Bedford International - Importers of Fine Italian Wines since 1949

The Colosseum

Mario Belardino was born in Rome, Italy and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Boston College; Georgetown University Law School, Juris Doctor in Law; University of Rome School of Law; University of Richmond, Master of Humanities.

In 1969, Mr. Belardino was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army with the rank of Captain and entered the practice of law in New York. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Belardino founded and built the Cortina Valley Ski Area in New York. At about the same time, he became a principal of Mediterranean Importing Corp., a well-known wine import and distribution company founded in 1949 by Aldo di Belardino, Mario's father. Mediterranean was responsible for the introduction into the U.S. market of successful brands such as Bertani, Fazi-Battaglia, Casal Thaulero, Mastroberardino, Ceretto, Torresella, Livio Felluga, Caparzo, and Contratto. This portfolio was acquired by Heublein Inc. in 1982.

In January of 1992, Mr. Belardino founded Bedford International, an importer of fine wines, headquartered in Larchmont, New York. Bedford specializes in representing fine wine producers for the United States market.