If you love sparkling wine, Italian food and beautiful countryside, the Prosecco Hills belong on your travel list.

Located in Veneto, between Venice and the Dolomites, the hills are home to Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. Awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2019, the landscape is as much a reason to visit as the wine itself.

Think steep vineyard slopes, small villages, long lunches and plenty of opportunities to discover what makes Prosecco more interesting than you might expect.

Here’s how I’d plan a trip.

Why visit the Prosecco Hills?

This is one of Italy’s most distinctive sparkling wine regions. The steep slopes make vineyard work challenging, with many grapes still harvested by hand.

Visiting different producers is a great way to explore how vineyard location and winemaking influence the wines. And with excellent local food, walking routes and historic villages to discover, there’s plenty to do between tastings.

Where to stay in the Prosecco Hills

Whether you prefer a vineyard retreat or a historic hotel, there are several options to consider.

Duca di Dolle: A vineyard retreat in Rolle, surrounded by the Conegliano Valdobbiadene hills.
Villa Abbazia: An elegant hotel in Follina for a more traditional Italian escape.
CastelBrando: A historic castle hotel overlooking Cison di Valmarino.
Relais Le Betulle: A hillside hotel above Conegliano, with vineyard views and an outdoor swimming pool.
Prime Gemme: Another option to explore when planning your stay.

My tip: Check the location of your accommodation against your planned winery visits. The roads are winding, so staying in the right area can make a real difference.

Where to eat in the Prosecco Hills

Veneto is a region to explore through its food as well as its wine. Leave room for leisurely lunches and regional specialities rather than planning every meal around a tasting.

Restaurants to research for your itinerary include:

La Corte
Salisà
Locanda Sandi
Osteria Antica Guizza
Antica Osteria di Via Brandolini

Check locations, current opening hours and booking arrangements before travelling.

Five Prosecco producers to visit

Tasting with different producers is one of the best ways to understand the region. These five are worth researching when planning your route.

Le Colture: A family-run producer in the Valdobbiadene area.
Bortolomiol: A historic Prosecco producer based in Valdobbiadene.
Col Vetoraz: A producer associated with the celebrated Cartizze vineyard area.
Andreola: Worth considering when exploring the steep vineyards around Valdobbiadene.
Biancavigna: Based in the Conegliano area, offering another perspective on the wider denomination.

Arrange tastings in advance and check directly with each winery for availability.

Make fresh pasta at Our Rustica

A wine trip doesn't have to be all about what's in your glass.

At Our Rustica, Italian chef Andrea runs hands-on cooking classes in the Venetian countryside. Learn to make fresh pasta, gnocchi and other Italian dishes, then enjoy what you've prepared alongside local wines.

It's a lovely way to experience another side of the region's food culture.

Find out more: https://www.ourrustica.com/cooking-school

Explore the hills on foot

The vineyard landscape is one of the Prosecco Hills' biggest attractions. Walking routes take you through rolling countryside, woodland and small villages, with views across the distinctive vineyard slopes.

Check distances and elevation before setting off, as some routes are steep. Comfortable shoes, water and time for a few stops along the way are essential.

Stop at Osteria Senz'Oste

Near Valdobbiadene, Osteria Senz'Oste is known for its unusual self-service concept and vineyard setting.

It's a different experience from a traditional winery visit, with the surrounding landscape adding to the appeal. Check current visitor arrangements before making the trip.

How to get to the Prosecco Hills

The region works well as an addition to a trip to Venice or Treviso.

Both cities have airports, and Conegliano is accessible by train. From there, you'll need onward transport to explore the hills.

If you're visiting several wineries, hiring a car or arranging a local driver gives you more flexibility. If you're planning to taste, organise transport in advance rather than driving between appointments.

My suggested four-day itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Venice or Treviso

Explore the city, enjoy a good meal and settle into your trip.

Day 2: Wine tasting

Head into the Prosecco Hills, check into your accommodation and visit one or two producers.

Day 3: Food and countryside

Take a walk through the hills, enjoy a cooking class at Our Rustica and leave time for a long lunch.

Day 4: One last stop

Explore a nearby village or fit in a final winery visit before heading home.

Four days gives you time to enjoy the region without rushing. With just a weekend, I'd focus on one or two wineries, a memorable meal and time to appreciate the landscape.

Is the Prosecco Hills region worth visiting?

Absolutely, particularly if you enjoy discovering the places behind the wines you drink.

The Prosecco Hills offer the chance to taste Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG where it's made, meet producers and explore the vineyards, food and villages that make the region distinctive.

The wine might get you there, but the landscape and long Italian lunches are likely to be just as memorable.

Elizabeth Hawthorthwaite x