Cheers to Prosecco! A Guide to Exploring Italy’s Renowned Sparkling Wine Region

Nestled in northeastern Italy's Veneto region, about 40 miles north of Venice, the Prosecco area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019. Spanning 50,000 acres of beautifully terraced vineyards, lush hills, and charming medieval towns, it radiates from Treviso. UNESCO lauded the site for preserving its rural landscape, maintaining vineyards, and protecting local traditions and biodiversity.

If you’re considering a visit (and we highly recommend it), focus on the enchanting villages of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, linked by the picturesque Prosecco Road (Strada del Vino di Prosecco). This route showcases the region's stunning beauty and rich offerings. The renowned Primavera del Prosecco Superiore festival runs from March to June, featuring a variety of events and tastings, but exploring outside the festival season is equally delightful. Read on for travel tips to Italy’s Prosecco region, including transportation, accommodations, dining, must-visit vineyards, and activities in the area.

Traveling There and Getting Around

Airlines like American Airlines, Finnair, and British Airways offer direct flights to Venice from the U.S.; from there, you can rent a car or take a one-hour train ride to Conegliano. Once you arrive, consider hiring a driver or renting a bicycle—an e-bike might be ideal given the hilly terrain. Alternatively, explore guided tours from companies like Imago Artis Travel, which provide three different Prosecco excursions. (Steer clear of one-day package tours from other operators in Venice, as they are usually overpriced and crowded with tourists.)

Accommodations

This picturesque region offers a variety of delightful bed-and-breakfasts and quaint inns, along with a few modest-sized hotels.

Foresteria Borgoluce

For an authentic farm experience, consider staying at one of the agriturismos, such as Foresteria Borgoluce in Susegana, where you can enjoy their home-produced wine, buffalo mozzarella, honey, cured meats, and even beer—your first winery stop included!

Duca di Dolle

Duca di Dolle is an upscale inn located within a former 16th-century hermitage on a vineyard estate. It features nine rooms housed in an ancient monastery, and in 2022, the hotel expanded by adding two suites in a separate building surrounded by vineyards.

Hotel Villa Abbazia

For those seeking luxury, look no further than the extravagant Hotel Villa Abbazia, a Relais & Châteaux hotel in Follina, which boasts the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the area. Another elegant choice is the historic Villa Soligo, built in 1782 and once a retreat for celebrities like Sophia Loren. After a complete renovation in 2020, it has transformed its original Palladian architecture into a contemporary hotel featuring a stunning spa and a gourmet dining experience.

Relais le Betulle

If you prefer a more budget-friendly choice, Relais Le Betulle in Conegliano offers a delightful swimming pool and competitive rates.

Ca’ del Poggio

For a home rental, consider the quaint three-bedroom Casa nel Cuore del Prosecco located in Valdobiaddene. Meanwhile, Ca’ del Poggio in San Pietro di Feletto is a cozy resort featuring 28 rooms, a restaurant, and an expansive outdoor terrace complete with a Jacuzzi. It also boasts a spa equipped with a Finnish sauna, a Turkish bath, and a compact gym, alongside bike rentals and assistance in planning your biking routes.

Must-Visit Prosecco Vineyards

Not all proseccos are equal, and if you’re exploring their homeland, you’ll want to savor the finest offerings. First, it’s essential to note that being in the Prosecco Hills means you’re already within the DOCG region, which is more exclusive than the broader DOC area in Veneto. This distinction indicates that the grapes, specifically the glera varietal, come from a smaller, more concentrated growing region in Prosecco. There are two subcategories of DOCG: Superiore, signifying that the grapes were cultivated in the 43 villages nestled between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, and Rive, which pertains to wines sourced from the steepest hills in the area—these impressive terraced hills are immediately noticeable.

Rive grapes are hand-harvested, which is practically the only method suitable for the steep slopes, ensuring that each batch remains small. Cartizze is even more exclusive and is recognized as the “Grand Cru” of prosecco. Most vineyards along the Prosecco Road are small, family-run operations that have been passed down through generations. However, there are over 100 vineyards in the region, so to help you decide, here are a few of our favorite places to visit and sample:

• Adami, Conte Collalto
• Col Vetoraz
• Bortolomiol
• La Tordera
• Tanore
• Ca’ Salina

Make sure to verify their hours on their websites before your visit—many vineyards close during lunchtime.

For a truly special experience, see when La Vigna di Sarah is holding its night harvest, which occurs annually under the full moon and is open to the public.

Dining Recommendations

While wine is undoubtedly your primary focus, you'll want something to complement all that fizz. As you travel along Prosecco Road, make sure to stop by Ristorante Da Gigetto, a gem that Luigi “Gigetto” Bortolini has run since inheriting it from his grandmother over 50 years ago. This establishment now features a gourmet menu, and its award-winning wine cellar boasts around 1,600 bottles, emphasizing local favorites like Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, and white and red wines from the Conegliano hills, as well as selections from the Piave region and Torchiato di Fregona.

For another excellent lunch choice, visit Ristorante Enoteca Salis in Valdobbiadene, named after the unique rock and soil that characterize the region's terroir. Enjoy regional specialties such as spaghetti à la chitarra with prawns and artichokes, rosemary-infused rabbit with snow peas, and, of course, tiramisu, all while taking in breathtaking views of the vineyards. If you're in the mood for something more laid-back, swing by Osteria Senz’Oste for self-serve charcuterie and cheese platters, which you can enjoy at one of the picnic tables with stunning vistas, complete with a prosecco vending machine for your bubbly fix!

If you have a craving for pizza—after all, this is Italy—head to Pizzeria Barbato in Follina for authentic Neapolitan-style pies, or try Da Pino in Treviso, one of Veneto's most renowned pizzerias. For a sweet treat, stop by Boutique Del Gelato and sample their prosecco-flavored gelato, a delightful twist on the local delicacy. For dinner, be sure to secure a reservation at the one-Michelin-starred La Corte, located within Hotel Villa Abbazia, where you can savor a traditional Venetian feast surrounded by charming fireplaces and exquisite frescoes.

Tiramisu originated in Treviso, allegedly at a place known as Toni del Spin, which serves classic seasonal dishes from Treviso in its restaurant—the tiramisu is also available in the adjoining tea room. A large wine shop is also featured on the premises.

Additional Attractions

Although your main focus might be the local vineyards, don't forget to visit historical landmarks like the Abbey of Follina and the 17th-century Croda Mill. The region boasts numerous hiking and biking trails; one to consider is the L’Anello del Prosecco, a well-marked five-mile circuit starting from San Pietro di Barbozza, passing through the villages of Santo Stefano and Saccol before looping back to San Pietro di Barbozza.