Conegliano and Valdobbiadene Wine Region

Conegliano Valdobbiadene is a popular area with the famous Prosecco Superiore wines. It is surrounded by captivating foothills of the Alps in the Veneto wine region of Italy. Because of the excellent exposure to sunshine aromas develop well in the grapes, and each glass of wine tastes unique. If you are looking for an unparalleled wine experience, then we suggest visiting the Conegliano Valdobbiadene wine region.

Find out more about Wine Tasting and Tours in Conegliano and Valdobbiadene

Where is Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco?

Conegliano Valdobbiadene wine appellation lies in the hilly countryside situated 50 km from Venice and around 100 km from the Dolomites. It is located near the center of the Treviso province and spreads across 15 Italian towns between Conegliano to the east and Valdobbiadene to the west.

History of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco

The history of viticulture in the Conegliano Valdobbianede region dates back to ancient times. To be exact, the first signs of winemaking were found in the period of the Roman empire. One of the Roman centurion memorial stones mentions the celebration of the grape harvest, which means that harvest was a special occasion for people at that time.

San Venanzio Fortunato, Bishop of Poitiers (530-607 AD), describes Valdobbiadene as: “an area where vines bud below the high mountains, and in which the lush greenery protects the more barren zones”. This illustrates that already in the 6th century, winemaking was a common tradition in that area.

In 1574, Conegliano Valdobbiadene wine is mentiond by King Henry III of Poland. He received white wine from Conegliano hills as a gift for his coronation ceremony.

Conegliano is also the site of Italy's first winemaking school, which was opened in 1876. Since the opening of the winemaking school, the region has become a hub of winemaking innovation. However, it was only in 2009 that Conegliano Valdobbiadene became Italy’s 44th D.O.C.G.

Terroir of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Appellation

Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Appellation from the Veneto wine region is one of the most prestigious in the world, mainly because of the unique landscape of steep hills that provides such a range of flavors in one place.

The Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene are the eighth UNESCO World Heritage site in the Veneto region, and the 10th site in the world to be labeled as a “cultural landscape”. This place has a unique interaction between man and the environment.

The terroir of Conegliano Valdobbiadene is just as intriguing as you’d expect. The area is a combination of glacial and marine soils. Glaciers played an essential role in the formation of the lands around Conegliano, as they smoothed the rocky edges into hills and brought mineral deposits into the soil. That is the reason why soil is full of clay, sand, and stones, which yields grapes with more sugar.

Due to the region’s location midway between the Alps and the Sea, Valdobbiadene has a cool climate, an abundance of sunny days, and generous rainfall. Because of the appealing soil and temperate climate, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene is a perfect place to grow numerous types of grapes.

Wines of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene

While grape characteristics vary depending on the area, all the Conegliano grapes have intense fruit flavors and spicy notes in common.

Recently upgraded Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG wines are principally made with the late-ripening white variety Glera (popularly also referred to as Prosecco). These can be blended with native grape varieties like Verdiso, Bianchetta, and Perera, and non-native grapes Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay.

One of the most famous sparkling wines produced in this area is Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, which is exclusively produced in the hills of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene. This wine is made from the Glera grape variety. Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore is considered a high-quality, fresh, and light wine with balanced acidity.

Food to pair with Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco

1. Speck Alto Adige

Speck Alto Adige is a popular dish from northernmost Italy. Because of the strong connection with Australia, this distinctly flavored, smoked, and cured dish is an interesting blend of Northern European and Mediterranean traditions.

This dish is famous because of its smoky flavor. It is cooked on low-resin wood and thanks to the harsh Alpin air, takes a smoky taste in minutes. It is not surprising that the dish is featured in numerous traditional recipes but most often it is sliced thinly. You can pair this dish with Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco wine.

This dish is mostly prepared with various greens such as spinach, chard, leeks, or different herbs, which are enclosed between two layers of lard-based dough. In addition, it might have pancetta, Parmigiano Reggiano, ham, and before baking, the pie is smeared with lard. You can taste this dish with a glass of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco wine.

What you shouldn’t miss in Conegliano Valdobbiadene

1. Conegliano

A lovely small city in the Veneto region is famous as the center of Prosecco. This place was renewed in the 12th century when the nobles decided to build the caste. They also built new streets and a picturesque palace.

While visiting the city, don't miss the cathedral, with its gorgeous frescoes on the facade as well as adorning the interior. Dedicated to San Leonardo, its stately portico and tall bell tower are distinctive. Also, you can visit the Teatro Accademia that dates back to 1868. Despite the antiquity, you can still see musicals and plays there. 

2. Rock statues in San Pietro di Barbozza

If you visit the prosecco area North of Treviso, you will notice unique rock statues that look strange and beautiful at the same time. You can notice them in the square of San Pietro di Barbozza and below the village.

The story behind these statues is also very interesting. Angelo Favero, a former construction worker from San Pietro di Barbozza, started to create these statues after his retirement. The creator calls them putinòt and considers them soldiers of the Great War.

Frequently Asked Questions about Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco