NEW YORK, NY
ENTREPRENEUR’S CORNER DAVID NOTO, ALTANEVE PROSECCO By Lori Simmons Zelenko
hances are you’ve sipped Altaneve the luxury Prosecco exquisitely crafted by former financier David Noto, perhaps at a favorite restaurant sitting elbow to elbow with Justin Timberlake (an Altaneve fan)? Or maybe cheering on a random royal at a Polo match out East? Or even imbibing at a film festival filled with personalities whose names resonate around the globe. Altaneve Prosecco is beautiful in its presentation, elegant and award-winning, and has been deemed “Best Prosecco in The World” by The Wall Street Journal Marketwatch. As told by the charming entrepreneur who brought it stateside from the snowcapped mountains in the north of Italy, the story behind this Italian sparkler intrigues as much as this effervescent wine’s delicious taste. Dividing his time between New York City and Italy, David Noto’s constant companion is his Jack Russell Terrier, named Caoilie, a presence during wine-making and at all but the most glamorous of tastings. This pup is a true connoisseur who like his owner, joyfully embraces all that life—and Prosecco—has to offer. Let’s start at the beginning. Why did you start making Prosecco? The answer is simple. Prosecco is my favorite wine. But there is more to it than that. I grew up in a wine-making family, where my father was the first generation that did not make wine, so instead of making it, he taught me about it: wine regions and varieties. After careers in the business world—engineering, finance, etc.—I was unhappy with my life direction. So, I looked for something more meaningful and gratifying. This quest led me to an Executive MBA, and after graduation, I did some soul searching - that’s when I chose to start producing my favorite wine: Prosecco! We launched Altaneve informally in the USA in 2012. 58 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | FEBRUARY 2021
