The Confraternita di Valdobbiadene.

Why it was founded.

When the war ended, those who worked the hills went down to the plain or left: the steep vineyards were left alone. A group of producers and technicians decided to help those who stayed, with «moral and material help», assistance and advice, as the Confraternita still tells it today. It was called Confraternita del Prosecco; it was, they say, the first non-religious confraternity in Italy.

Who belongs to it.

The Confratelli, led by a Grand Master and the Chapter, and the Cavalieri di Valdobbiadene, who are the producers. The seat is a vaulted wine cellar in the centre of Valdobbiadene, frescoed by the painter Cappellin: a true wine library of the area. Next to it is the Library of Vine and Wine, in Palazzo Celestino Piva.

The Bottle of the Confraternita.

Since 1969, every year, a tasting chooses among the Cavalieri’s wines the Valdobbiadene DOCG that represents the Confraternita: three thousand numbered bottles, with the Confraternita’s label. For anyone who wants to understand what a Valdobbiadene «as it should be» is like, it’s a good place to start.

The V, and the Foundation.

The bottle with the embossed V on the neck is an idea of the Confraternita: they grant its use to local wineries, only for the DOCG and Cartizze. Alongside is the Fondazione Valdobbiadene Spumante, which looks after communication and promotion of the area. Since 2026 SERALBA comes in that bottle.

Eighty years.

On 18 October 2026 the Confraternita celebrated eighty years with a conference and a photo exhibition in Valdobbiadene. Eighty years of a simple thing: keeping people on the hills, and keeping the wine high.

The bottle with the V

Three quick questions.