La Vita è Bolla! Celebrating 140 Years of Greatness with La Fondazione
Looking to relive your best Italian-inspired memories at home? Whether recreating summer vacation moments or bringing a taste of la dolce vita to the table is what you’re after, then pouring a glass of delicious, easy-drinking wine is a great place to start—and Bolla’s got the answer. To commemorate their 140th anniversary, Cantina Bolla has officially launched a new look for their signature La Fondazione line, featuring expressions of Soave, Pinot Grigio, Valpolicella, and Chianti. The winery has been creating high-quality wines from Italy’s most famous regions and appellations since 1883, beloved by Italian locals and Hollywood stars alike—including Frank Sinatra and Sofia Loren, two world ambassadors of Italian taste and style.
Since its earliest days, expertise, respect for tradition, and international outlook have been the foundations of Cantina Bolla’s winemaking philosophy. This commitment continues today with the estate’s newly updated packaging of the La Fondazione line. From easy-drinking Pinot Grigio and Soave to savory, food-friendly Valpolicella and Chianti, the La Fondazione wines carry on Bolla’s continuous quest for innovation while upholding their high respect for local terroir. Through it all, they remain staples on Italian-inspired tables worldwide, thanks to their refreshing and food-friendly nature.
Cantina Bolla’s rich history begins with Alberto Bolla, a passionate Venetian native who discovered his fondness for local food and wine at his family’s Soave-based taverna, Al Gambero. Bolla founded the winery with quality and respect for the land placed first, principles which were carried on by the following generation, Giorgio Bolla. Under Giorgio’s oversight, the winery expanded its operations and moved to nearby Pedemonte, located just 10 kilometers from the city of Verona. It was here that Bolla dove deeper into the production of local red wines, specifically Valpolicella and Recioto.
By the mid-20th century, Bolla released its first bottle of Amarone, which has become the heart and soul of the winery’s production. The Amarone wine style started gaining popularity the decade prior, thanks to the unique process used to create the wine—a process which was deeply studied, and ultimately mastered by Giorgio Bolla himself. In the cellar, Bolla began taking dried grapes, which were previously only used for sweet recioto wines, and vinified the wines dry. After years of experimentation and honing the winery’s house style, Bolla released its inaugural Amarone in 1953 (produced from the 1950 harvest), and is credited as being the first winery to officially label a bottle of wine as Amarone.
To celebrate its 140 years in business, Bolla has introduced its newly labeled La Fondazione line. These wines are produced using appellation-approved grape varieties and classic winemaking methods to honor the traditions of the special viticultural areas of Italy in which they’re produced. Every La Fondazione bottle boasts a signature red wax seal, an iconic element that showcases the historical importance of these wines.
The lineup begins with a signature Soave wine, produced from a traditional blend of 85% Garganega and 15% Trebbiano di Soave grown in Italy’s northeastern Veneto region. Vinified and aged sur-lie in steel, the wine offers tangy flavors of citrus, tropical fruits, and acacia honey. Pair with shellfish, fresh fish, or a variety of summer salads for a seasonal match made in heaven.
The La Fondazione range continues with a varietal Pinot Grigio, crafted entirely from fruit hailing from Veneto and Friuli. In the glass, the wine pours a beautiful pale straw yellow and exudes refreshing flavors of peach and pear—though make no mistake, this isn’t your average Pinot Grigio. Lively and fruit-forward, the wine promises to elevate at-home aperitivos and pairs perfectly with a versatile lineup of dishes (think seared scallops, grilled white fish, and a number of fresh cheeses).
La Fondazione’s journey continues through the highly regarded regions of Valpolicella and Chianti with two signature red bottlings. First is Bolla’s La Fondazione Valpolicella, made from a traditional blend of Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella aged partially in Slavonian oak barrels for approximately 3 months. The wine’s vibrant flavors of blackberry, cherry, and cinnamon make it a no-brainer for serving with ‘Sunday Supper’ favorites, including roasted red meats, grilled summer veggies, or simple-yet-satisfying spaghetti with red sauce.
Concluding the La Fondazione lineup is the winery’s savory Chianti, produced from a minimum of 70% Sangiovese sourced from hillside vineyards and aged in a combination of stainless steel and concrete tanks. The wine’s dry, fruit-forward palate makes it the ideal match for simple meat and cheese boards, classic Italian polpette (meatlballs), or classic margherita pizzas.
Additionally, each La Fondazione label depicts a coat of arms, which Bolla first became authorized to use in 1939 thanks to their role as the official supplier of high-quality wines to Italy’s Casa Reale (Royal Household). The text on the bottles is inspired by Alberto Bolla’s writing and uses a beautiful cursive text reminiscent of the time period. Together, these three elements highlight Bolla’s rich history and values, along with their commitment to high quality, respect for the land, regional traditions, and a desire to continue pursuing an innovative spirit inspired by their founding ancestors.
