From Venice to Vineyards: The Magic of Prosecco

If you find yourself in Venice, Italy, and your heart craves the romance of vineyards and stunning wines, there’s a must-do that you simply can’t miss – explore the enchanting Hills of Prosecco. This famous wine region is so close to Venice! I first discovered this beautiful area during my honeymoon in 2023. Here’s my firsthand experience on how to make it happen – no driving required. My name is Sonnay Alvarez and I have a career dedicated to all things wine so I couldn’t resist visiting Prosecco to experience Italy’s famous sparkling wine region.

The Prosecco Hills aren’t just stunning—they’re the origin of every bottle of Prosecco enjoyed around the globe. This small region in Italy is the only place that can produce Prosecco. Visiting here means experiencing the birthplace of Italy’s famous sparkling wine, where generations of winemakers pour their passion into each bottle. It’s a chance to taste Prosecco at its source, surrounded by breathtaking hillsides and vineyard views that make this bubbly so special.

I scoured the internet trying to figure out a way to visit the wineries in Prosecco without a car, but the search results had my head spinning. Then I found Yellow Boot It Wine Tours led by Carlo, a local guide who made the entire experience seamless. For $185 per person, the tour included transportation, wine tastings, and an unforgettable five-course lunch at his family’s local osteria. With Carlo’s local insight and insider connections, I knew this would be the perfect way to experience Prosecco. With everything arranged, our journey began in Venice…

Getting There

Staying on the north side of Venice, we were just five minutes from the St. Lucia Train Station—an incredibly convenient location! We first took a quick 50-minute train ride from St. Lucia to reach the wine tour pick-up point at the Conegliano Train Station. Carlo, our guide, even booked our train tickets for us, so all we had to do was show up at the station.

Once we arrived at the Conegliano Train Station, we met our tour guide and kicked off the adventure with a shot of espresso at a nearby coffee shop. Our first stop was unlike any other!

First Stop: L’Osteria senz’Oste

Our trip started at L’Osteria senz’Oste, a charming farmhouse on a hillside. I would say this was the most beautiful visit of the day. Besides the views, the story of this place is really unique and interesting. The owners run this winery on the honor system. There are no staff – just a beautiful 19th century farmhouse surrounded by miles of vineyard views and stocked with a variety of bites available for sale like their salami, cheeses, bread, and hundreds of notes from visitors filling the walls and ceilings. You take what you want then leave money in the locked box. It was delightful to hear that people usually always leave the correct amount of money or more. We spent some time writing our own notes and taking in the 180 degree views of the vineyard. Then we climbed the hill among the vines to reach the top. When I say climb, there is a bit of steep walking. It’s worth it! The pathways, the vines, the wine – it’s all so romantic. At the top, there are vending machines of wine! The juxtaposition of historic architecture and modern vending machines was surreal. We shared a bottle of their DOCG Extra Dry Vigna Sancol Prosecco. My first sip of Prosecco in Prosecco – a moment I will always cherish. It had notes of crisp apple and a candied orange peel finish with mouthwatering acidity. The wine and the views were the perfect introduction to this iconic wine region. Our next stop was just as stunning, but with a modern twist.

Second Stop: Nani Rizzi

The next winery we visited had a modern and timeless vibe in the middle of a historic town. The terrace where we sat had 360 views of the town surrounded by hills of steep vineyards. The inside of the tasting room was modern and luxurious with floor to ceiling glass windows. We took so many stunning photos that captured the beauty of the town. It was a fantastic spot for a day of wine tasting. We tried 6 of their Prosecco wines from extra brut to sweet (indicating sweetness levels). The comparative tasting is helpful if you’re new to wine and figuring out your palate. Our favorite was the Brut style Prosecco. We bought a few bottles – one bottle to enjoy later on a gondola ride through the Venetian waterways. Before we tried the wine, we got a facility tour. I work in the wine industry so I was nerding out big time! All of their equipment was HUGE compared to what I’ve seen in my local wine region back home. It was an impressive operation. This family-owned production has been making high quality Prosecco since 1887! I can’t emphasize enough how GOOD the wine is. By now, our appetites were building, and the timing couldn’t have been better.

Third Stop: Lunch at Antica Osteria di via Brandolini

Let me just say, that the tour guide was very humble when he said we were stopping at his family’s restaurant. This place was beautiful and the food was spectacular. It was a family style five course meal with wine included. The presentation was beautiful and the flavors were luscious! The food was paired with Italian wines including red, white and of course, Prosecco. Everything went so well together and the portions were the perfect size. We ate a lot of amazing food like bread, prosciutto, eggplant, roasted chicken with curry sauce, risotto, gnocchi, roasted potatoes, beef, pork, and tiramisu. We ended with a shot of espresso and we even had the pleasure of trying grappa served over gelato. Everything was incredible! It felt like we were eating at grandma’s house. The authenticity was unmatched! Fully satisfied, we were ready to experience one last winery before returning to Venice…

Fourth Stop: Enoturismo Le Rampe

The final stop was at Enoturismo Le Rampe. We sat on the terrace in front of a gorgeous farmhouse that is currently a hotel for guests. We had views of the vineyard and olive trees. They also had farm animals. It was quaint, peaceful, and serene. I had the chance to walk the vineyard and chat with the winery manager. They have such a large vineyard so I was curious how long it takes to harvest all the grapes. Turns out it takes 25 harvest workers to pick grapes in their 10 hectare (24 acre) vineyard in just 15 days. I was so impressed! After touring the vineyard we sat down and we were ready for some wine! The first wine we tried was an extra Brut Prosecco made with 100% Glera grapes sealed with a crown cap called Vigna Bianca Col Fondo which means the yeast sits at the bottom enriching the natural Prosecco flavors. The Col Fondo method is now considered trendy, so don’t let the cloudy look and sediment scare you away! As far as flavors go, the Col Fondo method provides a mineral-driven, natural and pure Prosecco compared to traditional fruit-forward Prosecco. This wine was made from a small batch from the family’s estate vineyard. And we got a surprise visit from the owner. He was happy to see us enjoying his wines. I loved how this place had a very personal touch to it.

Bubbly Dreams Come True

If you’re a fellow wine enthusiast visiting Venice, consider this your invitation to take a day trip to Prosecco, Italy. This world renowned wine region is full of beautiful history, has incredible wine-making standards, and is the #1 selling bubbly in the entire world! Tasting Prosecco wine while you’re in Prosecco, Italy is an incredible experience that brings a whole new appreciation to each sip of this iconic bubbly. Prosecco, Italy is an adventure worth every penny! And it’s an easy trip with Yellow Boot It Wine Tours – and no they are not paying me to say that! I enjoyed my time with them so much that I went on a second tour with them in September 2024. I hope you can visit Prosecco during your Venetian vacation.

A Sparkling Day in Prosecco Itinerary

8:30 am: Departure from St. Lucia Train Station to Conegliano
10:00 am: Arrive at Conegliano
10:45 am: First winery: L’Osteria senz’Oste
11:30 am: Second winery: Nani Rizzi
1:30 pm: Lunch: Antica Osteria di via Brandolini
3:30 pm: Third and final winery: Enoturismo Le Rampe
5:00 pm: Depart Conegliano Train Station to St. Lucia Train Station
6:30 pm: Back in Venice, living the dream.

Photos belong to Sonnay Alvarez. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use them.