Nino Franco

Nino Franco was founded in 1919 in Valdobbiadene by Antonio Franco, who established what would become one of the appellation's most internationally recognised producers. The estate's name honors Antonio's son Nino, who took over operations through the post-war decades. Third-generation Primo Franco transformed the estate's international profile from the 1980s onward, pioneering quality-focused viticulture (lower yields, hand harvest, hillside focus) and modern Prosecco export at a time when Conegliano Valdobbiadene was still building its global reputation. Primo Franco's vision positioned the estate as the export face of quality Valdobbiadene, with the Rustico bottling becoming a benchmark commercial reference. Today, fourth-generation Silvia Franco continues the legacy, maintaining the estate's reputation for refinement and quality across the Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG range.

• Founded 1919 in Valdobbiadene by Antonio Franco; one of the oldest Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG estates
• Primo Franco (third generation, from 1980s): pioneered quality-focused viticulture and modern Prosecco export
• Rustico bottling named Wine Enthusiast's #1 wine of 2019; benchmark commercial reference
• Fourth-generation Silvia Franco continues the legacy; continuous family ownership across 100+ years

Nino Franco works hillside vineyards across the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG zone, with the estate based in Valdobbiadene itself near the heart of the UNESCO-listed hogback hills. The Primo Franco flagship comes from certified-organic estate vineyards. Beyond the estate's own holdings, Nino Franco sources from trusted long-term grower partners under contract, with all fruit selected from hillside parcels rather than flatland sites. The Rive di San Floriano single-vineyard bottling reflects site-specific terroir from one of the 43 named Rive within the DOCG. Vineyards sit at 100-400 metres elevation on ciglioni-terraced slopes; soils vary from ancient moraines and sandstone in Valdobbiadene's western parts to clay-marl in the eastern Conegliano sector.

• Hillside vineyards across Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG zone; estate based in Valdobbiadene at the heart of UNESCO-listed hogback hills
• Primo Franco flagship from certified-organic estate vineyards
• Long-term grower partner sourcing under contract; all fruit from hillside parcels rather than flatland sites
• Rive di San Floriano: single-vineyard bottling from one of the 43 named Rive within the DOCG

Nino Franco practices traditional Charmat (Martinotti) tank fermentation with extended secondary fermentation periods that distinguish quality DOCG production from broader commercial Prosecco DOC. Hand-harvested grapes (minimum 85% Glera plus permitted blending varieties) are gently pressed; primary fermentation in stainless steel; secondary fermentation in pressurised autoclave tanks runs typically 50-80 days for the standard DOCG bottlings (longer than the DOCG 30-day minimum), with the Primo Franco flagship and Rive di San Floriano receiving even longer cellar aging. Dosage varies by bottling: Rustico Extra Dry preserves 12-17 g/L residual sugar; Primo Franco is typically Brut (under 12 g/L). The estate produces both fully sparkling Spumante and limited Frizzante styles. Extended fermentation and lees aging build texture, creamy mousse, and aromatic complexity beyond entry-level Prosecco DOC.

• Charmat (Martinotti) tank fermentation; extended secondary fermentation 50-80 days for standard DOCG bottlings
• Hand-harvest of minimum 85% Glera plus permitted blending varieties; gentle pressing; stainless-steel primary fermentation
• Primo Franco flagship and Rive di San Floriano: even longer cellar aging beyond the standard DOCG secondary fermentation
• Extended fermentation and lees aging build texture, creamy mousse, and aromatic complexity beyond entry-level Prosecco DOC

Nino Franco's wine range covers the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG quality pyramid plus broader Prosecco DOC. The Rustico Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG (named Wine Enthusiast's #1 wine of 2019) is the benchmark commercial bottling showing alpine herbs, white flowers, and Valdobbiadene's mineral side with persistent mousse. The Primo Franco DOCG flagship, made from organic-grown estate fruit and crafted personally by the producer, shows sealing-wax, quince, and additional complexity beyond entry-level Prosecco — among the top-tier expressions of the appellation. The Rive di San Floriano single-vineyard bottling expresses site-specific Valdobbiadene terroir. The Faive Rosé Prosecco DOC adds the post-2020 rosé category to the range. Critical recognition has been consistent across Italian wine guides and international publications, with the estate firmly established as a top-tier reference for quality DOCG Prosecco.

• Rustico Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG: benchmark commercial bottling; named Wine Enthusiast's #1 wine of 2019
• Primo Franco Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG: organic-grown flagship; top-tier expression of the appellation
• Vigneto della Riva di San Floriano Rive di Valdobbiadene DOCG: rare single-vineyard Rive bottling
• Faive Rosé Prosecco DOC: post-2020 rosé category; Glera-Pinot Noir blend with extended secondary fermentation

Nino Franco's house style emphasises refinement, mineral lift, and texture beyond entry-level Prosecco. Rustico shows alpine herbs, white flowers, and Valdobbiadene's mineral side; Primo Franco adds sealing-wax, quince, and complexity from organic fruit and extended fermentation; the Rive di San Floriano expresses single-vineyard site personality with even greater concentration. The estate welcomes visitors at the Valdobbiadene headquarters by appointment, with tours combining vineyard walks (in UNESCO-listed hogback territory), cellar tours, and tastings of the full range. International distribution is broad, with strong US, UK, Northern European, and Asian market presence. Among Conegliano Valdobbiadene producers, Nino Franco is widely considered one of the export-face references alongside Bisol, with Primo Franco's pioneering 1980s work having opened the international market for quality DOCG Prosecco generally.

• House style: refinement, mineral lift, texture beyond entry-level Prosecco
• Rustico: alpine herbs, white flowers, Valdobbiadene mineral side, persistent mousse
• Primo Franco: sealing-wax, quince, complexity from organic fruit and extended fermentation
• Broad international distribution: US, UK, Northern Europe, Asian markets; export-face reference for quality DOCG Prosecco