Valdo celebrates 100 years as a Prosecco Superiore pioneer
Valdo has always prioritised the fine terroirs of Valdobbiadene, but its first century of winemaking proves that innovation is just as important.
The Prosecco boom may be a very modern phenomenon, but the region’s winegrowing story is ancient and, in many ways, simple. Long before Prosecco was on the lips (both literally and figuratively) of drinkers around the world, farmers were simply growing the best grapes on the best sites they could find.
That, certainly, is the story of Valdo. The sparkling wine expert’s narrative begins with Veneto winemaking families and the famed hills of the Prosecco Superiore region.
Yet, over the 100 years since its inception, Valdo has not secured its reputation just by staying still. Instead, it has employed innovative thinking and commercial sense to continually build on its heritage and foster a global reputation.
100 years of Valdo’s growth
To understand Valdo, you have to go further back than 100 years, and beyond the region of Prosecco. The seeds of the company’s success are first to be found in Soave, west of the Prosecco Superiore heartlands. There, in 1883, Abele Bolla began crafting wine, starting a family legacy of high-quality winemaking.
The official start date, however, is 1926. That is when four entrepreneurs founded the Società Anonima Vini Superiori (SAVIS), formed to promote the production of Valdobbiadene and Cartizze. Long before they were granted DOCG status and prestige as Prosecco Superiore, the company celebrated the sites as the source of great sparkling wines.
These two stories converged in 1938 when Sergio Bolla, Abele’s grandson, acquired SAVIS. Thirteen years later, in 1951, the firm took the name Valdo, a tribute to the Valdobbiadene landscapes that have always driven its winemaking.
Since then, its trajectory has been a story of steady growth and expansion, driven by in-the-know customers wanting to stock Valdo’s wines. It first secured listings outside its local region in the late 1960s. Fittingly, as Abele owned a tavern in Soave when he first started making wine, it was Italian restaurants wanting to serve fine fizz that drove the initial expansion.
In the 1970s, with waves of emigrants heading around the world and establishing Italian restaurants, Valdo began its journey as an international brand. By the 1990s, it was well established in key European markets and building a presence in East Asia and the US.
Now, as it celebrates 100 years, Valdo has a truly global reach. In recent years, it has even set up subsidiaries – Valdo Europe in 2013 and Valdo USA in 2017 – to secure its foothold in key regions.
Yet Valdo holds true to the same principles – refined wines from the slopes of Valdobbiadene – that guided it from the start. Nowhere is this clearer than in Marca Oro. Since its earliest days, the gold-labelled wine has stood as a consistent hallmark of the quality potential of Valdobbiadene and, as Valdo has expanded internationally, its flagship on the global stage.
Breaking the mold
Valdo has, over its century of operation, stayed true to its roots. The production of Prosecco Superiore DOCG still defines its mission and it remains a key player in the category. Yet this appellation is a region defined by creative winemaking – the technological marvel of the Martinotti method, most notably – and Valdo has, in recent years, increasingly embraced its innovative inheritance.
In the traditionally styled Prosecco Superiore that makes up the core of its range, Valdo has pushed the production method further and expanded its possibilities with a longer period spent in the tank. Rather than just a few weeks, this extends to up to several months, increasing exposure to the lees for added texture.
More recently, the winery has also embraced metodo classico (or traditional method). A pivotal step in this direction was Numero 10, the estate’s first traditional method sparkling wine, originally introduced in 2004. Crafted from a careful selection of Glera grapes and refermented in the bottle for a minimum of 10 months, it stands as a symbol of Valdo’s evolving artisanal ethos.
A further expression of this expertise is Vigna Pradase. Made from grapes sourced exclusively from a single plot – the Pradase estate, a library of heritage clones and rare indigenous varieties – this traditional method sparkling wine ages on its lees for up to 24 months, embracing the complex aromas of yeast autolysis.
The cuvée is composed of 85% Glera grapes, represented by the iconic Glera Tonda and the rarer Glera Lunga clones. The remainder comes from almost-lost local varieties: Verdiso, Bianchetta and Perera. In that approach, Valdo has innovated simply by preserving the region’s viticultural inheritance.
Indeed, protecting its vineyards underpins Valdo’s broader sustainability strategy. Since the early 2000s, the company has progressively adopted more responsible viticultural practices across its estates, in line with denomination-level standards, including the phase-out of herbicides such as glyphosate.
Alongside a small organic production, Valdo is increasingly focused on promoting integrated farming approaches (SQNPI), aimed at reducing environmental impact across a wider share of its vineyards. In parallel, the winery has also worked on reducing its footprint beyond the vineyard, investing in lighter-weight bottles and broadening the use of recycled packaging materials.
There is no sign of the innovative streak slowing. In its centenary year, Valdo has expanded into the demanding yet fast-growing no and low-alcohol segment. Its Purø Alcohol Free expression retains the gently fruity aromas of northern Italian grapes through a gentle dealcoholisation process. Meanwhile, Valdo’s 8% Blanc de Blancs combines fresh Glera and Moscato grapes to ensure a naturally lighter style.
Expanding horizons
As it marks this substantial anniversary, Valdo is reaffirming both its deep roots in Valdobbiadene and its tradition of innovation and bold choices. The centenary year is seeing both celebrations and concrete developments.
Of course, the milestone is the perfect excuse for a new bottling. Cuvée Valdo 100 Special Release is a limited edition of 3,750 magnums, designed to celebrate its first 100 years while offering a taste of Valdo’s inimitable Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG.
As a further mark of the anniversary’s significance, Valdo has been registered as an Italian Historical Trademark. Far surpassing the minimum requirement of 50 years in operation, the company joins 700 of Italy’s most esteemed brands, as proof of Valdo’s consistency and long-term vision.
As Valdo continues into its second century, communicating its position as a custodian of Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG is more important than ever. With a diverse portfolio and innovative bottles, it has taken the vineyards of northern Italy around the world.
Through its Casa Valdo project, opened in 2023, Valdo welcomes the world to its vineyards. With its six charming rooms, the recently renovated farmhouse was designed to accommodate wine lovers exploring the Unesco-recognised winegrowing region.
Valdo today enjoys a truly global reach – far removed in scale from its original mission to champion local winemaking. Yet, for all its growth and innovation, the region remains firmly at the heart of Valdo’s identity. As it enters its second century, the winery is poised to bring the story of Valdobbiadene to even more drinkers.
Related news
Latest figures show decline for French organic drinks
Westgarth Wines expands fine wine business into Europe with new hire
