Italian Authorities Take ‘Fake’ British Prosecco to Court

(Photo: Bella Principessa)

A family-owned sparkling wine brand is being taken to court by Italian regulators over alleged misuse of the Prosecco trademark.

Bella Principessa, a British brand owned by father-son duo Ralph and Michael Goldstein, has come under fire from The Consortium for the Protection of Controlled Designation of Origin Prosecco, The Independent reported. The regulatory body has accused the duo of selling uncertified Prosecco products, and has further alleged a “long list of acts which are said to constitute an infringement of Consorzio’s rights under the regulation,” according to the judge presiding over the case.

In addition to their flagship sparkling wine, the Goldsteins run drinks importer Prosecco International and own the domain names prosecco.com and proseccodoc.com.

Despite the Consorzio’s protest, the case isn’t as cut and dry as it might appear at first glance. The Goldsteins claim that their products are produced by fourth-generation winemakers in the Veneto region of Italy. If true, that would adhere to the protected designation of origin established in 2009, which states that Prosecco can only be called “Prosecco” if produced in one of nine Italian provinces.

Bella Principessa sells a flagship Prosecco alongside a Prosecco Rosé, both of which are labeled with the phrase D.O.C. (short for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, the Italian certification for protected wines). The brand leans hard into its authenticity bona fides, advertising the product with one-word taglines like “Heritage,” “Provenance” and “Stewardship.”

“We couldn’t find a Prosecco that tasted exceptional, looked beautiful, and felt meaningful enough to share with the people who matter most. So we made one,” the brand’s promo materials state. “The Prosecco guests ask for by name. She’s beautiful. She defines Prosecco.”

This week, Judge Richard Hacon reportedly struck down a motion by the Goldsteins to have the case dismissed. Though the infringement suit is now set to proceed to the British High Court for trial, Hacon noted that the Goldsteins’ evidence “seems persuasive.”