Nino Franco Archivi — Enoteca di Piazza

1919 Antonio Franco founded «Cantine Franco Antonio, Produttore e negoziante in vini». 1966 His son Giovanni, known as Nino, changed the name to «Nino Franco di Franco Giovanni» and continued the winemaking business with the production of white and red wines. 1971 Primo, who graduated from the Scuola Enologica di Conegliano Veneto, began collaborating with his father in the cellar, exclusively focusing on the production of Prosecco.1979 Rustico changes character: from being a wine aged on its lees, it became a Charmat Method sparkling wine. 1982 After his father passed away, Primo inherited the winery. He travelled in Italy and abroad to introduce the culture of Prosecco. 1983 «Primo Franco» was born, the first Prosecco to bear the vintage and the producer’s signature on the label. This is the revolutionary wine that marked the birth of a new era for signature Prosecco. 1993 His wife, Annalisa, joined Primo in the cellar and, together, they embarked on the adventure of Grave di Stecca, imagining vinifying it as a single vineyard. After a mass selection of Glera from the existing vineyard, they replanted the vineyard together with Monsieur Guillaume, one of France’s greatest nursery men. 1999 First harvest of Vigneto della Riva di San Floriano, one of the very first single vineyard Prosecco to appear on the market. 2004 Villa Barberina, an 18th-century residence inside the Grave di Stecca vineyard, was acquired. After undergoing restoration in 2008, it became an elegant relais managed by Annalisa. 2006 Silvia, from the fourth generation of the Franco family, continued the family’s tradition of running the winery. 2014 A new collaboration with master pruners Simonit & Sirch, focusing on recovering centuries-old vineyards of Col del Vent. 2015 From the Col del Vent vineyard comes Nodi, fruit of centenary vines, some of which are still ungrafted. 2019 Nino Franco celebrates 100 years of history and experimentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Nino Franco winery located and in what wine area does it produce?

Nino Franco is located in Valdobbiadene, in the heart of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG appellation, in the Veneto. The winery works with three signature vineyards: Grave di Stecca, Col del Vent (home to the historic Nodi vineyard, with century-old, partly ungrafted vines) and the Vigneto della Riva di San Floriano vineyard, one of the first single-vineyard Prosecco wines ever launched on the market.

Who founded the Nino Franco winery? Is it a family business?

Yes: the winery was founded in 1919 as 'Cantine Franco Antonio'. In 1966 his son Giovanni, known as Nino, renamed the business 'Nino Franco', the name still used today. In 1982 Nino's son Primo inherited the winery, and in 1983 he created 'Primo Franco', the first Prosecco to carry a vintage year and the producer's signature on the label. Today the fourth generation, led by Silvia Franco, continues the family tradition; in 2019 the winery celebrated its hundredth anniversary.

What approach do they take in the vineyard at Nino Franco?

Since 2014 the winery has worked with Simonit & Sirch, master pruners specializing in restoring century-old vines, applying these techniques particularly in the Col del Vent vineyard. From a mass selection of Glera grapes taken from the historic Grave di Stecca vineyard, the winery has also replanted the vineyard in collaboration with one of France's leading nurseries, an approach that prioritizes quality over quantity in the raw material.

What wines does Nino Franco produce? What is its most famous wine?

The range includes several Prosecco Superiore DOCG labels, including Rustico (a Metodo Charmat sparkling wine since 1979), Primo Franco, Vigneto della Riva di San Floriano and Nodi, made from the century-old vines of Col del Vent. Primo Franco, launched in 1983, is considered the wine that marked a new era for artisan, producer-driven Prosecco, the first to carry a vintage year and the producer's signature on the label.

Can you visit the Nino Franco winery? Do they offer tastings?

Yes, the winery welcomes visitors for cellar tastings, and it is also possible to stay at Villa Barberina, an 18th-century residence within the Grave di Stecca vineyard, purchased in 2004 and restored in 2008, now run as a charming boutique guesthouse by Annalisa Franco.