Bertona serves as the president of the Italy Tea & Infusions Association (AssoTè Infusi) and is the Italian delegate at the FAO Intergovernmental Group on Tea (IGG/Tea).

Bertona is a prominent figure in the Italian tea industry. Recognized as one of Italy's foremost tea promoters and an international tea expert, he has held several significant national roles, including national coordinator for Slow Food in the development of the Master of Food on Tea and as a trainer for the same program's instructors (2004-2006).

Bertona is a key reference for tea enthusiasts and professionals in Italy, frequently invited abroad as a judge in international tea evaluation competitions. He regularly participates in high-level tea meetings worldwide and delivers lectures and seminars.

For his exceptional contributions to fostering tea culture exchange between China and Europe, Bertona was honored at the Milan 2015 Expo with the prestigious award of Italian Ambassador of Chinese Tea Culture by the Organization Committee of the China Tea Cultural Week (a Chinese government agency) of the National Pavilion of China at Expo 2015.

In 2024, in China, he was recognized as one of the 99 most prominent figures in the Chinese tea industry and awarded the title of '茶人榜样' (Role Model in Tea). Selected from over 300 candidates, Bertona is one of the first non-Chinese individuals to receive this esteemed accolade, marking a significant milestone in cross-cultural recognition.

Bertona is also an accomplished author and co-author of numerous books, including:

• Tea: History, Peoples and Cultures (Luni Editrice, Milan)
• The Warrior, the Monk, the Harmony (Interbooks, Padua)
• Shaolin Temple – Cradle of Zen Buddhism and Martial Arts (Eos Editions, Novara)

His expertise has been featured in newspapers, radio, and television, with interviews and appearances on major national programs.

Bertona’s extensive knowledge and skill in tea are not limited to tasting and teaching; he has recently demonstrated his prowess as a tea maker.

He has won two prestigious awards in international tea competitions. In 2019, he won the Gold Award for his Italian Black Tea in China, and in 2020, he earned another Gold Medal for his Italian White Tea in Paris, besting over a hundred candidates from leading tea-producing countries worldwide. These achievements have earned him the nickname "The Alchemist of Italian Tea."

In 2024, Marco Bertona played a crucial role in launching the first Slow Food Tea Presidium in Sri Lanka. Thanks to his dedication and vision, the project came to life with essential technical support that ensured the excellence of the produced tea. His expertise has enhanced the traditional artisanal techniques, ensuring the project's success and underscoring his significant impact in the field.