Dante, Early Bird Launch Italian Prosecco Private Label

OMAHA, Neb. — Dante has partnered with Omaha-based brunch restaurant Early Bird to release a new Italian Prosecco under the Dante Private Label Wine Collection. The launch expands Dante’s growing portfolio of private-label wines.

The Prosecco will be available starting December 16. It was crafted in Italy and selected jointly by both brands. The sparkling wine is positioned as a brunch-forward option, with broader use for holiday entertaining and seasonal celebrations.

The collaboration brings together Dante’s focus on Italian wine sourcing and Early Bird’s brunch-centric dining model. The pairing reflects broader interest among restaurants in exclusive, co-branded beverage offerings. The Prosecco will be offered by the glass and bottle at both locations, with bottles also available for off-premise purchase.

According to Dante, the new release joins an existing lineup that includes Gavi, Barbera, Barolo, and Rosato. The addition further strengthens the brand’s private label strategy.

A co-branded approach to private label wine

Dante chef and owner Nick Strawhecker said the partnership aligns with the restaurant’s relationship-driven approach to wine sourcing. He explained that private label development allows the brand to work directly with winemakers. It also enables the company to tailor selections to its customer base.

Strawhecker noted that collaborating with Early Bird felt aligned because of overlapping audiences and shared emphasis on hospitality. The Prosecco, he said, was selected to fit a range of consumption occasions, from brunch service to seasonal celebrations.

Early Bird also framed the release as an extension of its dining experience rather than a standalone product launch. A representative for the restaurant said the Prosecco reflects the celebratory tone the brand aims to create during brunch service. The focus is particularly on group dining and social occasions.

Private label wines gain traction in hospitality

Restaurant-driven private label beverages have gained momentum as operators look to differentiate menus, control margins, and strengthen brand identity. Unlike traditional national wine brands, private label offerings allow restaurants to curate flavor profiles, pricing, and availability while maintaining exclusivity.

For Dante, the Prosecco expands a portfolio that already emphasizes Italian varietals and regional sourcing. For Early Bird, the collaboration provides a proprietary sparkling option that supports its beverage program without developing a full wine portfolio independently.

The release also highlights how restaurants are using limited collaborations to create incremental buzz without relying on large-scale national rollouts.

Why it matters

Restaurant-led private label programs are no longer limited to sauces and packaged foods. Wine and spirits are becoming strategic extensions of brand identity, especially for hospitality groups with loyal regional followings. By partnering instead of launching independently, Dante and Early Bird reduce development risk while expanding reach across different dining occasions.

The move reflects a broader CPG and foodservice trend: co-branded exclusives that blur the line between on-premise experience and retail-ready products. As consumers continue to seek locally rooted brands with clear provenance, collaborations like this offer a way to test private label demand without committing to national distribution.

More Sparkling News

Update: January 2026 While Dante is elevating the on-premise experience with its bespoke private label, the retail market for sparkling wine is seeing its own revolution—specifically in the wellness aisle. Lo Secco Prosecco, a zero-sugar brand from the Veneto region, has just announced a major U.S. expansion to meet the growing demand for “better-for-you” bubbles. To learn more about this keto-friendly option now shipping nationwide, read our full report on the Lo Secco Prosecco Expansion.

Editor’s note: Source86 perspective

For food and beverage brands, Dante and Early Bird’s collaboration highlights how private label strategies are evolving beyond grocery shelves. These efforts are increasingly moving into hospitality-driven ecosystems.

Co-branded products allow operators to retain control over sourcing and quality. They also provide greater control over brand storytelling. At the same time, these collaborations respond to consumer interest in exclusivity and authenticity.

At Source86, we support brands navigating private label development, ingredient sourcing, and supply chain coordination, from early-stage concepting to scalable production. As more restaurants explore proprietary beverage and food programs, having the right sourcing and FSQA infrastructure in place becomes critical to long-term success. Let’s talk.