Nino Franco isn’t just one of the OGs of Prosecco—it’s the house that helped put Valdobbiadene on the world map, one delicious bottle at a time. Founded in 1919 and now in its fourth generation, this family-run winery is the poster child for traditional Prosecco with personality. Primo Franco, the maverick at the helm for decades, famously shunned the sweet, candy-coated styles that flooded the market in the ’90s. His mantra? “I don’t like apples or bananas.” Translation: he prefers complexity, not cartoons.
From the iconic “Rustico” to his groundbreaking single-vineyard bottlings (Grave di Stecca, anyone?), Primo championed terroir-driven Prosecco before it was cool. The family’s prized clos vineyard—Grave di Stecca—is wrapped inside the stone walls of Villa Barberina, the kind of place where Caravaggio would’ve sipped bubbles under a cypress tree. With a loyal network of family growers and a deep-rooted respect for the land, Nino Franco continues to produce age-worthy sparkling wines that prove Prosecco can be serious, too. Or seriously fun.
Did you know?
To celebrate his 30th vintage, Primo Franco popped open three decades’ worth of bottles for top wine critics. The verdict? Shockingly fresh, with layers of nuance that only time—and serious craftsmanship—can deliver. Who says Prosecco can’t age?
Wines from Nino Franco
