A self-guided version of a Slovenian weekend coach trip into the Conegliano–Valdobbiadene Prosecco hills — the steep, hand-worked rive that UNESCO listed as a World Heritage cultural landscape in 2019. This is Prosecco Superiore DOCG country, made from the Glera grape and climbing to the tiny Cartizze cru at the top of the quality pyramid. Two days: a loop of historic and family cellars based in Valdobbiadene, then a Collio castle-cellar in Friuli on the drive back toward Slovenia.
Before you go
- Book now: Cantina Colli del Soligo, Villa Sandi (tour + lunch), Fasol Menin, Bortolomiol, Ruge, Castello di Spessa — plus the restaurants (Villa Sandi's table and Alla Pasina).
- From Slovenia: drive Ljubljana → Valdobbiadene ≈ 190 km / 2 h 15 via A4/A27 (Italian motorway vignette/tolls apply). The Collio finish at Capriva del Friuli is only ~1 h from Ljubljana, so it sits naturally on the way home.
- Opening days: many cellars close Sunday and/or Monday — a Fri–Sat or Sat–Sun pairing is safest. Confirm each visit directly.
- Pack: a warm layer (cellars ~12–14 °C; December is cold outside too), comfy shoes for vineyard slopes, a cool bag for bottles, offline maps (signal drops between the rive).
What it costs
Estimate per person, assuming two people sharing a double room and driving your own car from Ljubljana. Excludes wine you buy to take home. Treat as a planning range, not a quote.
| Item | Notes | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel, tolls & vignette | ~400 km round trip + Italian motorway | €25–45 |
| Car rental (optional) | Only if not using your own car — compact, split between two | €0–90 |
| Hotel, 1 night | 4★ Valdobbiadene, double w/ breakfast (~€120–180/night ÷ 2) | €60–90 |
| 5 cellar tastings | Soligo, Fasol Menin, Bortolomiol, Ruge, Castello di Spessa (~€15–35 each) | €90–160 |
| 2 wine lunches | Villa Sandi (among the vines) + Alla Pasina (Bib Gourmand) | €70–130 |
| Dinner & incidentals | 1 evening in Valdobbiadene + coffees/water | €30–60 |
| Estimated total | per person, 2 sharing, own car — excl. wine purchases | ≈ €275–490 |
The route, day by day
Day 1 — Ljubljana → the Prosecco hills → Valdobbiadene
Leave early. The east-to-west run starts at the Conegliano end of the hills and finishes in Valdobbiadene, where you sleep.
Cross into the Veneto and into the heart of the "Prosecco Road" between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.
A large historic cooperative (founded 1957) in the middle of the DOCG; good for an overview of how Prosecco Superiore is made plus a flight of their Valdobbiadene and Asolo bottlings.
A 1622 Palladian villa with a famous 2 km underground cellar; book the guided tour and a table to eat local Veneto dishes paired with their wines among the vineyards.
A family winery in the UNESCO hills known for its "Art on Hillside" project — labels and artwork created with local artists.
Settle into your 4★ hotel. Evening free: stroll the town, find a wine bar or osteria for a light dinner and a glass of the local stuff.
Day 2 — Valdobbiadene → Cartizze → Collio → home
Breakfast, then the top of the quality pyramid before turning east for Friuli and the drive home.
A landmark family house (founded 1949; first to make a Prosecco Brut in 1960), now organic and run by the four Bortolomiol sisters, at the Parco della Filandetta.
A small family grower (the Ruggeri line) on Col Funer, in prime territory for Cartizze — the rare, prized cru. Taste the difference between everyday Prosecco and the top of the hill.
A Slow Food countryside osteria in a restored 19th-c. farmhouse, Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide — homemade pasta, Treviso radicchio in season, house tiramisu. Book ahead.
A medieval-origin castle estate in Friuli's Collio — fine Collio DOC whites and reds aged in cellars and a WWII military bunker beneath the castle, set in a park and golf course. A change of register (still wines, not bubbles) and conveniently on the way home.
Easy final leg back across the border.
Cellar & booking directory
- Cantina Colli del Soligo — Pieve di Soligo · historic co-op, Prosecco overview & tasting
- Villa Sandi — Crocetta del Montello · Palladian villa, 2 km cellar, vineyard lunch
- Fasol Menin — Valdobbiadene · family cellar, "Art on Hillside" labels
- Bortolomiol — Valdobbiadene · historic organic house, Parco della Filandetta
- Ruge — Santo Stefano, Valdobbiadene · small grower, Cartizze cru
- Osteria Alla Pasina — Dosson di Casier · Slow Food / Bib Gourmand lunch
- Castello di Spessa — Capriva del Friuli (Collio) · castle cellar & bunker, Collio still wines
Practical notes
- Opening days: confirm each cellar individually — several close Sunday and/or Monday. A Fri–Sat or Sat–Sun pairing is usually safest.
- Tasting costs: roughly €15–35pp per cellar; some waive the fee with a bottle purchase. Confirm when booking.
- Stay: a 4★ hotel in or just outside Valdobbiadene keeps you central for both days; book early for December and harvest weekends.
- Eat: Villa Sandi's own table for the Day 1 lunch among the vines; an osteria/wine bar in Valdobbiadene for dinner; Alla Pasina for the Day 2 lunch. Book the sit-down meals ahead.
- Driving & tolls: Italian motorways are tolled — check your vignette/sticker and carry an emergency vest and triangle. Park in town and walk the centre.
- Designated driver: spit, rotate, or hire a driver — five sparkling-wine stops in two days is a lot.
- This plan re-frames a guided coach tour. Cellars, costs and hours change — always confirm directly before you travel.