It’s a collaboration among Venetians that brings together Cantina Bertani – owned since 2013 by Angelini Industries and recently welcomed into the Historic Families group – and the Cooperativa di Cortina, the historic consumer cooperative founded in 1893, back when Cortina was still part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This "department store" is one of the city’s landmarks, managing to preserve a sense of community spirit despite the rise of luxury brands and the glamorous atmosphere of the Pearl of the Dolomites. Six floors of goods of all kinds: from crampons to breakfast biscuits, from spanners to local cheeses, from saucepans to technical clothing – more than 100,000 items in total, making it an essential stop for anyone in town and a stronghold of local products. "By vocation, we aim to enhance the excellence of our region," says Emanuela de Zanna, director of the Cooperativa di Cortina. And the new initiative confirms just that. For several months now, the attic floor of the building has also become a gastronomic destination, which today – following its trial phase – officially opens in partnership with the Veneto-based winery, launching Casa Bertani at The Roof, Cortina Bistrot & Lounge Bar. Also from the Veneto is the chef entrusted with the menu, Graziano Prest, originally from Alpago but now an adopted Ampezzo local since taking over Tivoli, a renowned restaurant at the foot of the Tofane, 25 years ago.
The Roof: cuisine and wines from the Veneto
Open from breakfast through to dinner, The Roof offers 60 seats, many made from pressed paper, and a setting inspired by the crosere, the traditional framework of mountain barns. The décor reflects the typical mountain aesthetic, with reclaimed wood interiors complemented by contemporary design elements and branded details recalling the Bertani label. Dominating the space is the stunning panoramic terrace, with its large window offering a unique view of the Dolomites: the spectacular Cinque Torri, the Tofane, Croda da Lago, Becco di Mezzodì, and Faloria.
The collaboration between these three Veneto-based players results in a menu designed to pair with wines from the Bertani cellar: from beef cheek braised in Amarone with parsnip cream – a perfect match for Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2015 – to one of the chef’s signature dishes, Alpago lamb tortelli, made with a native sheep breed recognised by Slow Food, paired here with Valpolicella Classico Ripasso Superiore Catullo. But this is just the beginning: the partnership will continue through to 2026, when the Milano–Cortina Winter Olympic Games will attract enthusiasts from around the world. “Being in Cortina, particularly at this moment in history, adds further value to the Bertani brand,” comments Alberto Lusini (CEO of Angelini Wines & Estates), who adds: “This will be our Casa Bertani for the next three years.”
Bertani is ahead of the curve, beating the Historic Families group to the punch; they have announced the opening of a new branch of the Antica Bottega del Vino – their iconic venue originally based in Verona – in the centre of Cortina, slated for winter 2025–2026. It’s a strategic investment with the 2026 Olympics in clear sight.
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