Exploring the Prosecco Wine Road: Italy’s Enchanting Veneto
Italy’s sparkling Prosecco wines are delicious. I’ve tasted them in wine regions all around the world, in beautiful places like Napa, New York, France, Italy, and Germany. However, few offer stunning natural landscapes and a level of hospitality like the Prosecco Wine Road in the Veneto region of northern Italy. It’s precisely the place where you want to avoid being the driver and the drinker.
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Cruising Italy’s Sparkling Prosecco Wines
The Road from Valdobbiadene to Congeliano
In fact there are wineries all over the Veneto region– an hour north of Venice. The wine road for Italy’s sparkling Prosecco wines runs between Valdobbiadene. It’s located at the bottom of the Dolomites west and south to the town of Congeliano. Italy’s Prosecco Wine Road is country’s oldest wine trail. Narrow winding roads (some of them dirt). All of them full of ridiculous hospitality from everyone you meet. It will warm you almost as much as the sparkling wine they make.
Honestly, the drive took my breath away. Travelers can cover the area in a three-day trek. The Prosecco Wine Road is ideal for a long weekend or a side trip from Veneto. In addition, the roads are well maintained. It’s also thrilling because, around every turn, there’s the possibility of imminent death or a stunning panorama.
What is Prosecco?
Prosecco is a dry sparkling, semi-sparkling or still white wine. It originates from the grapes grown in the town of Prosecco just outside of Trieste. And like Champagne, Prosecco is trademarked. Italy’s sparkling Prosecco wines are only found in this region of the world.
Largely under the radar of most American travelers, this 25-mile region is situated about two hours north of Veneto. Almost every inch of the narrow, meandering stretch, called La Strada del Prosecco in Italian, is surrounded by vines. Pedestrians and cyclists share the passage with cars and Vespas. Incidentally, the road connects 175 wineries, both big and small.
Wine Tasting Along the Prosecco Wine Road
Toni Doro Winery – Il Prosecco
My first stop was Toni Doro. The winery is located on a pretty hillside vineyard about 10 miles from the center of Vittorio Veneto. Elena unlocked the door to the beautiful tasting room. She opened the battery-powered blinds to reveal a luscious panoramic view of the grape wines. Then, she popped two bottles of Prosecco just for me. One was a Brut, and the other was extra dry.
Unfortunately, Elana didn’t speak much English. And, I don’t speak any Italian. There was a lot of awkward silence. I used hand signals, body language, and facial expressions to express myself. I have no idea how much of it she understood. And that was okay. Ultimately, she understood I liked the wine. So that’s really all that mattered.
Pasticceria Dolomiti
Since you’re in Italy, you owe it to yourself to make sure you get your fill of pastries. And I have a pastry Shop for you. Pasticceria Dolomiti is also a charming place to start with a coffee. It’s also a great place to end the day with some sparkling wine too.
Owner Giuseppe picked out four of his favorites for me to try. The blueberry tart with lemon and cream is absolutely luscious. It’s almost life-affirming and delicious. Every bite seemed a little decadent for breakfast. However, it was something I’d eat again if I were in the Veneto region of Italy.
Guisseppe says the success of his pastry shop rests on the use of excellent and quality ingredients. And, I agree. I loved talking about ingredient quality, their recent pastry-tasting trip to Chicago, NYC, Toronto, and Boston, wine, and much, much more. Consequently, I took their recommendations for the wineries I visited during my trip.
The Ruggeri Winery
Finally, if you make it to the end of the trail, go to Ruggeri in Valdobbiadene. And you can’t go wrong trying any of the spectacular Ruggeri’s sparkling wines.
If I remember correctly, there were more than 10 different Proseccos to choose from. But make sure you try the Vecchie Viti, which means “old vines.” Fewer than 5,000 bottles are made every year, and they are made from hand-selected vines between 80 and 100 years old.
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Comments
I love Italian coffee and pastries. I hope to visit Italy one day.
I would really really like a wine tour. Though I am not a connoisseur, I love to drink wines. So it would really be an experience for me.
Thats the fun part. No matter where you go you’ll run into someone who knows everything and wants to share it. You smell, listen and then do whatever you want to do.
Italian coffee and wine road huh. I am gonna try it. It is on my top list of travel plans.
Never heard of this I thought I knew all the wines in the world. This is a good update for me
Wine and pastry experience is definitely be added to your experience when visiting Italy. Indeed such one for the books.
I’ve always wanted to visit Italy, this post makes me want to go even more. Simply gorgeous and I love wine! Why not go to the originating country? lol
Wow, that is such a wonderful place and it is really feel so relaxing to be there most especially the wine testing.
oh, I love Italian coffee and pastries. I hope to visit Italy one day.
I think this is one of the place I will visit when I have a chance. A wine tour is so perfect for me. lol!
Oh my goodness, I’d love to be there. I’ve yet to visit a vineyard in my lifetime. I’ve never lived close enough to one. I need to make a trip I see.
I would love to go wine tasting! I’m not a huge wine drinker but I feel like it’s a must do in Italy ! Thanks for sharing
Love how you describe this awesome Prosecco. Please take me there and let me have a sip ? and of course a piece of pastry to go
This would be a dream of mine to do wine tasting in Italy. Procecco would be even better in Italy!
I don’t drink wine but I love this place ITALY has a lot beautiful places that everyone’s dream on. 🙂
This sounds like so much fun! I love prosecco!
This trip I would love to take. Prosecco is one of my favorite dessert wines and I love Italy!!
What a beautiful place to visit hope and i wish someday i will travel to experience those things such as a wine tasting, how to pick the grapes and so many more about ITALY.
I am a huge fan of sweet wines and prosecco is on my “love” list. But I must say, a trip to Italy for any reason sounds good to me!
Looks like a great place to visit in Italy. I’ll definitely go here one day with my family.
This sounds so amazing! I love posecco wine so much! I have always wanted to go on a wine tour.
I am not a fan of anything alcoholic – but my husband loves Italian wines – especially rose and white 🙂
I have a few friends who don’t drink. I still like them, lol. But they still go got the wineries because they have non alcoholic beverages too. Its often an awesome foodie experience.
I am not really a wine person but it was a super great read. However now I wish I could visit one.
They are often located in beautiful places with great food, music and people. They also serve non alcoholic drinks and ciders too. So check one out in your area.
The breathtaking beauty of vineyards and amazing delicacies. This seems like a recipe for an amazing holiday destination,
loved your article thanks for sharing.
Those are some delicious looking pastries by the way.
Som– exactly. However, the best time is prior to harvest because its so bountiful and beautiful.
This sounds like a great trip. Wine and dessert is a win/win in my book. Thanks for the suggestions of places to visit on the journey.
Renee, so true. I love the combination. Especially if it has some dark chocolate in it.
I love visiting vineyards and it would be amazing to visit one in Italy! I would love to visit Italy someday and explore the countryside.
Italy is high on the list, but Germany tops the list– it is so beautiful. the wine is delicious, the vineyards are open to the public and I love the wine festivals and experiences they offer.
I must do this next time I am in Italy!! Prosecco is one of my favourites. Thank you for sharing 🙂
I am pretty jealous of you right now! Italy is an amazing place to visit.
What an amazing opportunity that was! I loved visiting Italy too.
I would love to go and visit! I come from an Italian family and still have family in Italy. It would be so much fun to go and tour the place that part of me is from.
Italy sounds and looks like such an incredible place. I would love to travel there one day.
Italy is such an incredible country with a variety of amazing places to visit!
I didnt know about Prosecco and have never tried out before. Glad to learn it here and hope to have more of wine tasting experience.
what an incredible trip! I love Prosecco and I loved reading about where it comes from! Thanks for a great post!
I love Prosecco! Currently 31 weeks pregnant and can’t wait to enjoy some delicious wine and cheese in a few weeks ?
Congratulations, so you have a good reason to abstain– prosecco will be here when you’re ready.
I dream of visiting Italy one day and their vineyards. I am a wine lover myself, but never knew about the Prosecco Road. The scenery is stunning!
Yes it is, even more beautiful than the pictures. Tons of little vineyards to choose from.
I dream about visiting Italy and their vineyards. I actually never knew about the prosecco road. The views are stunning.
This seems like a phenomenal trip! I’m so jealous! I hope you had a great time 🙂
Cara— it was awesome!! I hope to go back to Italy again soon.
I haven’t tried a sparkling wine before, but any wine is good with me!
It’s delicious. Prosecco goes great with Italian pastries.
Those pastries look really,good. I have to admit I don’t drink sparkling wine but I know many people love Prosecco. Anything bubbly for me is a no no but I will try it one day. Hopefully.
Tara, lol the more the better in my opinion. I never once felt guilty and brought back more pastry memories than pastry regrets.
I would for sure eat lots of pastries and coffee in Italy. My husband has been wanting to visit Italy.
I never complained or felt the least bit guilty. When it comes to Italian coffee and pastries– more is better.