With its lively bubbles and fruit-forward charm, Prosecco is a go-to sparkling wine for both casual sippers and seasoned enthusiasts.
If you truly want to experience Prosecco in style, consider travelling to its birthplace. Nestled between Venice and the Dolomites, Italy’s Prosecco region is a dream landscape of terraced vineyards, medieval villages, and sun-drenched hillsides. Whether you’re a sparkling wine lover, a scenery seeker, or a slow-travel enthusiast, this corner of Veneto offers plenty of relaxation and indulgence.
“A fabulous trip in a beautiful part of Italy, tasting delicious Prosecco and sharing the experience with friends. We want to do it all over again!” – Katherine, Leicester, UK
The Landscapes, Towns and Villages of Prosecco
Prosecco has two historic capitals. The first is Conegliano, an elegant, historical town and home to Italy’s first wine school. The town is scattered with friendly cafés, wine bars and artisan boutiques.
The second is Valdobbiadene, a smaller hilltop village, centred around Piazza Marconi, the main square. Valdobbiadene is more rural than Conegliano.
Both towns offer stunning views of the vine-covered hills, with landscapes that change beautifully with the seasons – from lush green in spring to deep emerald in summer and golden in autumn.
What to Eat in Prosecco
Conegliano and Valdobbiadene share the same Veneto culinary roots, but the emphasis and character of their cuisines differ in subtle but meaningful ways.
Conegliano is more urban and historically influenced by nearby Treviso and Venice.
Its cuisine tends to be slightly more refined and diverse, with seafood influences from its strong Venetian ties, and traditional trattoria dishes (think pasta and risotto). You’ll also find a wide selection of pastries and desserts.
As Valdobbiadene is smaller, more rural and closer to the mountains, the cooking is heartier and more rustic. Here, you’ll find mountain and farm style dishes, heavier flavours with game meats, and dishes featuring cheese from Monte Grappa.
Wine pairing also differs between the two. Both towns cherish Prosecco, but you won’t be short of variety in Conegliano, with a mix of Spumante, local reds and whites; while Valdobbiadene focuses intensely on Prosecco Superiore DOCG and especially Cartizze.
Should you wish to dine at any of the many restaurants in Valdobbiadene or Conegliano, we would be happy to make a table reservation and can include private transfers.
Where to Stay in Prosecco
Many of our favourite Prosecco hotels are located in between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, so easily accessible for both.
Villa Abbazia is a Relais & Châteaux property with just 18 rooms and suites, housed in an 18th-century Venetian Palazzo in Follina, a picturesque village in the heart of the Prosecco hills. This hotel is family-run and focuses on providing a friendly and personalised experience with its two restaurants, a tearoom and a beautiful private garden with an outdoor jacuzzi. There are also a number of wonderful local restaurants and wine bars within walking distance.
Hotel Villa Soligo is a 4* boutique hotel set in an 18th-century neoclassical villa, proudly part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Situated in Farra Di Soligo, guests will stay in one of 39 elegant rooms and suites, and enjoy a spa, wellness centre, and acres of beautiful surrounding parkland.
If you prefer to stay somewhere more rural, for the ultimate relaxation, we recommend San Giacomo Wine Hotel. Located at the foot of Monte Grappa, the hotel boasts a wonderful spa as well as a gourmet restaurant serving multi-course dinners with wine pairings. During the summer, the Canova garden is also open where you can relax on the sun loungers and in the warm jacuzzi.
What to Expect from Wine Tours in the Prosecco Region
The easiest way to experience the best the region has to offer is to spend one or two days with your very own private English-speaking specialist wine guide. You will be picked up from your hotel and typically taken to two small wineries which are often family owned. Each visit will offer a different experience as well as extensive tastings of different styles of Prosecco, giving you the opportunity to learn all about the technical aspects of the Prosecco-making process, and leave with an insight into grape varieties and flavours (not forgetting a newfound appreciation for this delightful sparkling wine!).
The Valdobbiadene hills are incredibly beautiful and you will have plenty of time to admire the breathtaking views as part of your day. You’ll also enjoy a leisurely break for lunch – either a light bite to eat at one of the wineries you’ll visit or perhaps the chance to dine al fresco. We’ll gladly make recommendations depending on the time of year you’re looking to visit.
Other Activities in the Prosecco Region
If your typical holiday usually involves more than just sipping glasses of delicious prosecco, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the experiences on offer. You may wish to try a hands-on cooking class in an authentic cantina under a chef’s expert guidance. Learn traditional Venetian cooking techniques and prepare a mouth-watering three-course meal, which you’ll then sit down to enjoy alongside wine, water and coffee.
Other activities that can be arranged include full-day excursions to Mount Grappa, relaxing spa days, Vespa tours, market tours, guided walking tours, hikes, and trips to nearby Treviso. Grape Escapes can tailor every detail of your trip, ensuring it’s perfectly suited to you.
Special Events in the Prosecco Region
There are many events that take place in and around the Prosecco region, meaning that whichever time of year you visit, there’s plenty going on.
Primavera del Prosecco is a food and wine festival that generally runs from March to June and takes place across multiple towns in the Conegliano and Valdobbiadene area, with events such as themed evenings, walking tours, tastings and horse riding.
Numerous small festivals and events, often centred around a specific town, occur throughout the spring. Examples include Santo Stefano di Valdobbiadene (March), San Pietro di Barbozza (March-April), and Miane (April-May).
National Prosecco Day is on August 13th. Where better to celebrate National Prosecco Day than in Prosecco itself! Events in Valdobbiadene typically focus on intimate vineyard experiences, tastings, and celebrations in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage region.
Prosecco harvest generally takes place from early September through mid-October, when Glera grapes reach their optimal ripeness. The harvest is primarily done by hand, particularly in the steep slopes of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene area, to ensure grapes are of the best possible quality. With the chance to witness harvest, September and early October are considered among the best times to visit the region, as the landscape is at its most scenic and it is particularly special to witness the arrival of the first bunches of the season.
For cycling enthusiasts, the Grand Fondo Prosecco cycling event also takes place in the area in September. Whether or not you are an avid cyclist, this festival is also a great celebration of the end of harvest season and Italy’s gastronomy. The end of race celebrations in Valdobbiadene’s piazza include plenty of Prosecco, tables of tasty bites, and the evening’s pasta party is not to be missed.
We can discuss options with you based on your preferred travel dates to ensure that you make the most out of any festivals or celebrations that may align.
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If I’ve convinced you to plan a trip to the Prosecco region, don’t hesitate to get in touch by sending me an email or giving me a call on +44 (0)1920 468 666, and I’d be delighted to help.
