Where is the Prosecco Region of Italy?

Last Updated on July 29, 2022 by Jo Fitzsimons

What is prosecco where is the prosecco region Italy view

The short answer is that Italy’s Prosecco region is in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia Regions, in the Northwest of Italy. In terms of visiting the Prosecco region to go wine tasting, it’s only one hour away from Venice. In this article, I will share a little bit more information about the Prosecco region. If you want the easy option, book a Prosecco Tour.

Prosecco has no Geographic Protection

While it’s correct to say that the wine tasting Prosecco region is located within Veneto, the full answer is a little more complicated.

To explain, let’s take a quick detour to France and the Champagne region. In France, their most famous sparkling wine – Champagne – has a very clear geographic location. There is a Champagne region which is located in the north east of the county. If the sparkling wine is not from the Champagne region, it’s illegal – yes, actually illegal – to call it Champagne.

This is known as a Geographic Indicator in the wine world. And, as you can imagine, the producers of Champagne from the Champagne region make sure it’s fiercely protected.

While you and I will probably (legally) be forgiven for referring to any old sparkling wine as Champagne when we raise a glass of bubbly in a toast, producers can’t put a Champagne label onto a bottle unless it’s the real deal.

Italy’s sparkling wine, however, is a little different – there is no legally protected Prosecco region i.e. Prosecco does not have a Geographic Indicator like Champagne does. Consequently, anybody who produces a sparkling wine from the Glera grape using a minimum 85% of that grape can currently call it Prosecco.

That applies to producers making Prosecco throughout all of Italy as well as in other countries where the Glera grape is grown: Argentina, Australia, Brazil and Romania are examples. Probably not the producers you have in mind when you think of Italy’s famous sparkling wine.

Prosecco in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions

But let’s get back to Italy. Although Prosecco can be produced throughout the country, there is a clear region where Prosecco production is focused, and that is within the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of northwest Italy.

Travel to the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of Italy and you’re finally within the right area of the country to track down some good Prosecco.

Prosecco DOC is produced in 9 areas across the two regions, spanning about 20,000 hectares of relatively flat land. However, narrow your search even further, focusing on the Veneto region and that’s where you’ll find the true magic – Prosecco Superior DOCG.

Want to know the quality difference between DOC and DOCG Prosecco? Check out our guide to What is Prosecco? Everything You Ever Wanted To Know

Prosecco from Conegliano and Valdbiadenne

What is prosecco where is the prosecco region Italy vines

Within the Veneto region of Italy, there is a small geographic area located between the towns of Conegliano and Valdbiadenne. Best identified for it’s steep, rolling hills, which is almost wall-like in parts, this is where you will find the best Prosecco in Italy – Prosecco Superior DOCG. It’s such a beautiful and unique area, its been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This is the area that we refer to when we talk about the Prosecco region on this website. 

Across only 6,586 hectares of land, the combination of the hilly terrain, the strictest production standards, and the location, make for the best Prosecco you can find. And having tasted Prosecco DOCG, Prosecco DOC, and just plain old Prosecco (from a supermarket in the UK, made from the Glera grape from an unknown location), we can confirm that what is produced in the Conegliano and Valdobiadene region most definitely offers a superior taste.

Cartizze – The Grand Cru of the Prosecco region

If you’re on a quest to pinpoint the best Prosecco there is, narrow your search even further and within the Veneto region, located between Conegliano and Valdobiadenne, you will find Cartizze. Around 1,000 feet above sea level, located across only 107 hectares of land, the sparkling wine produced in Cartizze is considered the best Prosecco DOCG you can find. This Rolls Royce or Grand Cru of Prosecco is so exquisite, just one hectare of vineyards within Cartizze has been estimated to be worth up to 2 million euros, making it the highest values wine land in Italy.

You may not be able to afford a hectare, but you can taste Cartizze with our Prosecco Tours.

The town of Prosecco near Trieste

to add to the confusion about the Prosecco region, type Prosecco into Google maps and you’ll find there is a town called Prosecco. It’s located in the northeast of Italy, near the city of Trieste, close to the border of Slovenia. This former town, now suburb of Trieste, is what you might call the birthplace of Prosecco because this is where the Glera grape and Prosecco wine is originally from.

However, the town of Prosecco is no longer where the best Prosecco is produced and is not the best place for tasting Prosecco. To taste Prosecco in the Prosecco region of Italy, you have to turn west and head to the two regions of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Planning A Trip To The Prosecco Region

The simplest way to visit the Prosecco Region is to book a tour. Our Prosecco tours start at €250 for your group. If you’d like to do more research or want to plan your own trip, these resources will help:

Hopefully, that gives you a brief introduction to the Prosecco. The best way to find out more is to visit the region and learn first-hand from the producers and the vineyards what goes into a good glass of your favourite sparkling wine.

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4 thoughts on “Where is the Prosecco Region of Italy?”

  1. I read that the Veneto region has lately been destroying long established forests in order to plant more vines for Prosecco production. I can’t support this and would not want to buy Prosecco from this region. What are my choices?

    Reply
    • Hi Christine, look for smaller producers and family-run vineyards. Many of the wineries we work with do not engage in this practice. If you’re not sure, email the wineries before you buy. I hope that helps.

      Reply
  2. Hiya Indiana Jo, I love this introduction to the Prosecco Region. My husband and I driving through here in June and we will definitely pop in and sample some Prosecco. We are from Australia and Prosecco is certainly on rise here and a number of my friends enjoy it compared to Sparkling. I have loved your funny and informative post. I am going to go deeper now and check out your blog. Of course now I realise we don’t have enough time set aside for our visit. We are actually coming to the region to eat at Osteria Dai Mazzeri in Follina. This has been recommended to us from an Italian/Australian chef. Grazie Mille.

    Reply
    • I’m glad you like the site. Enjoy your trip – you can always come back if you don’t have enough time during this visit!

      Reply

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