With an original interpretation of two magnums of Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG from Ca’ del Poggio, the Treviso artist honors her ancestor and the first woman to race the Giro d’Italia: the works were chosen by Mondadori for the 2025 edition of CAM
Wine and art, a theme that saw Eleonora Bottecchia already in the spotlight in 2022 with the first artistic bottle of Prosecco to enter a modern art catalog, and which is being revived today for two epic anniversaries: the 100th anniversary of Ottavio Bottecchia’s exploits in the Tour de France and Alfonsina Strada’s exploits in the Giro d’Italia.
The year 1924 is an important year in the great history of cycling: Ottavio Bottecchia – Eleonora’s ancestor – is the first Italian to win the Tour de France and, also in the same year, Alfonsina Strada becomes the first Italian cyclist in history, participating with the men in the Giro d’Italia.
“Alfonsina” and “Ottavio. Il Vincitore” are the titles of the works created by Eleonora Bottecchia: two magnums of Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG with a limited edition label for the 30th anniversary of Ca’ del Poggio, which just Saturday, May 25, will host the Giro d’Italia with the transit of the pink caravan on the Wall.
The bright colors of the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France serve as a canvas for the Unesco hills drawn without a brush with that “action painting” that characterizes Eleonora Bottecchia in her blue navies. Magnums made by the Treviso artist dress the pink jersey for the tribute to Alfonsina and gold for the memory of Ottavio’s yellow jersey.
“Ideally I dream of Alfonsina and Ottavio climbing the Ca’ del Poggio Wall, leaving an endless trail of stars, like the Trofeo Senza Fine that rewards Giro winners,” Bottecchia says. “2024 is a year full of meanings that intersect at the Giro d’Italia. After his Tour victories in 1924 and 1925, Ottavio dreamed of returning to the Giro and winning it to thank Italy and the Italians. Alfonsina, on the other hand, is a heroine of the 1920s, a woman who stood up for other women. An example for all. I imagine them first, soaring in the Mountain Grand Prix with the strength of Heroes.”
Cycling, art, history and a strong message from the 1920s of a woman who led the way for women and for women’s rights. Alfonsina was the first cyclist to compete in men’s races, breaking down the wall of prejudice. The Wall’s pink jersey is dedicated to her.
Eleonora Bottecchia’s two works were selected by Mondadori for Modern Art Catalog No. 60 – the celebrated CAM – whose 2025 edition, as per tradition, will be presented at the end of the year in Milan.
