Veneto Wines: A Complete Guide to the Region’s Finest Wines

The Veneto region, rich in charm and culture, is one of Italy’s most important wine-producing areas. Here, winemaking tradition is deeply intertwined with history, giving life to high-quality wines that are celebrated worldwide. From the rolling hills of Valpolicella to the slopes of the Euganean Hills and the vineyards overlooking Lake Garda, Veneto offers an extraordinary variety of terroirs and indigenous grape varieties, making it truly unique in the Italian wine landscape.

In this guide, we will explore the history of wine in Veneto, introduce its main wine-producing areas, and showcase the region’s most iconic wines: from Amarone della Valpolicella to Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, as well as Soave, Lugana, and many more. A journey through tradition, innovative production techniques, and an enduring passion for wine.

The viticultural history of Veneto dates back to the 7th century BC, when the Etruscans began cultivating vines that were already present in the region. The Romans further expanded viticulture and refined winemaking techniques, transforming Veneto into a land of oenological excellence. Even then, wines from Valpolicella were renowned for their exceptional quality and praised by notable historical figures such as Martial and Pliny the Elder.

During the Middle Ages, monastic communities improved viticultural practices, preserving the wine culture through times of political and social upheaval. Under the Republic of Venice, Venetian wines began to be exported across the world, thanks to merchants who introduced them to distant markets and brought back cuttings of international grape varieties. By the Renaissance, Veneto had become one of Europe’s leading wine producers, with wines gracing the tables of noble courts throughout the continent. In the 16th century, as Venice’s commercial power waned, local wine production flourished, particularly in the areas of Treviso, Vicenza, and Valpolicella.

Between the 18th and 19th centuries, climate changes and vine diseases devastated vineyards across the region. This prompted Veneto’s winemakers to study grape varieties more carefully, selecting those best suited to the region’s diverse terroirs. These efforts led to a true modernization of viticulture in the 19th and 20th centuries, with new vine species and improved winemaking methods.

Throughout the 20th century, Veneto wines gradually regained international prestige, and today, the region is one of Italy’s most celebrated, offering a wide range of labels including Amarone, Valpolicella, Soave, and Prosecco.

Veneto is home to 29 DOCs, 14 DOCGs, and 9 IGTs, spread across a varied landscape that stretches from the Dolomites to the Adriatic Sea. Each wine zone reflects its own unique identity, shaped by a mix of soils, microclimates, and winemaking traditions. This diversity allows for the production of wines with distinct personalities and a wide array of sensory profiles.

Conegliano e la Valdobbiadene

Near Treviso, in the pre-Alpine hills, lies the home of Prosecco, the sparkling wine that symbolizes Italian celebration. Here, Glera vines cover steep, terraced slopes — an area renowned for its “heroic viticulture,” so named because of the challenges posed by the terrain, which requires hand harvesting due to inaccessibility.

Colli Euganei

In the Euganean Hills, located in the province of Padua, both red and white wines are produced, along with high-quality sparkling wines. A standout of the area is the Fior d’Arancio Colli Euganei DOCG, made from Moscato Giallo grapes and available in dry, sparkling, and passito styles. Local reds, such as Colli Euganei Rosso DOC and Raboso, often blend native varieties with international ones like Merlot and Cabernet. The whites are fresh and aromatic, including Garganega, Tocai Italico, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Riesling, and the rare Pinella.

Soave

Between Verona and Vicenza lie the hills of Soave, known for producing the celebrated white wine of the same name, characterized by marked minerality. Garganega is the predominant grape, often vinified as a single varietal in the highest quality Soave wines. The blend may include Trebbiano di Soave and a small amount of Chardonnay. The area also produces Recioto di Soave, a sweet wine made from dried Garganega grapes.

Bardolino, Custoza e Lugana

On the Lombardy border, near Lake Garda there are several wine-growing areas including those of Bardolino, Custoza and Lugana. Lugana wines, made primarily from the Turbiana (also known as Trebbiano di Lugana) grape, are straw-yellow in color and valued for their floral and almond notes.
Bardolino is a light and versatile red wine made primarily from Corvina grapes. Its rosé version is called Chiaretto, a refreshing and elegant local rosé.
Bianco di Custoza is a white blend featuring Trebbiano, Garganega, and Bianca Fernanda — a clone of the Cortese grape — offering freshness and a subtle aromatic profile.

Valpolicella

To the west lies Valpolicella, a hilly area with a unique microclimate influenced by Lake Garda and sheltered by the Lessini Mountains. Valpolicella produces four styles of red wine, all made from blends of native veronese grapes varieties Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, each crafted using specific techniques.

Among these, Amarone della Valpolicella stands out: a dry, full-bodied wine made from partially dried grapes, differing from its sweet ancestor, Recioto, by undergoing complete fermentation. Another signature technique is ripasso, in which Valpolicella wine is re-fermented on the skins of Amarone or Recioto, enhancing its body, smoothness, and aromatic intensity. Valpolicella is among Italy’s most prestigious wine regions, offering exceptional red wines.