The estates, domaines and châteaux worth the drive in Veneto, from first growths to grower gems.
The estates, domaines and châteaux worth the drive in Veneto, from classified growths to grower gems.
A founding force in Valpolicella winemaking since 1857, Bertani codified the long-maceration Amarone style. Owned by Tenimenti Angelini since 2021 and still operating from the historic Novare cellars.
Tasting: Cellar tours and tastings bookable at the Novare estate; group and trade visits by appointment.
Signature wines: Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso
Founded by Sergio Zenato in 1960, this estate bridges two zones: the Valpolicella hillside estates east of Negrar produce Amarone, and the Lake Garda shoreline vineyards at Peschiera yield benchmark Lugana from Turbiana.
Tasting: Tasting visits at Peschiera del Garda; both Valpolicella and Lugana wines poured.
Signature wines: Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa
The Castagnedi brothers established Tenuta Sant'Antonio in 1989 in the Mezzane valley east of the Classico zone. Their Campo dei Gigli Amarone from Oseleta and Corvina is a benchmark for the sub-zone style.
Tasting: Estate tasting visits by appointment at Mezzane di Sotto; full range of Valpolicella and Amarone poured.
Signature wines: Tenuta Sant'Antonio Amarone della Valpolicella Campo dei Gigli, Tenuta Sant'Antonio Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso
Soave estate founded 1880, run by Andrea and Dario Pieropan. Pieropan produces single-vineyard bottlings La Rocca (volcanic tufa) and Calvarino (basalt and limestone), each from distinct soils inside the Soave Classico DOC. Certified organic by Suolo e Salute since 2012.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the historic Soave cellar; bookable via the website.
Signature wines: Pieropan Soave Classico, Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca, Pieropan Soave Classico Calvarino
Founded by Giuseppe Inama in 1991, the estate spans Soave Classico hill vineyards and pioneered quality Carmenere in the Colli Berici DOC. The Vulcaia Soave from basalt soils is one of the appellation's most mineral expressions.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at San Bonifacio; Soave Classico and Colli Berici Carmenere tasting programmes.
Signature wines: Inama Soave Classico Superiore Vigneti di Foscarino, Inama Oratorio di San Lorenzo Soave Superiore DOCG, Inama Bradisismo Soave Superiore DOCG
The Gini family has farmed on the volcanic hillsides of Monteforte d'Alpone since the 17th century. La Frosca and Col Foscarin are their benchmark single-vineyard Soaves from ancient Garganega vines on basalt-rich soils.
Tasting: Estate visits and tasting flights at Monteforte d'Alpone; booking required.
Signature wines: Gini Soave Classico La Frosca, Gini Col Foscarin Soave Classico
Sisters Alessandra and Meri Tessari run this compact estate in the village of Soave producing Classico and the single-cru Monte Carbonare from centenarian Garganega vines on volcanic tufa soils.
Tasting: Tasting visits by appointment in the village of Soave.
Signature wines: Suavia Soave Classico, Suavia Soave Classico Monte Carbonare, Suavia Amedeo Recioto di Soave
Graziano Pra converted this Monteforte d'Alpone estate to organic viticulture and produces deeply terroir-driven Soave Classico Monte Grande from volcanic basalt and garnet-clay soils alongside the richer Otto bottling.
Tasting: Cellar visit and tasting at Monteforte d'Alpone by appointment.
Signature wines: Pra Monte Grande Soave Classico, Pra Otto Soave Classico
Soave cooperative founded 1898, representing 2,600 member growers across 6,000 hectares. Its premium Rocca Sveva line is entry-level access to the appellation; the visitor centre in town is walk-in friendly.
Tasting: Public tasting room open daily in Soave town; walk-in welcome.
Signature wines: Cantina di Soave Rocca Sveva Soave Classico Superiore
Roberto Anselmi famously resigned from the Soave Consorzio and declassified his wines to Veneto IGT as a protest against commercial dilution of the appellation.
Tasting: Tasting visits at Monteforte d'Alpone by appointment.
Signature wines: Roberto Anselmi San Vincenzo, Roberto Anselmi Capitel Croce, Roberto Anselmi I Capitelli
Founded in 1919 in Valdobbiadene, Nino Franco is credited with introducing quality Prosecco to international markets in the 1970s under Primo Franco. The estate produces Rive single-hill bottlings and the signature Rustico brut.
Tasting: Tasting visits at the Valdobbiadene estate by appointment; Rive single-vineyard and Rustico poured.
Signature wines: Nino Franco Rustico Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Nino Franco Grave di Stecca Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, Nino Franco Primo Franco Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Valdobbiadene estate with records dating to 1542. Acquired by the Lunelli Group (Ferrari Trento) around 2020 from the Bisol family. Produces Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG including the Cartizze single-hill designation.
Tasting: Estate visits and tastings at Valdobbiadene; DOCG Cartizze and Rive range poured.
Signature wines: Bisol Cartizze Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, Bisol Crede Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut, Bisol Relio Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry
Giuliana Bortolomiol manages this family estate founded by her father Giuliano in 1949. Known for consistently well-made Valdobbiadene DOCG across multiple styles from brut nature to extra dry.
Tasting: Wine bar and tasting room in Valdobbiadene town; walk-in and appointment visits.
Signature wines: Bortolomiol Senior Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry, Bortolomiol Ius Naturae Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut Nature
Founded in 1950 in Valdobbiadene, Ruggeri produces classic Prosecco Superiore DOCG including the historic Giustino B label, one of the zone's most-awarded extra-dry expressions.
Tasting: Visit and tasting at the Valdobbiadene winery by appointment.
Signature wines: Ruggeri Giustino B Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry, Ruggeri Oro Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry
Family estate in Vidor producing Prosecco Superiore DOCG from steep Rive hillside vineyards. The single-vineyard Vigneto Giardino from Rive di Colbertaldo is one of the zone's most admired single-cru expressions.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Vidor estate by appointment.
Signature wines: Adami dei Casel Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry, Adami Vigneto Giardino Rive di Colbertaldo Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut
Operating from a 17th-century Palladian villa in Crocetta del Montello, Villa Sandi is one of the Treviso Marca's largest premium producers. The estate spans Cartizze and Rive vineyards across the DOCG zone.
Tasting: Villa visits and wine tourism at the 17th-century Palladian villa in Crocetta del Montello; tours and tastings available.
Signature wines: Villa Sandi Il Fresco Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut, Villa Sandi Cartizze Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze Dry
A family-owned winery situated above Santo Stefano at the edge of the Cartizze grand cru hill. The estate's elevation and south-facing exposure produce complex, mineral Prosecco Superiore DOCG from pure Glera.
Tasting: Tasting visits at the hilltop estate above Santo Stefano di Valdobbiadene; Cartizze and Rive range.
Signature wines: Col Vetoraz Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze, Col Vetoraz Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut
Breganze DOC estate in Vicenza, founded by the Maculan family in 1947. Fausto Maculan revived the Torcolato dessert wine from dried Vespaiola in 1974; the Bordeaux-blend Fratta debuted in 1977. Both are flagship bottlings for the zone.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Breganze cellar; Torcolato dessert wine and Fratta flagship poured.
Signature wines: Maculan Torcolato Breganze, Maculan Fratta Breganze Rosso, Maculan Acininobili Breganze
Francesco Serafini and Antonello Vidotto established this Treviso estate in 1986, pioneering quality Bordeaux-variety production on the Montello hills. Il Rosso dell'Abazia is their flagship DOCG red.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at Nervesa della Battaglia by appointment.
Signature wines: Serafini and Vidotto Il Rosso dell'Abazia, Serafini and Vidotto Phigaia
A producer based in the Asolo hills south of Treviso, Bele Casel makes Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG with a focus on traditional field-blend varieties including Perera and Verdiso alongside the dominant Glera.
Tasting: Tastings at the winery in Caerano di San Marco by appointment; Asolo DOCG and Colli Asolani wines.
Signature wines: Bele Casel Asolo Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry, Bele Casel Costalunga Asolo Prosecco Superiore Brut
A small family estate at the foot of Montello in the Asolo DOCG zone. The Giusto family grows indigenous varieties alongside Glera for complex, lower-dosage Asolo Prosecco Superiore.
Tasting: Tasting visits at the Volpago del Montello estate by appointment.
Signature wines: Case Paolin Asolo Prosecco Superiore Extra Brut
One of the oldest estates in Bardolino, with records dating to 1649, Guerrieri Rizzardi operates vineyards on both Lake Garda shores and in Valpolicella. The on-site Museo del Vino is one of Italy's leading wine museums.
Tasting: Wine museum Museo del Vino di Bardolino on-site; open daily including tasting flight.
Signature wines: Guerrieri Rizzardi Bardolino Classico, Guerrieri Rizzardi Tacchetto Bardolino Chiaretto Classico
The Piona family estate at Sommacampagna is one of the benchmarks for Bianco di Custoza DOC, producing a crisp blend of Trebbiano, Garganega and Cortese on the morainic hills south of Lake Garda.
Tasting: Tasting visits at the Sommacampagna estate by appointment.
Signature wines: Cavalchina Bianco di Custoza, Cavalchina Amedeo Bianco di Custoza DOC
ICEA-certified organic estate at Colognola ai Colli producing Soave Classico and Valpolicella from certified-organic vineyards. A pioneer of organic viticulture in the Soave zone.
Tasting: Organic estate visits and tastings by appointment at Colognola ai Colli.
Signature wines: Fasoli Gino Soave Classico Mael
Situated in the medieval village of Arqua Petrarca on the Euganean Hills, Vignalta is a benchmark producer for the Colli Euganei Fior d'Arancio DOCG passito from Moscato Giallo and the red Gemola IGT.
Tasting: Visits and tasting at Arqua Petrarca; the Fior d'Arancio DOCG and Colli Euganei reds are the focus.
Signature wines: Vignalta Colli Euganei Fior d'Arancio Passito, Vignalta Gemola Colli Euganei
A leading producer of Piave DOC wines including the rare Raboso Piave, the zone's autochthonous red grape. The Cescon family has championed Raboso's rehabilitation in the Venetian plains since the 1960s.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at Ormelle by appointment; Raboso Piave and varietal range poured.
Signature wines: Italo Cescon Raboso Piave DOC, Italo Cescon Il Tralcetto Pinot Grigio delle Venezie
The Magnabosco family's estate on the volcanic hillsides east of Soave Classico produces well-structured Soave Superiore DOCG from the Casette Foscarin vineyard on high-elevation basalt terraces.
Tasting: Tasting visits at the Soave estate by appointment.
Signature wines: Monte Tondo Soave Superiore Casette Foscarin
A family estate on the glacial morainic amphitheater south of Lake Garda at Custoza. The estate specialises in crisp, food-friendly Bianco di Custoza DOC from Garganega, Trebbiano and Cortese.
Tasting: Tasting visits at the morainic estate in Custoza by appointment.
Signature wines: Gorgo Bianco di Custoza DOC, Gorgo Merlot Garda DOC
Montresor family estate at Peschiera del Garda specialising exclusively in Lugana DOC from the Turbiana grape. The Molceo Riserva aged on lees for over a year is among the most complex Lugana bottlings.
Tasting: Tasting visits at the Peschiera del Garda estate; Lugana DOC range.
Signature wines: Ottella Lugana DOC, Ottella Molceo Lugana Riserva DOC
The Piccoli family estate at Valeggio sul Mincio on the morainic rim of Lake Garda produces a fresh, saline Bianco di Custoza DOC alongside an interesting Garda Cabernet from south-shore hillside vineyards.
Tasting: Tasting visits at the Valeggio sul Mincio estate; bookable online.
Signature wines: Corte Gardoni Bianco di Custoza DOC, Corte Gardoni Le Fontane Garda Cabernet DOC
The Custoza cooperative was founded in 1958 as a grouping of local growers and produces a major share of the Bianco di Custoza DOC appellation.
Tasting: Public shop and tasting room at Custoza; walk-in welcome.
Signature wines: Cantina di Custoza Bianco di Custoza DOC
Founded in 1889 at the Lake Garda waterfront in Bardolino, Cantine Campagnola is one of the appellation's oldest estates producing light, food-friendly Bardolino Superiore DOCG and a range of Valpolicella.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Bardolino cellar; daily opening.
Signature wines: Cantine Campagnola Bardolino Classico DOC, Cantine Campagnola Valpolicella Classico DOC
A DOCG Valdobbiadene estate at Guia di Valdobbiadene producing single-terroir Prosecco Superiore with a focus on freshness and minerality from the steep hillside Rive vineyards.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Guia estate by appointment.
Signature wines: Foss Marai Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut, Foss Marai Drusian Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry
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Wine tastings and winery visits in Veneto (83) · Wine tours and day trips in Veneto (56) · Wine and cheese tastings in Veneto (6) · Wine tours by bike in Veneto (5)
Peak wine-travel season in Veneto is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.
classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.
most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.
tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Veneto rewards trust.