Brookvale’s reputation as a Northern Beaches food hub continues to expand, with Bottega 1900 celebrating the grand opening of its Italian specialty store on Pittwater Road near Brookvale Oval.
Located at Unit 1, 537 Pittwater Road, the store specialises in Italian wines, traditional balsamic vinegars from Modena and high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oils imported directly from producers across Italy, Greece, Spain and Croatia.
Husband-and-wife team Enea La Mantia and Alice Massaria founded the business in 2020, first supplying wines and olive oils to restaurants across Sydney, including Mimi’s in Coogee and the CBD steakhouse Bistecca, before opening the Brookvale shop in June last year.
As the business celebrates its grand opening this week, the founders say the store is the first in Australia dedicated to high-polyphenol olive oils.
Bottega 1900 on Pittwater Road in Brookvale. | Image: Supplied
Enea grew up around olive groves in Calabria, southern Italy, developing a passion for extra virgin olive oil. Alongside him is Alice, an award-winning sommelier who has led wine programs at several well-known Sydney restaurants.
More than 350 products are imported directly by the founders from small producers across Europe.
“Alice and I have lived on the Northern Beaches for many years, and many people in the community encouraged us to open something like this locally,” Enea said.
“Brookvale has quietly become one of the area’s most interesting food destinations, with a strong appreciation for quality. It felt like the perfect place to create Bottega 1900, where people can discover Italian wines, traditional balsamic vinegars and high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oils.”
Alice selecting wines inside Bottega 1900’s Brookvale cellar. | Image: Supplied
A Wine Cellar Built for Tastings
At the centre of the store is a Tuscan-style wine cellar designed for tastings and small gatherings.
Regular guided tastings give visitors the chance to try Italian wines selected by Alice, including bottles more often seen on restaurant wine lists than in retail stores.
“Wine is about connection and discovery,” Alice said.
“At Bottega 1900, we focus on small producers and wines that express their region, giving people the opportunity to taste bottles they would normally only find in top restaurants.”
There’s even a small selection of artisan cheeses and salumi available for purchase, including buffalo mozzarella, Wagyu and truffle salami, many of which are served as part of the tasting experiences.
Enea and Alice during a tasting at Bottega 1900’s Brookvale cellar. | Image: Supplied
Inside Bottega 1900’s Brookvale store displaying Italian wines, olive oils and gourmet products. | Image: Supplied
High-Polyphenol Olive Oils and Traditional Balsamic
While wine plays a central role, extra virgin olive oil is another major focus at Bottega 1900.
More than 50 oils are stocked from producers across Italy, Spain, Croatia and Greece, many of them high-polyphenol varieties known for their more intense flavour, peppery finish and higher concentration of naturally occurring antioxidants compared to standard extra virgin olive oils.
Typically produced from earlier harvest olives, they retain more of these compounds and develop a fresher, more structured profile than later-harvest oils.
Despite their growing reputation among producers and chefs, Enea says high-polyphenol olive oils remain relatively unknown in Australia.
“We wanted to create a place where people can taste them, learn about them and understand what makes them so special.”
Bottega 1900 also carries traditional balsamic vinegars from Modena, including varieties aged for decades in wooden barrels. During some tasting sessions, guests can connect in real time with olive oil and balsamic vinegar producers via video call.
Enea and Alice with a selection of Italian wine and extra virgin olive oil at Bottega 1900. | Image: Supplied
Italian Gourmet Gift Hampers at Bottega 1900
Gift hampers are another feature of the Brookvale store, bringing together many of the Italian products already on its shelves.
Each box combines items such as wine, panettone, biscuits and other small-batch pantry goods sourced from independent producers, making them popular options for celebrations, seasonal gifts and client gifting.
Enea preparing Italian gourmet gift hampers inside the Brookvale store. | Image: Supplied
Artisan cheeses and salumi available at Bottega 1900’s Brookvale store. | Image: Supplied
Visiting Bottega 1900
Bottega 1900 is located at Unit 1, 537 Pittwater Road in Brookvale, close to Brookvale Oval.
Tuesday to Friday: 10am – 5pm
Saturday: 10am – 4pm
Sunday: 10am – 4pm
Monday: Closed
Guided wine tastings and private cellar events are held regularly, giving visitors the chance to explore Italian wines, olive oils and traditional balsamic vinegars in the Brookvale cellar.
Enea and Alice during a wine tasting at Bottega 1900. | Image: Supplied
Italian wine and extra virgin olive oil available at Bottega 1900. | Image: Supplied
Get Northern Beaches news in your inbox every week — it’s free. Sign up here.
Dining and Cooking