While many sparkling wine lovers know and appreciate Prosecco, many still don’t know that the best ones come from the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG appellation. Dotted with vineyards nestled between forests and hillsides, perched villages and a rich wine tradition of over 150 years, the region is a prime destination for wine tourism enthusiasts. So rich, in fact, that the Conegliano Valdobbiadene has been recognized in 2019 to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Geographical Location and History
The area of Conegliano Valdobbiadene is located in the northeast of Italy, only 50 kilometers from Venice and about 100 kilometers from the Dolomites mountain range.
The production of wine in Conegliano Valdobbiadene goes back as far as Antiquity, but it is only from the second half of the 18th century that we find written records of wine production. In 1876, the Enological School of Conegliano became the first school of its kind in Italy. The Consorzio di Tutela del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene was created in 1962 and the D.O.C. Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene followed in 1969. However, it was not until 2009 that the region obtained the status of D.O.C.G., the highest quality appellation designation in the country.
Ten years after obtaining the D.O.C.G., Conegliano Valdobbiadene is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This international recognition celebrates the incredible wine tradition of the region as well as its breathtaking hilly landscapes, dotted with terraced vineyards shaped by humans.
The Prosecco Road
The Conegliano Valdobbiadene region is a pioneer in Italy when it comes to wine tourism. The Strada del Prosecco e Vini dei Colli Conegliano Valdobbiadene, more commonly known as the Prosecco Road, was laid out in 1966 and is the first “wine road” created in Italy. It connects the town of Valdobbiadene to Conegliano, with 15 different municipalities and over 3,000 small producers. The road is characterized by a succession of hills with steep slopes covered with vines, which make mechanization almost impossible.
A rich and diversified tourist attraction
In addition to the main route of approximately 90 kilometers of the Prosecco Road, there are three other thematic itineraries that allow you to discover the many historical and artistic attractions and the most prestigious wines of the region.
There are historical monuments, aristocratic villas, religious buildings and ancient hot springs. The villages of Conegliano, Pieve di Soligo, Valdobbiadene and Vittorio Veneto, among others, are all worth a stop to discover. Not to mention the possibility of enjoying the regional cuisine and typical products of high quality and the great hospitality of the local people.
Prosecco Superiore Tasting
Of course, a trip to Conegliano Valdobbiadene would be incomplete without a tasting of Prosecco Superiore DOCG with and hosted by a local producer. As you can imagine, it’s not easy to choose, but the appellation’s website lists all the estates open for visits. You can even refine your search: tasting, vineyard tour, cellar tour, restaurant or accommodation on site. To do this, visit https://www.prosecco.it/en/wineries/.
To learn more and plan your visit
So, convinced to come and visit the Conegliano Valdobbiadene? Before the pandemic, the area received more than half a million tourists per year, will you be one of the next?
The Consortium’s website is obviously an infinite source of information on the region: presentation of the appellation and history of Prosecco Superiore DOCG, what to visit, where to taste, where to sleep, where to eat, etc.
Visit https://www.coneglianovaldobbiadene.it/.
The Consortium also regularly publishes a magazine Visit Conegliano Valdobbiadene that offers a multitude of activities depending on the season. It is an interesting read to plan your stay whether it is spring, summer, fall or winter, because Conegliano Valdobbiadene can be visited all year round.
For more information: https://www.coneglianovaldobbiadene.it/category/visit-conegliano-valdobbiadene/
If you love sparkling wine and wine tourism, then Conegliano Valdobbiadene should be at the top of your list for your next wine getaway. Also check out the prosecco.it website.
This article is a collaboration with Consorzio Conegliano Valdobbiadene.
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