Omaha's Culinary Stars Align for New Collaborative Prosecco

OMAHA, Neb. – December 16, 2025 – In a move that bubbles with local flavor, two of Omaha's most distinct culinary institutions, Dante and Early Bird, have joined forces to launch a new private label Italian Prosecco. The collaboration marries Dante's deep expertise in Italian wine with Early Bird's celebrated brunch culture, creating a sparkling wine designed to be as fitting for a weekend brunch as it is for a holiday toast.

Announced today, the new Prosecco marks the latest addition to Dante's growing private label collection. The crisp, festive sparkler will be available by the glass and bottle at both Dante's west Omaha location and Early Bird's popular brunch spots. For consumers, it offers a unique taste of local partnership; for the restaurants, it represents a strategic fusion of brand identity and market insight.

A Partnership Rooted in Relationships

The collaboration is being hailed by its creators as a natural extension of their respective philosophies. Dante, renowned for its authentic Neapolitan pizza and one of the region's most comprehensive Italian-only wine lists, has built its brand on fostering genuine connections, from Italian vineyards to local Nebraska farms.

"Our private label wines are all about relationships—finding winemakers we love, and then sharing those wines with Omaha in a really intentional way," said Chef/Owner Nick Strawhecker of Dante in the official announcement. "Partnering with Early Bird on this Prosecco felt like such a natural fit. It's bright, playful, and perfect for everything from brunch to holiday toasts."

That sentiment is echoed by Early Bird, a restaurant that has captured a loyal following with its inventive comfort food and vibrant atmosphere, often drawing long lines of eager brunch-goers. "We've always believed brunch should feel like a little celebration," a representative from Early Bird stated. "This Prosecco brings that spirit to life. It's exactly what we want in the glass when guests are gathering with friends and family."

Crafted in Italy, the Prosecco was jointly selected by the teams from both restaurants. It is described as vibrant and refreshing, with a balanced profile designed for food-friendliness, pairing as easily with Early Bird's signature pancakes as with Dante's classic antipasti and wood-fired pizzas.

The Strategic Sparkle of Private Labels

While the partnership resonates on a cultural level, it also represents a sophisticated business strategy that is gaining traction across the hospitality industry. Dante first launched its private label wine collection in 2023, partnering with sustainable vineyards in esteemed Italian appellations to create exclusive Gavi, Barbera, Barolo, and Rosato wines. This new Prosecco is a significant expansion of that successful program.

By creating their own labels, restaurants like Dante can achieve superior profit margins, often reaching 50-55% compared to the 30-35% typical for traditionally distributed wines. This is accomplished by working directly with producers and cutting out intermediary costs. More importantly, it offers a powerful branding tool. A private label wine is a unique product that customers cannot find elsewhere, reinforcing the restaurant's identity and building a deeper sense of loyalty. It becomes a conversation starter and an exclusive experience that diners associate directly with the brand.

Furthermore, private labels are insulated from the "street pricing" that allows consumers to compare restaurant wine markups to retail costs online. This gives establishments greater control over their pricing and perceived value. For a restaurant like Dante, which has invested heavily in wine education through classes and tastings, a private label is the ultimate expression of its curatorial expertise.

Tapping into the Brunch Boom

The choice of a Prosecco is particularly timely, capitalizing on the explosive growth of brunch as a premier social occasion. Once a simple weekend meal, brunch has evolved into a weekly ritual for many, especially among Millennial and Gen Z consumers who prioritize social experiences. This cultural shift has transformed restaurant beverage programs.

The classic mimosa, a staple since the 1960s, is being reimagined. Diners now seek more elevated and unique options, from DIY mimosa bars with exotic juices to entirely new signature cocktails. The Dante-Early Bird Prosecco directly addresses this demand for a more curated experience. It offers a step up from a generic house sparkler, providing a beverage with a story, a local connection, and a quality guarantee backed by two trusted Omaha brands.

This collaboration allows Early Bird to elevate its already popular beverage service, while Dante gains access to the lucrative and culturally significant brunch market. It's a synergistic move that recognizes that modern diners are not just buying a meal; they are buying an experience, and a custom-branded sparkling wine makes that experience feel more special and memorable.

A Broader Trend of Local Collaboration

The Dante and Early Bird partnership is not an isolated event but rather the latest chapter in Omaha's growing story of local business synergy. The city's food and beverage scene has become a hotbed of creative collaborations that strengthen community ties and bolster the local economy. From partnerships like the "Bottles & Barbecue" events held by Corkscrew Wine & Cheese and Lazy Buffalo BBQ in the Blackstone District to the countless restaurants that build their menus around products from local farms and suppliers, cooperation has become a key ingredient for success.

These alliances create a virtuous cycle: businesses gain access to new customers and enhance their brand credibility, while consumers benefit from innovative products and the satisfaction of supporting their local community. In a competitive market, such partnerships serve as a powerful differentiator, proving that collaboration can be more impactful than competition. The new Prosecco is now available by the glass and bottle at both Dante and Early Bird locations, offering Omahans a new way to toast to local innovation.