Prosecco Road (Strada del Prosecco)

The Strada del Prosecco (Prosecco Road) is Italy's oldest wine route, winding roughly 44 kilometres through the Conegliano Valdobbiadene hills in the province of Treviso, the heartland of premium Prosecco Superiore. The steep, undulating ridges of vines were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 for their distinctive 'hogback' terraced landscape, where ranks of Glera vines climb impossibly precipitous slopes that must still be tended largely by hand. Driving or cycling the route between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, visitors pass a patchwork of vineyards, cypress-lined lanes, hilltop churches, and small family cantinas, many of which welcome visitors for tastings and cellar tours. The road links notable stops including Conegliano with its frescoed old town and hilltop castle, the hamlet of San Pietro di Feletto with its Romanesque pieve, and Valdobbiadene, the DOCG heart of production and home of the prized Cartizze cru, grown on the steepest, most sought-after slopes. Tastings at cantinas typically cost from around 10 to 20 euros and often include a flight of Brut, Extra Dry, and the rarer still and col fondo styles, frequently paired with local cheeses and salumi. A full day allows several stops, scenic viewpoints, and a leisurely lunch at an agriturismo. The landscape is at its most beautiful in spring when the hills turn green and in September and October during the grape harvest (vendemmia). Crowds are light compared with Veneto's cities, though weekends draw more visitors; a designated driver, a guided tour, or an e-bike is wise given the wine and the hilly terrain. Photographers prize the dawn and golden-hour light over the terraced ridges. Set in the rolling hills of the Veneto in northern Italy, the Prosecco Road offers a relaxed counterpoint to Venice and Verona.