OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1890 by Agostino Vallebona, Stefano's great great grand father.
In 1890, Agostino Vallebona started trading bottarga and olive oil from Sardinia with the north of Italy and Spain. Trekking for days, sleeping in shepherds' huts in exchange for chunks of cheese, the family business was born.
In 1997, Agostino's great grandson, Stefano, moved to the UK. He spent a couple of years doing (what he calls) “research” in the elite restaurants of London, making friends with top chefs and bringing them briefcases of bottarga to use in their restaurants. He realised success was possible when truckles of cheese and hanging salami replaced the clothes in his wardrobe.
Stefano was the first Italian to trade from Borough Market. When he met his Japanese wife, Naoko, the culinary traditions of Sardinia and Gifu came together, and Vallebona evolved into London's first premium Italian-Japanese food and wine business. Combining the couple's expertise with the dedication of an exceptional team, the family business has become firmly established in London and continues to grow. Today, Vallebona is home to a beautiful shop in the heart of Wimbledon Village, complete with a cheese maturation room and intimate wine bar. Agostino would be delighted.