommelier thanks to her role as ambassador of the values of Tuscan wine in the world. The prestigious award was collected by Sandro Bottega, the Trevisan wine and grappa producer and man behind Stefania's passion for the world of wine.

On 20 October 2010 in Cannes, Distilleria Bottega won the gold medal with its Bottega Gold spumante in the prestigious Buyers Forum Award organised by the Frontier magazine. This prize is very important as it is awarded on the basis of appraisals by buyers in the Duty Free and Travel Retail world on products from various goods channels which are assessed according to their sales performances. The silver medal went to Ray Ban glasses (Luxottica) and the bronze to the Kodak Pulse camera.

On 4 and 5 September 2010, during the Venice Film Festival, the Donne del Vino Association set up a prestigious exhibition space on the terrace at the Lido’s Hotel Excelsior. In this context, the Cantina dei Poeti (Prosecco, Rosè and Petalo) spumantes were particularly appreciated by film makers and visitors.

Distillera Bottega has set up a pleasing partnership with Paco Rabanne, the prestigious perfume and fashion accessories brand. Playing a leading role in this was Bottega Gold, a product with a strong impact which is perfect for co-marketing operations. In this connection during summer 2010 our "glamorous" spumante was reserved an exhibition and sales space in the Paco Rabanne store in Frankfurt airport.

Distilleria Bottega, with its exclusive spumante Bottega Gold, accompanied the Venice Music Awards, a great event held on July 20th at the Venice Lido, in the splendid venue of the Film Palace. The evening ended in the beautiful halls of the Excelsior Hotel, where the gala dinner of the event was held. In this context, Stefano Bottega delivered the Alexander Award to Mauro Pizzigati, president of the Venice Casino. This award has the shape of a blown glass bottle with a bunch of grapes inside, and contains 3 litres of Prosecco grappa. Bottega Gold was the star of the drinks and ritual toasts. During the evening, Renzo Arbore, Max Gazzè and Paola Turci were photographed, together with Stefano Bottega, holding the bottle which was the symbol of the event.

On the evening of July 17th, 2010 Distilleria Bottega organized a boat party to celebrate the Redeemer, the most strongly felt feast in Venice. The evening began with a drink at sunset as the boat was sailing. Once the boat anchored, in the open water between Piazza San Marco and the island of San Giorgio, loud music made the party atmosphere even more felt. Dinner started as night began to fall, accompanying tasting of our wines and grappas. Then the deck of the boat turned into a unique stage from which all our guests could view the fireworks which were painting the Venetian night with a thousand colours. The day before, in the garden in front of the country house where the distillery has its offices, a dinner was served under the moon, which lasted well into the night with dancing and drinking.

On September 10th, 2010 Distilleria Bottega celebrated the harvest of Prosecco Doc Treviso in its own vineyards which surround the company offices. The grape bunches were picked by the actors of the Compagnia de Calza, strictly wearing historic 18th century Venetian costumes. Immediately after, following the peasant tradition, the grapes were pressed by foot by the “Antichi veneziani”, by some lovely girls wearing theme costumes and by children who were enthusiastic about the exciting atmosphere. A delegation of Japanese customers visiting Distilleria Bottega took an active part in the harvest and shared in the festive atmosphere, adding an international touch. September 10th, 2010 was also a historic date, since it was the first time that the Bottega family saw Prosecco sales exceed those of grappa.

Distilleria Bottega has won the Guinness World Records for the biggest bottle of grappa in the world (height 186 cm; capacity 138 litres). It took 8 months to make the bottle including the feasibility studies and actual production. It employed 6 master glass-makers for a total of 200 hours of work. The diameter of the base measures 35 cm with a circumference of 110 cm. The event, called the Grantavolata, was held on Sunday 6 July and took place in the park of Sant’Artemio (the new headquarters of the Treviso provincial government). In this context, 34 chefs prepared a banquet for around 6,000 people, with a table measuring 1,534 metres long and a menu of typical Trevisan products. Appearing in Treviso on behalf of the Guinness World Records was Michael Sean Whitty, the judge sent from London, who certified both the size of the biggest bottle of grappa in the world, and of the longest tablecloth in the world (1,461 metres), made by Agotex owned by Davide Carraretto. It took about an hour to fill the bottle.

With its Maestri Grappa, Distillera Bottega won the gold medal on occasion of the 2010 ISW international spirits competition, organised by the Mundusvini Internationale Weinakademie. The prestigious event, which 600 liquors and distillates from all over the world participated in, took place in Neustadt/Weinstrasse in Rhineland (Germany). The international jury comprises a team of expert oenologists who taste and assess the competing wines and distillates.

On April 8, 2010, Distilleria Bottega presented, at their Vinitaly stand, the design of the world’s largest bottle of grappa, under the oversight of the Guinness Book of World Records. The TrevisoViva Merchant’s Association is organizing a huge table of 1.550 meters which will accommodate over 5.000 diners on June 6, 2010, in Treviso. This great festivity is highlighted by two world record attempts: the longest tablecloth (1.700 meters) and the largest bottle of grappa (120 liters). The tablecloth is being made by Agotex, while the technical group of Distilleria Bottega is working on the bottle. The special bottle will have the following dimensions: 2 mt height, 30 cm in diameter and 120 liters of capacity.

Puglia and Veneto have joined forces at Vinitaly 2010 to present an exceptional wine that celebrates the history of the Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia. The chosen name "Bacaro" evokes the frequent commercial trading between the city of Dogi and Trani. This wine is a Primitivo di Manduria produced by Tenute Al Bano Carrisi in collaboration with Distilleria Bottega. On Friday, April 9, at our stand, the famous Italian singer, with the Bottega brothers, announced this commercial project, which comes from historical research and the desire to promote the enological excellence of our country. The term "bacaro" is used in Venetian dialect to indicate taverns.

At the International Packaging Competition of Vinitaly 2010, Grappa Riserva Privata, a new product of Distilleria Bottega, was awarded the prize "Gold Label" in the category of distillates that come from grape, grape seeds, must and wine. The prestigious prize was granted unanimously by the jury, which appreciated the retro-style of the unique container, an enhancement to the tradition of the grappa. Particularly in the case of the Riserva Privata, the packaging has its strength in the square base bottle and in the newly conceived label. The case also reproduces the front of the bottle, made more appealing by a slight opaque effect. Stefano Bottega, creator of this product, wanted to develop a special grappa with a packaging of great character.

Distilleria Bottega participated as a "technical sponsor" of the Paralympics, which took place in Vancouver and the surrounding Rocky Mountains from March 12 to March 21, 2010. They contributed by supplying bottles of sparkling wine, “Il Vino dei Poeti” (Prosecco and Gold) for the inauguration and representation dinners. The Italian Cultural Center was also operating in Vancouver, thus a wine bar with personalized Bottega logos was set up. In Whistler, at the Westin Resort & Spa, a Bottega banner and a bottle of “Gold” were displayed for the duration of the games.

For the first time, Distilleria Bottega was partner to the 2010 edition of BIF&ST, the Bari Cinema Festival, which is sponsored by the Puglia Region. To pay tribute to the cinema world, the company and Felice Laudadio (director and creator of the Festival), set up the Alexander Prize. It consisted of a gigantic 3-litre blown-glass bottle of a selection of Prosecco grappa, with a bunch of grapes produced inside. The awards ceremony took place on Wednesday 27th January 2010 at the Petruzzelli Theatre. Stefano Bottega presented director Giuliano Montaldo the Alexander Prize in recognition of his extensive knowledge of Italian wine and food culture.

Distilleria Bottega gained itself the honour, on 30 October, of opening the very first bottle of Prosecco Doc. It was a historic day, represented by the first production of Prosecco Doc, made with the grapes harvested in the province of Treviso according to the new disciplinary dictates. Not only: Bottega Prosecco arrived on the market a few days before Vino Novello and Beaujolais Nouveau, opening an important year for the high quality of wine. On the occasion, in the Bottega cellars of Bibano di Godega, an imposing 6-litre Mathusalem Gold was uncorked. At the same time, the first bottles of Doc produced with the grapes of the latest harvest were also opened in Moscow, Toronto, Hong Kong, Hanoi, New Delhi and Nairobi. One week later, on 8 November, the company presented a Mathusalem Gold in Milan (at the Italian Spumanti Forum of the “Golosaria” trade fair). The monumental bottle was opened at aperitif time. Those attending the event signed the bottle with an indelible pen to witness this historic moment for posterity. Simultaneously, in Merano (at the Merano “Wine Festival & Gourmet”), a golden 3-litre Jeroboam was opened, containing the same Prosecco Doc 2009 harvest production.

On 19 September last, the prestigious Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Hong Kong, together with Po Leung Kuk, a historic no-profit organisation of the city on the bay, organised their Charity Ball for the eighth year running. This very important event was supported by famous international sponsors. Distilleria Bottega also took part in the event as a Diamond Partner, i..e. the most qualified category of sponsors. Our bottles were displayed in a position of great impact. The proceeds of the evening, together with the sponsors’ donations, will be entirely used by Po Leung Kuk to finance their programme in aid and support of the poorest families of the Asian metropolis.

For the “Columbus Day” celebrations, held in New York from 5 to 16 October, the Veneto Region prepared a large display area in New York’s Grand Central Station, to show the treasures of its artistic and cultural heritage, including those of interest to tourists and the specialties of its agricultural produce and cuisine. Distilleria Bottega had the honour of being invited to take part in the event. In fact, on 10 October Franco Manzato, Vice President of the Veneto Region delivered to Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of the Big Apple, a huge version of Discovery Alexander, containing 3 litres of Prosecco grappa. This is the bottle that was designed in 1992 by Sandro Bottega, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America.

Distilleria Bottega successfully took part in the winemaking contest MUNDUSvini in Germany, winning the following medals: Gold Medal for Amarone Il Vino degli Dei; Gold Medal for Acino d’Oro Chianti Riserva; Silver Medal for Il Vino dei Poeti Brunello di Montalcino. The MUNDUSvini International Wine Award is one of the most important winemaking contests worldwide.

Distilleria Bottega renewed the party tradition on a boat on the night of 18 July to celebrate the Redentore (Redeemer), one of the most popular Venetian festivals. The evening began with pre-dinner drinks at sunset at full sail. Once the boat had been anchored in the stretch of water between St. Mark’s Square and the island of San Giorgio, the loud music led to dancing on the bridge. The dinner, with its many courses, then got underway after dark in the spacious and suitably laid-out cabin cruiser. At 11:30 everyone was back on the bridge again to watch the fireworks, which painted the Venetian sky in a thousand colours.

In July, for the Ischia International Journalism Awards, Distilleria Bottega, always close to the press, awarded the now established Alexander award to the Cuban writer and poet, Armando Valladares. The award consists of a gigantic bottle of grappa in blown glass. Here, the original award was handed to the winner by Stefano Bottega.

The Bottega vintage, the first of the new DOC Prosecco, drew to a close on 1 September with festivities, free-flowing wine and poetry. In fact due to the particularly fertile land that is home to its vineyards and which surround its cellar and distilleries, Distilleria Bottega was one of the first producers – if not the very first – to begin the vintage of this new DOC. The 2009 vintage is “historic” because it is the first to be done in line with the new specification that has governed this new DOC since 1 August, thereby safeguarding it against falsifications and ensuring that the consumer finds it exceptional. This “baptism” was rendered especially charming by the Compagnia della Calza, whose enthusiastic actors, strictly attired in traditional Venetian 18th-century costumes, gathered the Prosecco grapes. However, 1 September 2009 is also a historic date because the Bottega family celebrated the first 20 years of “Il Vino dei Poeti”, a brand that has stood out due to its quality in over 100 countries around the world and which has been enjoyed by leading lights in the fields of poetry, art and culture.

The private inauguration of Villa Rosina, our company headquarters dedicated to Rosina Zambon Bottega, took place on 6 June. Various famous people from the world of politics and the state took part. Luca Zaia, Minister for Agricultural, Food and Forest Policies, cut the red, white and green ribbon, to mark the symbolic inauguration of Villa Rosina. The aperitif in the garden was followed by dinner in the "Art in Grappa" room. Among the guests were Tinto Brass with his new "muse" Caterina Varzi, Marco Columbro and Giovanni Soldati. The evening was rounded off with a tasting of Tuscan cigars combined with our grappas, meeting with the total satisfaction of those present.

Il Vino dei Poeti Brunello di Montalcino won the prestigious "Silver Medal - Best in Class", during the 2009 International Wine and Spirit Competition. The prize-winning product was Il Vino dei Poeti Brunello di Montalcino, which obtained the best result among the Brunello di Montalcino wines selected by IWSC. This excellent result, obtained in one of the most important international competitions, helps strengthen the image of all the wines produced by the company.

Distilleria Bottega won 3 gold medals on occasion of the 2009 ISW competition (Internationaler Spirituosen Wettbewerb), organised by Mundusvini Internationale Weinakademie. ISW Award is the most important international oenological competition held in Germany. The international jury exclusively comprises expert oenologists who taste and judge the wines and distillates in the competition. The three award-winning products were: Grappa Alexander Cru, Grappa Alexander Amarone and Grappa Cellini Amarone invecchiata.

The AUA (Italian Automobile User Association) and Distilleria Bottega presented the ACI-ISTAT statistics (Automobile Club of Italy and National Institute of Statistics) regarding road accidents in 2007 at the Vinitaly show. The objective of this initiative was to show that the number of incidents caused by drink driving actually accounts for a very small percentage of the total (2.09%). In fact, out of a total number of 292,746 car accidents, only 6,124 were attributable to alcohol abuse. Therefore, we feel that the media campaigns of recent months demonising the consumption of a glass of wine are excessive, and jeopardise the production of an iconic Italian-made product. Of course, by adopting this stance, we do not wish to underestimate the risk of driving under the influence of alcohol, but rather to publicise the fact that the current legal limit allows levels of alcohol in the blood up to 0,5 g/l: a level that represents an adequate safeguard against accidents and ensures road safety. On this subject, the Distilleria Bottega has drafted a proposal to modify the current law, by reducing the minimum alcohol content of grappa from 37.5% to 36%.

Grappa and ice-cream are two Italian products with a long-standing tradition that are known and appreciated both in Italy and abroad. It is this consideration that led to a commercial collaboration between the Distilleria Bottega and Galatea. These two companies located near Treviso, decided to unite their expertise in distilling and producing semi-processed products for traditional ice-cream. This synergy resulted in the creation of a unique ice-cream (Superior dark chocolate with Grappa Vendemmia Tardiva), that was prepared at the Vinitaly show at Bottega's stand. The ice-cream was then displayed in a glass counter and served to visitors with a traditional cone. For the finishing touch, the most discerning visitors added a small sprinkle of Tardiva. As a special guest, Minister Luca Zaia also took part in the tasting at the stand and appreciated this unique combination.

In May 2009 Sandro Bottega was knighted for services to industry and awarded the title of "Cavaliere della Repubblica", one of the greatest honours of our country. This recognition rewards the continuous research with the aim of improving quality and commitment to the penetration of Italian and international markets. This honour is an acknowledgement of the business activity of the Distilleria Bottega, founded in 1977 by Aldo and his wife Rosina, and managed over recent years by their son Sandro together with his siblings Barbara and Stefano.

The Distilleria Bottega, with the support of the importer Brindco, has completed an installation that occupies a portion of the Botticino restaurant located within the Trident Mansdra Kurla Mumbai, destined to become one of the most prestigious hotels in the whole of India. The entrance to the dining room has been furnished with an impressive array of shelves that are filled from floor to ceiling with Alexander Grappa. As a result of this "wall" effect, the installation has been named: "The Grappa Wall".

On the 21st February, for the third year running, the Accademia degli Acquavitai and the Distilleria Bottega took part in the most anticipated event of the Venice Carnival, the Gran Ballo della Cavalchina, that was held in the La Fenice Theatre. During the evening, the masters of ceremony, who were members of the Compagnia della Calza, adjudicated the winning prize for the best mask of the ball to the German actress and costume designer Heike Blameuse, and she was duly presented with the Alexander Carnival Prize 2009 in the foyer of the theatre by Stefano and Barbara Bottega. The award took the form of a giant hand-blown glass bottle containing the traditional bunch of grapes. The original container holds three litres of a special vintage of Prosecco grappa.

From the 12th to 15th January 2009, the ISPY (Inflight Sales Person of the Year) event was held in London, bringing together the buyers and suppliers of the main airline companies. For this occasion, the suppliers organised a competition to award the inflight assistant of the year, on the basis of the business acumen of the various contestants, as well as their ability to present the products on sale. Our exhibition area was greatly appreciated by sector operators, who are always on the lookout for new marketing ideas.

Our Prosecco Vino dei Poeti Gold is also starting to take off in London. In fact, the famous "Button Club - Temple of Darkness" held a Halloween Party attended not only by actresses, models and celebrities, but also by the twenty year old Princess Beatrice (the daughter of Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew). Our Gold was served exclusively for this event.

From the 12th to the 14th November, the barmen of the island of Ischia, accompanied by our representative Giovanni Balestrieri, visited our company. On the evening prior to departure, a competition was held in the restaurant Geographic of Conegliano involving 24 barman who prepared a series of grappa-based cocktails and long drinks. After much tasting, the panel of judges awarded first prize to Antonio Conte for his cocktail Mo' Mo' (5/10 Grappa Alexander; 3/10 Cointreau; 1/10 Grenadine; 1/10 lemon juice).

Distilleria Bottega won 2 medals at the 2008 International Wine and Spirit Competition. This competition, organised by Harpers Trade Journal Ltd. of London, only rewards quality and the members of the trade consider it to be one of the top competitions world-wide on account of its serious-mindedness and its awards' resonance. The prize-winners were Amarone Il Vino degli Dei, with a silver medal and Rosè Il Vino dei Poeti with a bronze medal.

We were thrilled to receive a letter from the Queen of Denmark through GL. KONGEVEJ VIN, our Danish distributor. The queen of this Scandinavian country expressed her approval of the special bottle of Il Vino dei Poeti Prosecco that she received months ago. We are particularly proud of this "royal" appreciation of our product's content and packaging.

On 5th July, at Premio Ischia Internazionale di Giornalismo, Distilleria Bottega awarded the writer and journalist Timothy Garton Ash the traditional Alexander Prize consisting of a huge, blown-glass bottle. Timothy Garton Ash is the leader-writer of La Repubblica and The New York Review of Books. He also writes for The New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal.

On 1st September 2008 British Airways, the prestigious airways company that flies the Union Jack and connects the United Kingdom to the rest of the world, introduced our 20 l3 Alexander Sky bottle. This is good news and boosts our sales on leading world airlines.

The new cellar of Distilleria Bottega has been operating since May. For the moment, production is limited to Prosecco but its extension to other sparkling white wines is envisaged. As from the 2009 harvest, part of the Prosecco grapes required for production will originate from our own vineyards (about 10 hectares) surrounding the wine estate. The cellar has been equipped with the following costly instrumentation: 7 50 to 300 hectolitre stainless steel autoclaves, 1 latest generation tangential filter that enables very delicate wine filtration, a bottling plant in an isobar environment which guarantees 5000 bottles per hour at the maximum and a temperature-checking system inside autoclaves.

Distilleria Bottega joined in SaporBio, the second international Organic fair strongly desired by Marco Columbro. The fair, which was held in Versilia from 11 to 15 June, culminated in a gala dinner on 14 June at Una Hotel Versilia in Lido di Camaiore. On this occasion, Sandro Bottega awarded a special blown-glass bottle to the 7 famous event-winning chefs: Paolo Rossi, Bruno Barbieri, Igles Corelli, Pietro Leeman, Maurizio Marsili, Marco De Vincentis and Claudio Monconi. The original container's interior portrays the sun: organic agriculture's leading symbol.

From 30 May to 2nd June, "Vini nel Mondo" was held in Spoleto. The original fair, together with an exhibition of wines from hundreds of cellars, provided an opportunity for the public, the wine world and the performing arts to meet. On 31 May, Sandro Bottega, when invited up to the stage for a theme conference, offered some bottles for a charity auction in which Stefania Sandrelli and Lamberto Sposini also joined. Three bottles of Chianti Acino d'Oro Riserva were sold for 350 € each while Jeroboam Prosecco and Grappa Maestri went for 700 €.

The Spirit Journal, founded in 1991 by the journalist and critic F. Paul Pacult, is one of the most prestigious American journals for the spirits' market. Last June, this journal wrote up about Sambuca Bottega, which was rated number-one: Five Stars/Highest Recommendation. It was described as one of the best, if not the very best, Sambucas ever to have been reviewed by The Spirit Journal.

From May 5 to 8, we were in Parma, taking part in Cibus, the most important fair in the food sector. The absolute star, among the company products, was Elixir 0, the new non alcoholic bitter drink, which was greatly appreciated in combination with beer. During the event, Pippo Baudo, Gerry Scotti and Tito Stagno stopped over at our stand to taste grappa, wines and the latest novelties.

On April 18, Distilleria Bottega took part in the 25th edition of EuropaCinema, the prestigious film festival held in Viareggio and devoted this year to German cinema, assigning the Alexander award to the director Volker Schlöndorff. The ceremony, also attended by the director Margarethe Von Trotta, was held at Politeama Theatre in Viareggio.

On Sunday, May 25, we took part in the 2008 edition of "Cantine Aperte" (Open cellars day), opening our new premises at Bibano di Godega S.U. (TV) to visitors. This event was a feast dedicated to wine and grappa which afforded enthusiasts and novices to get in contact with a world rich in fascination and charm.

After the Tax Free Asia Pacific fair, held in Singapore from May 12 to 15, Sandro Bottega stopped over in Hong Kong, where he organized a presentation of the company, inviting customers, opinion leaders and the press. Finally, a prestigious school for barmen called him in to deliver a lesson on how to use our products for cocktails and long drinks.

On 16 February Distilleria Bottega has organized at the Hotel Villa Deodoro in Taormina an event dedicated to the grappa. In the Etnean area Sandro Bottega introduced the new Marsala grappa. After the gala dinner there has been an Alexander and Bottega mono-vine grappa sampling. Finally, time for the gala top moment, when Sandro Bottega assigned a special prize dedicated to those persons who excelled in the Sicilian oenological field. The prize consists in a precious blown glass bottle, carrying inside a three legged head, Trinacria emblem. This original Bottega Prize has been assigned to Giuseppe Castiglione, Sicilian member of the European Parliament in Brussels, to Gianni Giardina, president of Anag Sicilia, Franco Di Miceli, owner of the Cooperativa Patria di Linguaglossa wine firm, and to the journalists Fabrizio Carrera of Giornale di Sicilia and Stefano Gurrera of La Sicilia

On the Saturday before Lent the Accademia degli Acquavitai (Italian for Grappa Producers Accademy) and Distilleria Bottega took part, for the second consecutive year, to Cavalchina Gala Ball, the Venetian Carnival top event that has been held at La Fenice theatre. The event great masters of ceremonies were the members of the Compagnia della Calza, strictly dressed up with traditional costumes. The night main exhibition has been carried out by the best circus artists of the world, following one another on the stage. At the end of the different performances the best Russian equilibrist Oleg Izossimov was voted and received the Carnival 2008 Alexander Prize in the foyer of the theatre. The original carnival style award is a special huge blown glass bottle having inside the "bauta", which is the Venetian mask par excellence, that was created to hide the face and allow men and women to go around incognito in Venetian narrow streets and small squares. The original bottle includes also three litres of Prosecco grappa.

During the movie a quite long shooting took the actor Denzel Washington during a conversation and next to him a 35cl bottle of Grappolo Alexander which is immediately recognized.

Aldo Bottega, founder of Distilleria Bottega, left a very precise mark on the world of distillation, giving it new freshness and innovation. Over the years, he was able to demolish some consolidated trends that made grappa a distillate designed and produced exclusively for the local area. Already at a young age he had started to develop a strong passion for this magical microcosm, which took him back to the alchemy of fairytales. He would often accompany his father Domenico, a wine trader in the whole of the Marca Trevigiana area, who, as part of his trade also visited the small distilleries in the district. In these steam-filled environments, the young Aldo was fascinated by the transformation process. Before his eyes, the solid marc became a transparent, crystal-clear liquid. Aldo Bottega, who founded the distillery in 1977, passed away in 1983.

Like every year, we had a stand at the TFWA exhibition, the most important and prestigious fair in the Duty Free sector which took place from 22nd to 26th October at the Palais du Festival in Cannes. During the show, where we were able to meet the international clientele of this rapidly growing market, we presented Coco Bottega and the rosé Vino dei Poeti with the Breast Health Institute logo. Again on the Côte d'Azur, the Alexander and Bottega brands appeared among the main sponsors of the Heinemann Travel Value Golf Tournament which took place in Mandelieu on 21st October.

On occasion of the 2007 International Wine and Spirit Competition, we were awarded another three important medals: silvers for Limoncino Bottega and Alexander Brunello Grappa and a bronze for Sambuca Bottega. We remind you that this competition, organised by the Harpers Trade Journal Ltd. of London, awards quality alone and is considered by those in the sector as one of the top in the world for seriousness and importance.

On August 28, the first "Grappa Tasting Master" was organised in the Asian State-City in the rooms of the prestigious restaurant Garibaldi. A few journalists and several Food and Beverage managers of important hotels participated in the event, which saw the involvement of Sandro Bottega as tutor. The practical and theory lesson ended with the participants receiving the grappa tasting diploma.

Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is predestined and has an enviable curriculum and an almost infinite series of offices. Chairman of Ferrari since 1991, in 2003 he was elected chairman of Confindustria (the confederation of Italian business entrepreneurs). We were delighted to receive a letter of thanks from him for having sent some samples of our products

On the evening of 14th July, Distilleria Bottega organised an on-deck party to celebrate the Festival of the Redentore, the best loved of Venice's festivals. The evening, which saw some of the most important international clients take part, started with an aperitif at sundown out on the water. After dark, the multi-course dinner began in the large, specially prepared cabin. At 11.30 all went on deck for the magical fireworks that coloured the Venetian night-sky in one thousand hues.

On 7th July, on the occasion of the Ischia International Journalism Prize, Distilleria Bottega awarded the now traditional Alexander Prize, consisting of a huge blown glass bottle of grappa, to the famous Israeli writer David Grossman. The award ceremony for the unusual and classy object, with a reproduction of a quill inside, was held in the conference room of the Hotel Regina Isabella in Lacco Ameno after the press presentation conference.

Distilleria Bottega supported the 4th Guido Toffoletti Memorial, dedicated to the Venetian singer who brought the blues to Italy in the 1970s. The event, organised by the Blues in Villa cultural association, was part of the "9th Blues in Villa". During the occasion, on 9th July 2007 Stefano Bottega presented Luciano "Lucky" Gherghetta and his band Mr Lucky & Sen-Sa-Shun Band, winners of the competition, with a prestigious blown glass bottle.

Distilleria Bottega participated in Sapor Bio, the first international organic food event, which took place in Viareggio from 21st to 24th June 2007. Produced specially for the event, organised by the Italian anchorman Marco Columbro, were some blown glass bottles containing a reproduction of the sun, the symbol of organic farming. On the evening of 22nd May 2007, in the halls of the prestigious Hotel Principe di Piemonte, five great chefs (Bruno Baschieri, Igles Corelli, Pietro Leemann, Raffaello Mazzolini and Paolo Rossi) prepared a strictly organic dinner and were then awarded by Distilleria Bottega with a bottle of Jeroboam Server Alexander.

American Airlines, the world’s largest airline, is pleased to offer one of the beautifully distinctive bottles from the Alexander Grappa blown glass collection as part of its onboard duty free shopping experience. Distilleria Bottega is proud to be included in American’s inflight sales catalogue since the beginning of 2007 and is encouraged by strong sales as it continues to expand its onboard duty free business. The Alexander product selected by American Airlines is “Alexander Sky”, a special blown-glass bottle of great charm containing 200 ml of Prosecco grappa and featuring a small glass replica of an airplane within the bottle.

Distilleria Bottega has taken part in Vitigno Italia for the second year in a row, with its own area, called Cooking & Wine, in the large and elegant Luigi Cremona lounge. A gastronomic exhibition was held in this special area involving personalities of the calibre of Heinz Beck, Enrico Derflingher, Alessandro Circiello and Ernesto Jaccarino. In addition, a competition was held between the best young chefs in Campania, Puglia and Sicily. On Tuesday 22nd May, the Sicilian Vincenzo Candiano (Locanda Don Serafino - Ragusa Ibla) won the cooking challenge to be proclaimed best up-and-coming chef in Southern Italy. As a prize from Distilleria Bottega he was awarded a giant-size blown glass bottle containing 3 litres of a special selection of Venetian grappa. This unusual award contained a spoon, a fork and a knife in it. The same day, chefs, restauranteurs and catering industry workers from the whole of Southern Italy paid homage to Gualtiero Marchesi in which Stefano Bottega gave the great master an artistic creation designed to contain grappa and celebrate the art of cooking.

Distillera Bottega took part with its grappas in the third "Gioco del Piacere" event. The initiative, organised by the regional Slow Food associations, took place on 24th May in around 80 Italian osterie and restaurants (from Sicily to Veneto). The pleasant evening of good food attracted between 30 and 50 connoisseurs to each location. At the end of the dinner they served Alexander Cru, Alexander Platinum and Vendemmia Tardiva grappas. The three distillates, each with their own particular personality, were praised by the diners.

Distilleria Bottega won a prestigious gold medal in Belgium, on occasion of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. The competition, without doubt one of the most important on an international level, brings together more than 220 vine and wine experts every year from all four corners of the world (representing 45 nationalities) to judge almost 5,800 wines and liquors from all five continents in optimal conditions. Distilleria Bottega won the sought-after prize with one of the products that are the pride and joy of its range: Alexander Brunello di Montalcino Grappa.

Every year the magazine Decanter, one of the most prestigious magazines in the sector on the Anglo-Saxon market, organises an oenological competition entered by wines from all around the world. In the 2007 event, Distilleria Bottega was awarded a commendation with its Vino dei Poeti Prosecco Brut.

For Vinitaly the Bottega distillery and SILB, the association that represents night clubs and discothèques, gave visitors to the Vinitaly fair the chance to see how much they'd had to drink in the last few hours. In fact, some alcoltests of the latest generation were available at the Bottega stand so you could see the percentage of alcohol present in your blood in real time. In order to promote the culture of moderation, the same alcoltests will be distributed as part of a promotional campaign to the company's customers in the following months. Furthermore, the Treviso company presented Elixir 0°, the very first alcohol-free bitter, that gives people who don't drink the chance to taste this delicious digestive.

The Bottega distillery won the "Packaging 2007" Special Prize, awarded by Vinitaly, for the International Packaging Competition. The jury, chaired by the director Lina Wertmûller, awarded the prestigious prize to the company from Treviso for the excellent result of the products that had been entered in the competition, which swept the field of the competition.

Grappa Vendemmia Tardiva won the Vinitaly Grappa Tasting Award 2007. The prize was awarded on the basis of the data gathered at "Grappa & C. Stratus Tasting" the tasting table where visitors tasted approximately 7,000 products at Vinitaly 2006. An index was drawn up for each product tasted by the visitors, based on two key factors: the character (the innovative capacity, the use of popular raw materials or characteristic packaging) and the sensorial evaluation of the public (competence in production).

On Saturday 17th February, the Accademia degli Acquavitai liquor makers' academy and Distilleria Bottega took part in the Cavalchina great ball at the La Fenice theatre in Venice. At the event, the company from Treviso gave the dancing a further boost by offering some prestigious Alexander blown-glass bottles containing a selection of Prosecco grappas as prizes. The masters of ceremonies were the members of the Compagnia della Calza carnival association, all strictly dressed in traditional costumes interpreting the colourful range of personalities that populated Venice during the era of the Serenissima republic. In the role of Gastaldo (steward) of the Accademia degli Acquavitai, Sandro Bottega awarded the most sensual and elegant costume a special giant bottle with a reproduction of a Venetian mask inside.

In its 23rd issue on sale in February, the magazine Bibenda, the official organ of the Italian Sommeliers' Association (AIS), published a special feature on Prosecco. This Italian sparkling wine has also gained such international prestige that in some markets it has become a real alternative to champagne. As a result, the AIS experts held a guided tasting session of around fifty bottles from the main companies in the sector. At the event, Distilleria Bottega's Prosecco Vino dei Poeti obtained a high score (82/100), ranking our wine in the prized top category.

La Casa delle Letterature, in collaboration with GUSH Quartiere Creativo and the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia - Cineteca Nazionale, organised the Mario Soldati, Un Autore Controtempo -Mario Soldati, An Offbeat Author- exhibition from 16th October to 17th November in its headquarters in Piazza dell'Orologio in Rome. The main attraction of the exhibition was the Studio Soldati, a reconstruction of his study in the restored buildings of Piazza dell'Orologio, with a typewriter, books, photographs and memories of one of the greatest writers of twentieth-century Italian literature. On 17th November the company from Treviso presented a special edition of its Maestri grappa, which was put on display in the Soldati study, to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the writer's birth. It is an elegant decanter with an original irregular shape and the Maestri trademark silk screen printed on the front. In addition, the words 100 Years of Mario Soldati can be seen through the back of the bottle. This liquor is a reserve which periodically celebrates a master of art and culture. A limited number of bottles are produced and distributed, so that they become great historic collector's pieces. Over the years the Maestri grappa has been dedicated to: Aldo Bottega the founder of the company, Carlo Bo, Leone Piccioni, Bernardo Bertolucci, Ettore Scola and Alberto Sordi.

Last month, our Alexander and Bottega's distributor for Costa Azzura, Mr Henry Fabre received the legal heirs to the French throne in his manor near Tolone, who have been complimented with Diamante Alexander.

Distilleria Bottega celebrated Italian football's great victory in Germany in the sign of Grappa by creating a special bottle. It is a blown glass bottle containing an Italian flag and a new blend of grappa produced with nine vines which represent all the Italian peninsula: Prosecco, Nebbiolo and Tocai Friulano from northern Italy; Snagiovese, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Verdicchio from central Italy; Nero d'Avola, Aglianico and Primitivo di Menduria from southern Italy. The bottle named -Italia 06- was realized in limited number. The company's master glass-blowers produced only twenty-four duplicates of this special bottle, reserved to twenty-three Italian players and to the ex-coach Marcello Lippi who, despite the controversies, created a winning team.