HISTORY AND ROLE

In 1962 a group of 11 producers, representing the principal vine-growers’ cooperatives and the major sparkling wine producing companies, founded the Consorzio di Tutela del Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene (literally, Consortium for the Protection of Prosecco from Conegliano Valdobbiadene), proposing a set of production regulations to safeguard the quality and image of the wine they made. Seven years later, on 2nd April 1969, their efforts were rewarded with recognition by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture of Conegliano Valdobbiadene as the only D.O.C. zone for the production of Prosecco and of Superiore di Cartizze. Today the Consortium groups together almost all of the producers in the area and its task of protecting the Denomination has become increasingly important; indeed, it was decisive for obtaining the D.O.C.G for ConeglianoValdobbiadene, which took place in August 2010.

 

The Consortium is a private body of public interest, and groups together all the categories of producers: vine-growers, wine producers and bottlers. Through its technical teams and its collaboration with the various research Institutes, it carries out important work aimed towards improving techniques in the vineyard and in the winery, providing both practical assistance and training.

The Consortium supervises all stages of production from planting to pruning, as well as deciding the date of harvesting and watching over vinification practices.

 

As well as promoting the development of viticultural and winemaking techniques, the Consortium’s efforts are geared towards guaranteeing and improving the quality of Conegliano Valdobbiadene. To this end, it works in conjunction with Valoritalia, a foundation created in 2005 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry for the quality control and traceability of products. As an attentive observer of the market and of changes in tastes and lifestyles, the Consortium acts as an important point of reference. Its role also involves explaining and protecting the image of Conegliano Valdobbiadene in Italy and abroad, by organizing events, tastings and P.R. campaigns.

 

In parallel with seeking D.O.C.G. recognition, the Consortium has also initiated an important programme to analyse and develop the values of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene brand, with the objective of devoting attention to the development of the area, to environmental sustainability, to the promotion of history as a blueprint for designing the future and to preserving the superior quality of the area’s fine wines.