The Prosecco Hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene (Veneto) became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 — steep vineyard-covered hills that plunge into valleys, creating a landscape of green waves. Here, Prosecco Superiore DOCG is made — a different universe from the mass-produced Prosecco DOC that fills supermarket shelves worldwide. The difference: Prosecco DOC (from the flat Veneto/Friuli plains) = €5-8, light, fizzy. Prosecco Superiore DOCG (from THESE hills) = complex, mineral, worth the drive. All wine regions →
Where: The wine road (Strada del Prosecco) runs 30km from Conegliano to Valdobbiadene through the UNESCO hills. Base yourself in: Valdobbiadene (the capital — tiny, surrounded by vineyards) or Conegliano (larger, with a wine school founded 1876). Getting there: Train Venice→Conegliano (1h, €5-8). You NEED a car to tour the hills — or book a guided tour. From Venice: 1h15 by car.
1. Bisol (Valdobbiadene): Family estate since 1542. Cartizze vineyard (the Grand Cru of Prosecco — 107 hectares producing Italy's most prestigious sparkling). Tasting: €15-30 with tour. 2. Nino Franco (Valdobbiadene): Since 1919 — the producer who pioneered premium Prosecco. Tasting from €15. 3. Adami (Col San Martino): Sustainable viticulture, steep-slope vineyards. 4. Ruggeri (Valdobbiadene): Giustino B. is their top cuvée — one of the finest Prosecco produced. 5. Col Vetoraz (Santo Stefano di Valdobbiadene): At the top of a hill with panoramic tasting room. Book 1-2 weeks ahead for tastings.
Prosecco hierarchy: Prosecco DOC (large area, flat plains — supermarket bottles). Prosecco Superiore DOCG (Conegliano-Valdobbiadene — the good stuff). Rive (single-vineyard DOCG — the best). Cartizze (the 107-hectare Grand Cru — the VERY best, €15-25/bottle at source). Grape: Glera (the ONLY grape allowed — 100%). Method: Charmat (tank fermentation — NOT Champagne method). This is not a flaw — Charmat preserves Glera's fresh, fruity, floral character. Prices at source: €7-12 for excellent DOCG. €15-25 for Rive/Cartizze. Buy a case and ship home (many producers offer international shipping). Food pairing: Prosecco + cicchetti (Venetian small bites) is the classic aperitivo in the Veneto.