Bottega, Villa Gera, Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Italy

Image: A old postcard showing the vines within the Villa Gera estate

Beneath the castle of Conegliano, in the very heart of the city that gave birth to Prosecco, lies a vineyard unlike any other, planted within the walls of Villa Gera. This historic parcel, today extending over half a hectare, is home to Glera and other native varieties permitted under the Conegliano Prosecco Superiore DOCG regulations. Documentary evidence dating back to 1901 confirms the extraordinary age of these vines, many of which are over a century old. Trained using the traditional doppio capovolto (Silvoz) system, the vineyard stands as a rare and living witness to the origins of Prosecco viticulture.

An image from 1962 showing the vineyard located in the heart of the city of Conegliano

This is the only vineyard located within the city of Conegliano itself — one of the two capitals of the denomination and home to Italy’s first School of Oenology, where the Martinotti method of sparkling wine production was developed. Historically, this vineyard represented the founding nucleus of the estate, and today it remains a symbolic and cultural landmark, deeply intertwined with the identity of the appellation.

From this singular historic cru comes Conegliano Prosecco Superiore DOCG, produced in extremely limited quantities: approximately 12,000 bottles from just one hectare. The age of the vines is fundamental to the wine’s character. Decades of adaptation have shaped plants with deep, resilient root systems capable of regulating water stress and nutrient uptake, producing smaller yields of intensely concentrated fruit. The resulting wines are refined and balanced, offering an organoleptic profile that recalls the Prosecco of its origins, privileging finesse, precision, and longevity over immediacy.

The stewardship of this vineyard today belongs to Bottega S.p.A., one of the benchmark producers of Prosecco and Italian sparkling wines more broadly. While internationally recognised for its contemporary vision and technical excellence, Bottega has placed these historic vines at the centre of a long-term project aimed at safeguarding genetic and cultural heritage within the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG.

In collaboration with the Rauscedo nursery, the company has undertaken in-depth research into historic clones and vine DNA, identifying the most representative plants in order to preserve and reproduce ancient genetic material. This work is not only an act of conservation but a commitment to resilience: maintaining biodiversity, reinforcing the vineyard’s natural adaptability, and ensuring that the original genetic expression of Glera survives in the face of climate change and homogenisation.

This philosophy is fully reflected in the words of Sandro Bottega, who frames the project within a broader cultural vision: “We are honoured to be part of an organisation that brings distinction to wine culture and to global oenology by seeking out the most remote origins of this extraordinary nectar. We have always believed in respect for tradition, the environment, and the natural expression of wine, with the aim of building solid foundations from which our production can evolve—interpreting the modernity of tastes, moments of consumption, and gastronomic pairings. This association is an inspiration for all producers who share these values and who, while committed to innovation, maintain a deep connection to tradition and the most authentic history.”

Guided by this vision, Bottega S.p.A.’s approach to the historic Conegliano vineyard is one of custodianship rather than exploitation. Through integrated pest management and a “bottega-style” philosophy rooted in observation and precision, the estate protects the resilience of these old vines while allowing them to express their accumulated wisdom. More than a vineyard, this site is a living archive — safeguarding genetic memory, cultural identity, and viticultural knowledge — and reaffirming Conegliano’s enduring role at the heart of Prosecco’s most authentic history.

The historic vineyard with vines dating back to at least 1901 and the city of Conegliano in the background.

Visit: @bottegaspa