Dijana Grgić takes off to the bubbling core of the Veneto, to Valdobbiadene, and savours the spumantes from Villa Sandi and prized other members of its porfolio.
Over the past couple of decades, Prosecco, which is produced primarily in Veneto as well as in smaller areas of the Friuli region, has seen a surge in global popularity. For a sparkling wine to be labeled as Prosecco, it must be made with grapes from these aforementioned regions, with the Glera variety comprising at least 85% of its composition. Notes of acacia flower, apple, pear, mango and nectarine are most often felt in Prosecco, which is typically fresh, fruity and very enjoyable.
Prosecco is produced exclusively using the Charmat (tank) method, with the heartland of Prosecco lying between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, a region in the province of Treviso, where its story began. The DOC and DOCG labels signify the quality and production area, as well as the strict regulations that producers must adhere to.
During a visit to the Veneto region organized by the WOW (Women on Wine) association from Croatia, we had the opportunity to explore three outstanding wineries, taste some of the finest Prosecco, tour top locations, and hear stories about the tradition, history, and innovation. These winemakers take great pride in their bubbly creations, and when they speak about them, it’s with genuine passion and pride.
At the start of our trip, we were warmly welcomed at the Borgo Conventi winery, part of the Villa Sandi group, which, unlike their other wineries, has maintained its identity as a boutique winery, preserving its original name. Borgo Conventi was founded in 1975 and is considered the most important winery in this small area, primarily because it changed the way wine is produced, adopting a more modern style. Gianni Vescovo wanted his wines to be varietally-recognizable, with initial production at 10,000 bottles, which has since grown to around 500,000. The winery owns 30 hectares of vineyards spread across six locations. Five years ago, the winery was acquired by Giancarlo Moretti Polegato, making it part of the Villa Sandi group.
The Villa Sandi winery is located in a beautiful 17th-century castle, surrounded by picturesque vineyards, with a wine production tradition that dates back to 1622. Villa Sandi represents the perfect blend of tradition, history, and modern winemaking, making it a popular destination for wine lovers. A visit to the castle is an unforgettable and wonderful experience, and in the cellars, there are specially designated wines reserved for the Vatican, as well as those for the Italian president.
While walking through the cellar, we also came across the Opera Amalia Moretti wine, which Giancarlo Moretti Polegato dedicated to his mother and is of exceptional importance to the family. It is important to note that at Villa Sandi, ecological methods are used for grape growing, ensuring high quality with minimal intervention and impact on the environment. By respecting nature, they ensure an unforgettable experience with every sip of their wines, day after day.
Finally, I would say, like the cherry on top of the cake, comes the story of Bottega. Prosecco, known for its excellent quality, is also easily recognizable by its design, making it impossible not to notice their gold, rose gold, and white bottles. In addition to wine, Bottega also has a distillery, which was the original business Sandro Bottega inherited from his father at the age of just 19. The distillery produces premium liqueurs, brandy, gin, and, more recently, whisky.
Bottega also has its own glass factory, where they produce bottles to meet their needs, and those needs are certainly no small numbers. It is worth noting that Bottega is committed to sustainability and the environment, using plastic collected from the ocean for their labels, implementing 17 UN sustainability programs, and recycling as much as possible. They own 65 hectares of their own vineyards and also work with subcontractors, with whom they sign five-year contracts and closely monitor their work to ensure it follows strict guidelines. During our stay, we had the opportunity to walk through the Rive di Arfanata vineyard, their premium location for Prosecco production.
Having become more familiar with Prosecco, I can understand why it is so important to Italy, where it represents their tradition, and its production requires a lot of dedicated work. As with other wines, the most important thing is the love that the winemaker invests in the wine. Prosecco is continuing to be an increasingly common choice for enjoying special moments. And that’s exactly how it should be, because Prosecco deserves it.
Photos by Dijana Grgić
