The 9 Best Italian Wineries to Visit Near Venice

If you fly into Venice (or Verona, for that matter) you’ve hit a perfect base for visiting wineries in any number of classic northern Italian regions.

To the north lie the Trentino and Alto Adige regions, their gorgeous valleys filled with vineyards and flanked by mountains; to the northeast are the hills of Friuli, close to the Slovenian border, where some of Italy’s greatest white wines are made. Surrounding Verona is the Valpolicella region, the source for both intense Amarone reds and fresh whites from the sprawling Soave region. And there’s even one winery within the Venice Lagoon itself: Venissa, on the island of Massorbo.

These varied regions make nine great destinations to build into your wine travels, all profiled here.

Ca’ Del Bosco, Lombardy: Franciacorta

Ca’ del Bosco has long been the only winery in Italy — or likely in any country — where visitors can see a full-size rhinoceros hanging from the ceiling of the barrel room (it’s a work of art by Stefano Bombardieri, not an actual live rhino, but still). And the launch of the winery’s new hospitality center in 2023 has made visiting this benchmark Franciacorta producer even more compelling; there’s truly nothing like it in the world of wine. 

Founder Maurizio Zanella has always had a passion for art, and the estate is dotted with sculptures from artists such as Igor Mitaraj, Arnaldo Pomodoro, Zheng Lu, and others. That visual sensibility, and the idea that wine can offer more than just a taste experience, drives the concept of the new center.

From the sense-defying vintage tunnel, which connects the historic parts of the winery to its vinoteca collection, a seemingly endless passageway flanked by bottles and lit by star-like (or bubble-like) pinpricks of light, to the “Hall of the Senses,” which brings sight, smell, taste, and hearing to life in a quartet of small, visually ever-changing chambers, a visit is a remarkable experience.

The highlight is the final moment when the visitor leaves the hall of the senses to enter the “Prestige Immersion.” Made from 30,000 backlit, empty bottles of the winery’s Cuvée Prestige, this glowing golden room is reached by a walkway that then retracts into the wall; you are left suspended inside what seems to be a wine bottle of infinite bubbles, until the platform on which you stand descends slowly to the floor. It’s visually arresting, utterly magical, and, in its way, a remarkable reification of the concept of sparkling wine.

For over 50 years, Ca’ del Bosco has long been one of the premier names in Franciacorta, largely thanks to Zanella’s seemingly infinite energy and passion. Consequently, the other pleasure of a visit is, of course, simply tasting the wines, from the classic Cuvée Prestige to the tête de cuvée Annamaria Clemente (don’t overlook the winery’s still wines, either). But it’s rare to find a winery where winemaking ambition is matched equally by visual and design ambition; that’s the case here, making it a do-not-miss for any wine traveler.

Wine to try

Ca’ del Bosco Cuvée Prestige Edition 47 Brut Franciacorta
Ca’ del Bosco owner Maurizio Zanella is one of Franciacorta’s most magnetic personalities; he also makes some of its best wines. This release of the winery’s flagship non-vintage cuvée rich with brioche and apricot notes, complex, and lasting.

La Collina dei Ciliegi, Valpolicella

In Valpantena, north of Verona, in the restored sixteenth-century agricultural village of Erbin, La Collina dei Ciliegi was a wine retreat even before its vineyards were producing grapes. The entire estate covers 138 acres, ranging between 1,312 and 2,300 feet above sea level, with 77 acres of organically farmed vineyards. 

Founder Massimo Gianolli’s vision started with the Ca’ del Moro wine retreat. In the midst of the vineyards, rooms with simple elegance and a portfolio of different experiences allow guests to discover the authenticity of Valpantena. Guests can immerse themselves in woods, vineyards, and orchards on foot, on horseback, or by bicycle, following routes designed to reveal moments in history as well as beautiful landscapes, all changing with the passing of the seasons.

For the more athletic, there’s the new Pump Track: between climbs, descents, and parabolic curves (on earth, wood, and stone) the more adventurous can have plenty of fun on dirt jump bikes, mountain bikes, or e-bikes.

For people who prefer a slower, more relaxing approach, the retreat offers pilates lessons, guided yoga and meditation sessions. The estate’s “Teatro in Vigna” – a scenic space at the foot of the Prea vineyard – hosts theatre, music, and literary events. There’s also a special glamping experience: To be immersed in the vineyards in a luxurious tent, enjoying the profound silence at night, is priceless.

Tastings of the La Collina dei Ciliegi wines should also not be missed: from the Amarone, as it matures (with samples taken from barrels, ceramic jars, or amphora) to the other estate’s other wines, on up to masterclasses and vertical tastings of multiple vintages, there are plenty of options.

Last but not least, the Ca’ del Moro restaurant offers exquisite culinary experiences thanks to chef Giuseppe Lamanna. His cuisine draws on the local territory — relationships with local producers and breeders, and herbs and vegetables from the estate itself — to create flavors that summon the shores of the Mediterranean in every dish.

Wine to try

La Collina dei Ciliegi Prea Bianco 
A blend of Garganega, Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay, Prea is the latest wine from La Collina dei Ciliegi and the first born from the estate’s collaboration with the renowned French agronomists and biodynamic specialists Claude and Lydia Bourguignon. It takes its name from the parcel in the Erbin vineyard, from which it draws unparalleled depth and minerality.

Gradis’ciutta, Friuli: Collio

Friuli’s Collio region, on the border of Slovenia, is as unusual in terms of its geography as it is troubled in terms of its history. Yet despite its position on the front lines during both World War I and II, it has become, over time, one of the most valued wine terroirs in Italy. That’s thanks to an ideal microclimate, its unique “ponca” soils (a mix of sandstone and marl), and, above all, winemakers with inexhaustible energy and talent. One of those is Robert Princic, who in just 25 years has elevated his family’s simple farming work to one of the vinous symbols of the region. 

In the Gorizian village of Gradisciutta, the Princics owned vineyards before anyone else, hence Prncic’s decision in 1997 to call his company Gradis’ciutta (the apostrophe indicates the correct dialect pronunciation). A few acres that had been purchased by his grandfather were transformed by his father in the 1970s into a wine business, but one that did not bottle its own wines (they were sold to other producers in bulk).

When Princic graduated with an oenology and viticulture degree in 1997, he was given carte blanche, by his father, to revolutionize their business. Soon, he built the Princic cellar, and increased production to the current 200,000 bottles per year. Those wines come from 111 acres of vineyards located in San Floriano del Collio, Gorizia, Capriva del Friuli, and Dolegna del Collio, all farmed organically since 2018.

As this was all coming together, Princic also realized a second dream, and bought, in the heart of the village of Gradisciutta, an ancient 15th century farmhouse. That property has been transformed into an oasis of comfort and design among the green, vineyard-covered hills, with nine large rooms and three apartments centered around an internal courtyard. It’s also home to the Gradis’ciutta tasting room, as well as a swimming pool and, quite soon, a small church.

It’s the perfect base from which to explore both the history and the wines of the Collio, or to enjoy some of the Princic family’s hospitality offerings: educational harvest experiences (in season); the Collio Bianco Experience, in which you create your own white wine blend; yoga in the vineyard; e-bike rides; and cooking classes devoted to the Central European-influenced cuisine of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Wine to try

Gradis’ciutta Collio Ribolla Gialla 
Ribolla Gialla is the “border” grape par excellence: it unites the Italian Collio and Slovenian Brda regions, growing on both sides of the border. Gradis’ciutta Ribolla has intense structure and flavor, with herbal and white fruit aromas.

Franz Haas, Alto Adige

Founded in 1880, Franz Hass boasts a history that passes through eight generations of the Haas family. Down through all those years, the vines, the cellar, and, above all the name itself, have been handed down from father to son.

Franz Haas VII, who led the company from 1989 to 2022, was a conscientious proprietor with a great drive for experimentation. Perhaps for this reason he focused on the most noble, difficult, and unpredictable wine-grape variety that exists: Pinot Noir. When talking about Pinot Noir in Italy, Haas is rightly one of the first names that comes to mind.

Assisting him throughout, was his partner in life and work Maria Luisa Manna, who took over leadership of the winery after his premature death, managing it as Franz VIII progressively assumed responsibility.

In November 2021, the family inaugurated its Manna Resort, a magical place for relaxation and regeneration. Each of the 15 suites opens onto its own private terrace overlooking the bio-pool park and the vast South Tyrolean valley. There are also four independent apartments (all with a private sauna, bathtub, and fireplace) immersed in the local mix of Alpine and Mediterranean flora. The relaxation rooms of the spa are embellished with Asian-influenced details and original furnishings from ancient China, and the walls of the pool area are made of larch wood charred according to the classic Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique.

Lastly, the L’Orangerie Restaurant focuses on Mediterranean cuisine, channeling Southern Italy with fish and shellfish from Sicily, fruit and vegetables grown under the southern sun, and occasional Asian influences.

Wine to try

Franz Haas Alto Adige Pinot Noir 
Depending on the vintage the hue of this fresh, lively Pinot can shade from light ​​red to intense ruby. Inviting, lightly tannic, and subtle, it’s a stellar expression of Italian Pinot Noir.

Alois Lageder, Alto Adige

In 1823, wagon-builder Johann Lageder took on a new business and started working in the wine trade. Ever since then and across six generations, the Lageder family has dedicated itself to wine. And in 1934, the family moved its headquarters to the beautiful Löwengang estate in Magre, on the Alto Adige Wine Route, where it has remained. 

The estate was purchased by Alois Lageder’s father, who transformed it into a model for a holistic approach to wine. That starts with viticulture (today the Lageder vineyards are farmed biodynamically), and also involves breeding pigs and oxen.

In addition to keeping the vineyards next to the estate clean and fertilized, the farm animals provide raw material for the Vineria Paradeis restaurant, which also focuses on produce from the Lageders’ GrandOrto vegetable garden as well as the fruit of vineyards, orchards and olive groves. In a way, the entire property is a kind of “agricultural organism,” extending to over 100 employees and 60 or so winegrowing partners throughout Alto Adige, with wine in the center of a broader system focused on diversity. 

For several decades now, music, art, culture, and hospitality have co-existed here; for guests, this means guided tours, dinners, and events. The company is run today by Lageder’s three children: Alois Clemens is responsible for the cellar, vineyards and gardens, and sales and administration; Helena handles marketing and communication, along with Vineria Paradeis; and Anna coordinates the projects and events hosted on the estate. These range from the artistic-musical residency VIN-o-TON to the annual springtime Summa wine fair, involving wineries from around the world focused on authenticity and the environment.

Visit, take a tour, and have lunch at Vineria Paradeis, where the menu follows a root-to-table philosophy, with young chefs interpreting ancient family recipes; purchase some of the preserves and fermented products on sale in the shop; and, of course, don’t forget the wine.

Wine to try

Alois Lageder Römigberg Schiava
The South Tyrolean variety Schiava produces balanced, fresh, light-bodied reds, whose low alcohol content (10.5% in this case) makes it ideal for platters of salumi, pizzas, and lighter meat dishes; this one is an excellent example.

Masi, Valpolicella

The real question with Masi is where to start.

There are the ancient cellars of the Boscaini family in Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella and the neighboring Possessioni Serego Alighieri estate. There are Tenuta Canova in Lazise sul Garda and the Canevel winery on the hills of Valdobbiadene. And there are also the two Masi Wine Bars in Cortina d’Ampezzo and Munich, as well as the Argentine estate of Tupungato (admittedly a bit more of a trek). There is also the large, multifunctional Monteleone21 project in Gargagnago di Valpolicella, which serves as a portal for wine tourists into the lands of Amarone. 

Masi’s history stretches back to 1772, with the first harvest of the Boscaini family’s vineyards in Valpolicella. Today Masi is among the few wine companies listed on the stock exchange. Operating on a global scale, the company ranges from catering to large-scale distribution, from hotels to gifts, and from duty-free to the travel segment (ships and planes). But this Veronese group also understood early on the importance of hospitality for wine. 

The Masi Wine Experience welcomes the public to the places that embody the Boscaini family’s soul and values. Bicycle tourism is the heart of it.

You can explore Valpolicella by e-bike and visit the Serego Alighieri estate, taking advantage of packages that include guided tours; or use Tenuta Canova in Lazise as a hub for e-bike excursions to discover ​​Lake Garda (surrounded for large stretches by a panoramic cycle path) before taking a winery tour and visiting the Wine Discovery multimedia Museum; or visit the Canavel château in the UNESCO heritage Valpolicella hills.

Wine to try

Masi Valdobbiadene Brut Nature San Biagio
This vividly dry sparkling wine comes from the San Biagio cru, but its roots lie in tradition. “Prosecco sui yeasts” was in fact the first type of sparkling wine from the Treviso area, when only refermentation in the bottle was used (today Prosecco is produced using the Charmat method, in tanks). Sharp and focused on release, over time it matures in depth and complexity.

Russiz Superiore, Friuli: Collio

The Felluga family’s roots lie in the lands of Istria, where Michele Felluga first began producing wine in the early 1900s, supported by his son Marco. His nephew Giovanni moved first to Grado and then, after the Second World War, to the Collio, where the family remains today. Its recent history begins in 1956, when Giovanni’s son, Marco, founded the company that still bears his name today and then acquired, in 1967, Tenuta Russiz Superiore. Today his son Roberto follows in his footsteps together with granddaughter Ilaria, the sixth generation of this groundbreaking wine family.

Set in a hilly landscape of rare beauty, Tenuta Russiz Superiore extends across approximately 247 acres, of which 50 are vineyards. White wine is the story here (though the winery also produces a top-quality Cabernet Franc), and the reserve wines are among the best in Friuli.

Nestled next to the vineyard rows, at the edge of an ancient medieval village, there’s also the Relais Russiz Superiore, an elegant bed & breakfast. With seven rooms and a panoramic view of the surrounding hills, it is a small Friulian jewel, ideal for relaxing in nature. Guests can take advantage of guided tours and tastings (the wines of both Marco Felluga and Russiz Superiore) and also learn about the local gastronomic heritage through cooking classes.

There are also guided yoga and meditation sessions, and food and wine experiences accompanied by live music. Excursions on the paths that cross the vineyards, by foot, horseback or bicycle, are also not to be missed. Or borrow one of the Relais’ yellow Vespas, a colorful symbol of wine tourism in the Collio, and explore the art and architecture of nearby Gorizia, Cividale del Friuli, Trieste and Udine.

Finally, once a year during the summer, there’s Russiz Superiore Night, a traveling dinner among the vineyards in the name of local tradition. At sunset, guests follow a food and wine journey to discover the authentic flavors of the region, discovering and tasting step by step together with the wines of Marco Felluga and Russiz Superiore.

Wine to try

Russiz Superiore Collio Ribolla Gialla 
Ribolla Gialla is one of the signature local varieties of Friuli’s Collio region, and this expression from the Russiz Superiore finds a freshness that shines through its partial barrel aging. Its flavors suggest orchard fruits, with a chalky, mineral finish.

Venissa, Veneto: Venice

Venice is always at its best during the low season. During the slower months, you can hear Italian echoing through the alleys, the lines are shorter, and the fragile charm of the city isn’t lost in the noise of the crowds. In the summer, it has long been different: the city is essentially invaded, and the 50,000 residents who call it home, in large part, leave. Yet today a desire for change is hoping to create sustainable tourism here, a renewal that might nourish the worn-out soul of this magical place. 

Venissa is an example of this. It is located on the island of Mazzorbo, on the edge of the lagoon, and is reachable by ferry from the Santa Lucia station. It was during one of those ferry rides in 2002 that Gianluca Bisol had the idea for a project that would combine wine and hospitality. Matteo Bisol, Gianluca’s grandson, still remembers how excited his grandfather was when, to his evident surprise, he saw evidence of old vineyards on Mazzorbo. 

The Bisols have been making wine since the 16th century, and are famous, above all, for their Prosecco. But wine production in Venice and its nearby islands was wiped out by a disastrous flood in 1966. For most people, it seemed madness to restart it. But a few years later, the family decided to restart tradition and replanted a small vineyard on Mazzorbo with the Dorona di Venezie variety, a mysterious grape that can actually survive in the lagoon’s salt-rich soil. 

Thanks to the city’s new flood barriers, there is no longer any risk of the vineyard being destroyed by floods, but Venissa’s wine in many ways is not the most important aspect of this project.

Around the rows, the Bisols have created the 13-room Venissa Wine Resort, which has a Michelin-starred restaurant of the same name and a modern osteria, both led by the chef couple Chiara Pavan and Francesco Brutto. Together, they preside over the island, working with local herbs, seaweed, fish, and seafood. This is all from three estate gardens, and another ten that are managed by local residents, with the catch provided by local fishermen. Pavan and Brutto aim to interpret local traditions and the bounty of the lagoon habitat in their dishes.

The entire resort is also completely plastic-free and revolves around sustainability, providing an excellent example of how a high-level tourist destination can also take care of this fragile ecosystem at the same time; it’s a holistic approach that’s truly remarkable.

Wine to try

Venissa Veneto Bianco
Made from Dorona, a grape related to both Garganega and Tuscan Trebbiano, this golden-hued, rich yet elegant white offers citrus flavors with dried fruit nuances, and a saline finish that seems to take you back to the Venetian lagoon, where it was born.

Villa della Torre, Valpolicella

Villa della Torre represents one of the most precious jewels of the Italian Renaissance. It is the work of the masters Giulio Romano and Michele Sanmicheli, who mostly designed it in the first half of the sixteenth century, using the model of the Roman domus.

Purchased in 2008 by the Allegrini family, the complex now houses a Wine & Art Relais and is also home to the winery of the same name, along with the Marilisa Allegrini Group. In the elements that compose it, the villa reveals the ambitions of the architects of the Della Torre family, Giulio and Francesco. 

Today, the building houses ten luxury rooms, divided between Art Rooms and Wine Rooms.

The first seven, embellished with floral and geometric paintings, are the product of a remarkable restoration project and are named after characters whose stories are intertwined with the history of the Villa: Veronica Franco, Anna Maffei, Giulio Della Torre, Giulio Romano, Gian Matteo Giberti, Michele Sanmicheli, and Giovan Battista Scultori.

The wine rooms are located in the rustic annex and are dedicated to three local wines: Amarone, Valpolicella, and Lugana. Visitors not only enjoy the extraordinary architecture of the villa itself, but also walks in the vineyard, tastings of the Marilisa Allegrini Group wines (including those from her properties in Bolgheri and Montalcino), and lunches and dinners in the rooms of the Camini Mascheroni.

Wine to try

Villa Della Torre Valpolicella Classico Superiore 
Full of red berry, vanilla and spice aromas, on the palate this Valpolicella is subtle and well-integrated, with a fresh, persistent finish.