Wine Travel: Discover Conegliano Valdobbiadene, The home of Prosecco Superiore

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Discover Conegliano Valdobbiadene, in the heart of the Veneto, in Northeast Italy, where Prosecco Superiore DOCG is made and thrives.

Images from the Conegliano Valdobbiadene region in Northeast Italy

Prosecco often gets lumped into one category — fresh, fruity, and inexpensive sparkling wine. But if you’re willing to look a little deeper, there’s so much more to Prosecco than it gets credit for.

Their is an amazing array of sparkling wines of Italy that are worth seeking out. We also have an entire article on Prosecco versus Champagne if interested.

Map of Conegiliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Map courtesy of the Consorzio Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore

I want you to see and experience the land where this sparkling wine stems from. I had the incredible opportunity to join a group of other wine writers on a press trip to the region last December and have a lot to say. But first let’s check out the land.

The Vineyards of Conegliano Valdobbiadene

The towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene are at the heart of this region, and the home of the highest quality DOCG Prosecco Superiore wines. And that is where I spent my time while touring in 2018.

Vineyards in Conegliano Valdobbiadene, in the Veneto wine region of Italy

It’s these steep vineyards where the grapes are grown for the highest quality DOCG Prosecco wines.

Vineyards in Conegliano Valdobbiadene in the Veneto wine region of Italy

 These vineyards get STEEP! Like woah!

Vineyards in Conegliano Valdobbiadene in the Veneto wine region of Italy

And the views are spectacular.

Vineyards in Conegliano Valdobbiadene in the Veneto wine region of Italy

Filled with vines that are never dull to look at.

Vineyards in Conegliano Valdobbiadene in the Veneto wine region of Italy

And picturesque scenes like this everywhere.

Vineyards in Conegliano Valdobbiadene in the Veneto wine region of Italy

You can experience this on what is know as La Strada del Prosecco, the wine road that is a must see. Drive the windy and sometimes steep roads that straddle Conegliano and Valdobbiadene visiting dozens of wineries along the way (you may want to hire a driver though. I’ll recommend a good one down below).

Vineyards in Conegliano Valdobbiadene in the Veneto wine region of Italy

But there’s more to see than just these spectacular vineyards.

The Wine and Food of Conegliano Valdobbiadene

The DOCG wines Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Prosecco Superiore

Identifying a wine with the DOCG logo on it (vs. DOC) is the first step. This is the highest quality in the region, and only made within these two towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.

A winemaker from Conegliano Valdobbiadene

Meet the winemakers and sip on their wines, many of which you won’t find back home in the US. You’ll find some special gems here.

Think Italy is only about pasta?

The food of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, in Northeast Italy

While you will find some pasta, this region is filled with local seafood, and fresh seasonal ingredients.

The food of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, in Northeast Italy

I was there in December, with pumpkin still in the height of its season. This was a dish made with freshly pureed pumpkin. Insane.

Risotto is also a popular dish of the region, and I had plenty of that on my first trip to the region a few years ago.

Did you know this region is also famous for its Tiramsu?! Heck yeah!

Tiramisu from the Veneto region of Italy

Where to Eat

Each day we were there, someone new would explain to me that the Veneto region is famous for Tiramisu, and brag about how great it was, but I didn’t even get to eat my first local Tiramisu until the last day I was there at lunch at Ristorante Salis in Valdobbiadene. I have to say it’s worth the hype. Holy deliciousness.

Speaking of Ristorante Salis, just outside the doors of the restaurant you’ll be greeted with this charming scene.

Rustic Bicycle outside of a restaurant in Italy

I can’t even make this stuff up.

And speaking of images. Food, wine, and vineyards are not all you’ll experience in this region.

The Culture

I can’t say enough about how charming, and gorgeous, and authentic this region feels. It feels untouched from modern society, in a good way.

Images from Vittorio Veneto
This was from the town of Vittorio Veneto
Buildings in the heart of Conegliano
Buildings in the heart of Conegliano
Images from Vittorio Veneto
Images from Vittorio Veneto
Images from the Conegliano Valdobbiadene region in Northeast Italy

I have a thing for doors.

Doors in Italy

And also windows.

Beautiful Window in Italy

And cool structures, like this Abbey located in Follina within the province of Treviso, just north of Valdobbiadene.

Abbey in Follina within the province of Treviso
Abbey in Follina within the province of Treviso

The Prosecco Vending Machine

Did you know that you could also hike to the top of a vineyard in the Cartizze subregion (where the top tier Prosecco vineyards are located) and be greeted with a Prosecco vending machine?

Prosecco vending machine located at L'Osteria senz'Oste, in Cartizze region within Valdobbiadene. Veneto, Italy.
Prosecco vending machine located at L’Osteria senz’Oste

I kid you not. Located at the L’Osteria senz’Oste — which translates to restaurant without a host — you can pick up some snacks and take a short but steep hike up to the top of the vineyard and buy a bottle of Prosecco from the vending machine. Don’t worry they offer plastic cups to drink your bubbly in 😉

L'Osteria senz'Oste, in Cartizze region within Valdobbiadene. Veneto, Italy.

Whether you buy a bottle or not, the views are spectacular from up there.

Views from Cartizze in Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy.

Planning Your Trip to Conegliano Valdobbiadene

This region is only about 40 minutes from Venice and would be worth a simple day trip, or make a weekend out of it. There is plenty to do, whether you rent a car and drive yourself or hire a driver. If you go the driver route I can’t recommend Oriana Balliana enough. She was the driver hired by our hosts, the Consorzio Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, to get us around and she was fantastic. Incredibly knowledgeable of the region and its wines as well as gracious and friendly. I highly recommend her if you are looking for a reliable driver.


Thank you to the Consorzio Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore and to Gregory White PR for the invitation and opportunity to travel through the region and learn about Prosecco Superiore. As always, all opinions are my own, as well as all photos and video production.



mary cressler headshot

Vindulge

About Mary


I'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, founder of Vindulge, and author of Fire + Wine cookbook. Thanks for stopping by!

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11 Comments

    1. Thanks so much! I try 😉
      Gotta keep you on your toes!
      I still have never sabered a bottle of bubbly, so there’s that!

  1. That Prosecco vending machine is giving me life! Also, a drinking trip, in Italy, and with all the eats, and those views! Jealous!

  2. Hi! I visited Chianti last year and loved it! I’m an aspiring sommelier and I recently wrote a blog with a wine and food pairing of King Cake and Cremant d’Alsace. What do you think of French sparkling wine vs. Italian? Have you had Cremant d’Alsace?

  3. What an AMAZING trip Mary! Stunning views, the food looks fantastic, and that Prosecco vending machine… Just too much! Your pictures are gorgeous.