The News
Villa Sandi, a family-owned Italian winery based in Treviso, Italy, is participating in the 2026 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen from June 19–21. The winery will present two DOCG sparkling wines at its table: La Rivetta Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG Cartizze 2024 and Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG. These wines highlight the region's terroir and are part of Villa Sandi’s U.S. expansion strategy.
Villa Sandi’s debut at the 2026 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen signals a deliberate push into the U.S. premium sparkling niche. The release calls it Villa Sandi’s “first major U.S. consumer activation” and spotlights two DOCG offerings—La Rivetta Valdobbiadene Superiore Cartizze 2024 and Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG—that carry a terroir‑driven pedigree.
The vineyard’s provenance sets the wine apart. The Cartizze sub‑zone sits on a slice of the Valdobbiadene plateau where yield limits are razor‑thin, contributing less than one percent of all Valdobbi Adone DOCG output. That tiny share signals scarcity and pricing power that diverges from bulk Prosecco markets. Villa Sandi is betting on a micro‑region whose production ceiling cannot be flooded even when the broader category experiences inventory swings.
The claim of “first major U.S. consumer activation” gains traction against macro trends. U.S. sparkling wine sales grew 12.4 % in dollar terms in 2024, while volume stayed flat—a textbook illustration of premiumization. Off‑premise Prosecco volumes dipped five to eight percent between late 2023 and early 2024, correcting a supply excess in the lower‑priced DOC tier that Villa Sandi’s DOCG focus sidesteps. Standard Prosecco faces oversupply; the high‑margin DOCG segment remains insulated and poised for upward movement.
Beyond market dynamics, Villa Sandi’s global footprint adds strategic relevance. Exports reach 130 countries—a breadth few competitors can match. Yet the United States still accounts for roughly twenty to twenty‑two percent of Italian sparkling wine trade in 2024—an indicator that the brand chose Aspen as its launchpad. The U.S. market’s appetite for authenticity and terroir makes it an ideal fit for a DOCG rooted in a tightly regulated, high‑yield‑limited sub‑region.
For distributors and wholesale buyers, the message is clear: if you already carry Villa Sandi or are considering adding it, position it as a premium, terroir‑driven offering rather than lumping it with generic Prosecco. Retailers seeking to differentiate their sparkling assortment should slot Villa Sandi alongside other DOCG or high‑end Prosecco brands—perhaps creating a dedicated “Terroir” shelf section that showcases regional heritage.
On the bar side, operators can use the Aspen tasting experience as a touchpoint: highlight the vineyard’s unique Cartizze terroir and explain how its <1 % production limits translate into scarcity and higher perceived value. Even though the event was tasting‑room only, that narrative can drive demand for future shelf availability.
Distributors should prioritize limited inventory and premium positioning; retailers should create dedicated terroir sections; bars should emphasize the scarcity narrative to boost demand.
Original Press Release
The renowned Italian winery brings its top-tier DOCG sparkling selection to Colorado’s premier wine and food festival, highlighting category premiumization and regional terroir.
Treviso, Italy (May 27, 2026) – Villa Sandi, a historic family-owned winery in Italy’s Veneto region and a pioneer of premium Prosecco, is pleased to announce its upcoming presence at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen from June 19–21, 2026.
Marking the estate’s first major U.S. consumer activation since fourth-generation family members Diva and Leonardo Moretti Polegato were appointed Vice Presidents in March, the event underscores Villa Sandi’s accelerated growth and deepening commitment to the Colorado market as part of its broader U.S. expansion strategy.
At its dedicated table within the Grand Tasting Pavilion, Villa Sandi will immerse attendees in northeastern Italy's finest sparkling terroirs through a tasting of two premier DOCG expressions: the La Rivetta Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG Cartizze 2024, born from a single vineyard on the Cartizze hill—cru of the Valdobbiadene area—where a special synergy of expertise, land, and vine has enabled the production of a wine with unique features. Alongside it, the Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG offers a refined expression known for its freshness, minerality, and elegance. Together, these two wines demonstrate the remarkable depth, versatility, and premium potential of the region's highest-quality sparkling wines.
“The Aspen Food & Wine Classic is the ultimate stage to connect with sophisticated American consumers who appreciate terroir, history, and innovation, and I am so excited to be at our table this year to pour these selections and share our story,” said Diva Moretti Polegato, Vice President of Villa Sandi. “As our family steps into this next chapter of leadership, our focus is on showcasing the depth, craftsmanship, and terroir-driven quality of Italian sparkling wine in the United States. Colorado’s wine community has shown a growing appetite for premium Italian wines, and we are thrilled to bring the diverse, elevated expressions of Villa Sandi directly to Aspen’s world-class wine and culinary community.”
The festival's attendance reflects the long-term vision set by the newly appointed Vice Presidents. With the United States standing out as a top priority for the brand’s global export footprint—which spans 130 countries—the estate is actively reshaping how luxury wine drinkers perceive premium Prosecco. By securing a dedicated presence to pour these terroir-driven selections, Villa Sandi highlights its agility and forward-thinking approach under the family's next generation, meeting the demands of a U.S. market that increasingly seeks authentic regional character.
Members of the press and festival attendees can experience the portfolio firsthand by visiting the Villa Sandi table inside the Grand Tasting Pavilion throughout the weekend.
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Sources consulted (web research):
- Villa Sandi Showcases Italian Excellence At The 2026 Food Wine Classi…
- Villa Sandi Showcases Italian Excellence At The 2026 Food Wine Classi…
- Villa Sandi Showcases Italian Excellence At The 2026 Food Wine Classi…
- Villa Sandi
- Villa Sandi Northern Italy Sparkling And Still Wines
Source: BevNET