In the heart of Valdobbiadene, the winery redefines Prosecco Superiore DOCG through family heritage, winemaking research and a contemporary vision of tradition
July 2, 2026 (Col San Martino, Italy) — Follador Prosecco dal 1769, a historic winery based in Col San Martino, confirms its role within the Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG appellation through a path that brings together family roots, deep knowledge of the vineyards and technical innovation.
The company’s origins date back to 1769, when the Doge of Venice, Alvise IV Mocenigo, recognized the quality of the wines produced by Giovanni Follador. Since then, nine generations have succeeded one another at the helm of the estate, maintaining a direct connection with the hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, now part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
For Follador, history is not a celebratory element but a production responsibility. In an area where viticulture is defined by steep slopes, fragmented vineyards and manual work, quality stems from careful vineyard management and a precise reading of the raw material.
“The year 1769 is not just a date,” says Cristina Follador. “It is the starting point of a responsibility that we carry forward every day. Respecting these hills means understanding them, working them with care and turning this experience into wines that are consistent with their origin.”
Alongside its work in the vineyard, the company has, over time, developed a distinctive winemaking approach, codified in the Metodo Gianfranco Follador®. The protocol combines reductive techniques, cryomaceration and longer secondary fermentation periods, with the aim of preserving the integrity of the grapes, enhancing aromatic precision and ensuring consistent quality.
“The technique must serve the raw material, not replace it,” Cristina Follador continues. “Innovation means having more precise tools to express the character of the wine, without forcing its identity.”
From this vision comes a range of Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG defined by balance, aromatic clarity, and a distinctive style. A contemporary interpretation of Prosecco Superiore, built on the dialogue between family experience, technical expertise and the identity of the hills of origin.
This positioning now carries particular weight in international markets, where origin, authenticity and clarity in communicating the production approach have become increasingly important factors.
“The market is looking for authentic stories, but also for consistency and credibility,” says Cristina Follador. “For us, history is not an added extra; it is the foundation of how we work and communicate. Telling the story of Follador means telling the story of a family that has evolved while remaining true to the Conegliano Valdobbiadene appellation.”
More than 250 years after its origins, Follador continues to interpret Prosecco Superiore DOCG as an expression of balance between continuity and innovation: a family story that does not look to the past with nostalgia, but uses it as a concrete foundation on which to build the present.
About Follador
Follador is one of the landmark wineries of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene appellation, with a winemaking tradition dating back to 1769, when the Doge of Venice recognized the quality of the wines produced by their ancestor, Giovanni Follador. Since then, nine generations have preserved and strengthened their bond with the territory, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the winery based in Col San Martino, in the heart of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG hills.
Now led by siblings Michele, Cristina, Emanuela, and Francesca Follador, the company has built a strong and consistent identity, rooted in technical innovation, sustainability, and respect for tradition. The Gianfranco Follador Method®, an exclusive winemaking protocol, ensures consistent quality and a refined style that is appreciated worldwide. Exports play a key strategic role for the brand, supported by a relationship focused approach and a commitment to promoting the Italian lifestyle in premium contexts. Each bottle reflects a family expertise that looks to the future while remaining firmly grounded in its roots. Follador Prosecco is currently distributed across a wide range of international markets, including Austria, the Caribbean, China, Cyprus, Costa Rica, Germany, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the United States, Switzerland, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
