The 30-kilometre Strada del Prosecco between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene passes through the UNESCO World Heritage Prosecco Hills landscape: steep ciglioni terraces, bellussera-trained Glera vines and medieval village hilltops. The Rive single-vineyard programme covers 43 named sites along the route, each with distinct soil character.
Pours: Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry, Cartizze DOCG Dry, Rive single-vineyard Prosecco
Tip: Drive the Strada from Valdobbiadene south toward Conegliano to end at the historic enological school; stop at Ruggeri, Bisol and Nino Franco along the way.
The walled medieval town of Soave is one of the best-preserved castle towns in northern Italy. The Scaligeri castle dominates the volcanic basalt hillside above. The Classico sub-zone vineyards begin immediately outside the town walls; Pieropan, Prà and Coffele all offer tastings within a short drive. A full Soave Classico half-day requires three producer visits.
Pours: Soave Classico DOC, Soave Classico Superiore, Recioto di Soave DOCG
Tip: Pieropan in particular is worth booking ahead; their Calvarino and La Rocca single-vineyard Soave are among the best Italian whites at any price. Soave town itself has a small enoteca inside the castle.
The volcanic Colli Euganei (Euganean Hills) south of Padua produce a diverse range of wines including the rare Fior d'Arancio DOCG (sweet and sparkling Moscato Giallo). The spa towns of Abano Terme and Montegrotto Terme are within the DOC boundary; a wine visit pairs naturally with a half-day at the thermal pools.
Pours: Colli Euganei Rosso DOC (Merlot, Cabernet, Carmenere), Colli Euganei Fior d'Arancio DOCG (Moscato Giallo)
Tip: Fior d'Arancio DOCG is Italy's only mandatory passito-or-spumante-only DOCG for an aromatic white; try it at the winery before the thermal baths.
Crossing north through the Adige Valley and into Trentino-Alto Adige takes the visitor from Veneto's appassimento zone into the Alpine wine landscape of Teroldego, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir. The Rottaliano plain near Mezzocorona is Teroldego's exclusive zone; the Alto Adige Wine Road (Strada del Vino) runs from Bolzano south through the apple orchards and vineyard villages of the Bassa Atesina.
Pours: Teroldego Rotaliano DOC, Alto Adige Gewurztraminer DOC, Trentino Marzemino DOC
Tip: Foradori in Mezzocorona is the undisputed benchmark for Teroldego Rotaliano; Elena Walch and Tramin are the Alto Adige reference points for Gewurztraminer.
Friuli Venezia Giulia to the east of Veneto is Italy's other great white-wine territory. The Collio hillsides on the Slovenian border produce Ribolla Gialla, Friulano (Tocai), Malvasia Istriana and complex Collio Bianco blends. The Grave plain is the industrial heartland of Pinot Grigio. Producers Jermann, Schiopetto and Radikon (the latter famous for extended maceration orange wines) define the Collio range.
Pours: Collio Bianco DOC, Friuli Grave Pinot Grigio DOC, Ribolla Gialla, Friulano (Tocai)
Tip: If making the trip, include Radikon in Oslavia for the benchmark orange wine experience; Stanko Radikon's sons continue the multi-month skin-contact tradition.
Franciacorta on the shores of Lake Iseo in Lombardy produces Italy's most prestigious Metodo Classico sparkling wine from Chardonnay, Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco. The bottle-fermented wines require extended lees ageing and provide a direct stylistic comparison to Prosecco's Charmat-method freshness. Ca' del Bosco and Bellavista are the international benchmarks.
Pours: Franciacorta DOCG Brut, Franciacorta DOCG Saten, Franciacorta DOCG Blanc de Blancs
Tip: A Franciacorta day-trip pairs naturally with a lunch at a Michelin-recognised restaurant in Brescia city; the 90-minute drive from Verona west is easy on the A4.