This advertising content was produced in collaboration with our partner, Bolla.
For more than a century, Italian wines have captivated the palates of American drinkers, leading the U.S. to become Italy’s most cherished export market. U.S. consumers spent more than $2.3 billion on the category last year, signaling a strengthened relationship that’s well positioned to endure. At the heart of this longstanding love affair is Bolla, a pioneer of Italian wine that has shared the soul of the region with American tables for nearly eight decades.
“For more than 140 years, Bolla has been a pioneer in Italian wine, and for nearly 80 years, it has exported to the U.S., helping shape what Americans know and love about Italian wine,” says Roberta Corrà, the CEO of Frederick Wildman & Sons and the managing director of Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV). “Our roots in Veneto, together with a forward-looking approach to winemaking, enable us to create wines that feel both timeless and relevant.”
Bolla’s story traces back to Alberto Bolla, who first discovered his passion for winemaking while working in his family’s tavern, Al Gambero, in Veneto’s Soave region. What began as a personal pursuit blossomed into a legacy after Alberto founded Bolla in 1883, when he started selling his signature white wines to local taverns and restaurants. The next iteration of Bolla was led by Alberto’s eldest son, Giorgio Bolla, an enologist who helmed the winery in the 1930s and ushered Bolla into a new era. Having recognized the potential of red wine within the territory, Giorgio expanded Bolla’s production into Pedemonte in Valpolicella, focusing on red wines that have since become renowned, such as Recioto and Valpolicella.
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The Bolla family’s impact on Italian winemaking reached new heights with the development and promotion of Amarone in the 1950s. Bolla was one of the first to recognize the region’s potential for dry red wine, and to pursue the excellence that it’s now commonly admired for. In the years since, the success of Bolla’s premium red wines has continued to grow in tandem with the winery’s expansion, resulting in production in both the Delle Venezie DOC and the Chianti DOCG. Currently, Bolla works with 100 local grape-growing families across Italy to produce premium white and red wines.
Capturing the U.S. Market
The 1940s marked a turning point for Bolla when the winery became one of Italy’s first to reach the shores of the U.S. in 1947. The wines won the hearts of wine aficionados across the East Coast, including the legendary singer Frank Sinatra, who developed an affinity for Bolla Soave, often requiring it to be served at the restaurants he visited. In fact, it was these early commitments to restaurants and the winery’s unwavering dedication to producing high-quality wines worthy of pairing with food that have made Bolla wines a staple on American wine lists and dinner tables.
Today, Bolla is a flagship brand within the GIV, one of Italy’s most influential wine distribution companies. While its vineyard holdings have expanded significantly across Veneto and beyond, Bolla remains committed to the philosophies that have shaped its identity—quality, passion, and respect for the land—while embracing modern winemaking innovations to ensure consistency and quality in every bottle.
This balance of tradition and technology has enabled Bolla to thrive on the international stage, particularly in the U.S., where it has long been recognized as a leader in Italian wine imports and a trusted name for over a century. Since the first bottles reached the U.S., Bolla has earned its position as the fifth top-selling Italian red wine in the country in terms of volume sold, and it’s maintained the number one spot for Italian reds in both New York and New Jersey.
“We love Bolla. It has been a staple at Mama Mia’s for years,” says the team at Mama Mia’s in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Bolla has been a staple at Mama Mia’s in New York for years. Photo courtesy of Mama Mia’s.
Bolla’s Timeless Appeal
With new, updated labels and packaging, Bolla announced the release of its elevated La Fondazione collection last year, furthering its mission to create wines that are approachable, versatile, and consistent, leaving a lasting impression on enthusiasts and younger consumers alike. Curated to artfully and thoughtfully showcase the complexity and personality of each region, La Fondazione includes wines from Italy’s most prestigious appellations like Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC, Valpolicella DOC, and Chianti DOCG.
“Buyers and consumers trust the Bolla name because it stands for quality, consistency, and a true taste of the region,” says Corrà. “With our La Fondazione line, we offer a versatile portfolio that works across menus and price points, encouraging guests to explore and come back for more.”
The collection also includes a Soave Classico DOC—the same crisp and versatile white wines that started it all. Bolla’s 2023 Soave Classico DOC, made primarily from Garganega and a touch of Trebbiano, is aromatic, fresh, and elegant, while the 2024 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC is similarly fresh with floral and fruity flavors.
Bolla’s reds, which have become pillars of the Italian wine category in the U.S. market, possess power and complexity along with the balanced characteristics of fruit and acidity that make the wines elegantly food-friendly. The ruby red and smooth 2024 Valpolicella Classico DOC is fruit-driven and approachable, making it a wine perfect for immediate enjoyment. The 2024 Chianti DOCG is a classic expression of Sangiovese, characterized by its soft tannins and rich, dark fruit profile.
“The dedicated staff at Villa Italia in Newburgh, New York, have been proudly serving the community for over 30 years. For the past 25 years, Villa Italia has paired its authentic Italian cuisine with the exceptional taste of Bolla Chianti,” says Sam Amato of Villa Italia. “Bolla Chianti is the perfect choice for any occasion. Its bold, smooth character complements grilled meats as well as Villa Italia’s signature pasta dishes, making it a timeless favorite among [our] guests.”
With consumers seeking wines that are authentic and approachable, Bolla’s La Foundation delivers exactly that—crisp and refreshing white wines and versatile reds that pair seamlessly with everyday dining. Elevated packaging, an accessible price point, and a range that offers shelf appeal by a family focused on ingenuity and craftsmanship, Bolla remains a symbol of tradition, heritage, and quality, and a guide to what’s next.
“Italian wine continues to capture the imagination because it’s endlessly diverse, food-friendly, and both familiar and exciting, and Bolla remains at the heart of that story for every new generation of wine drinkers,” says Corrà.
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