Nino Franco

Primo Franco has always been very interested in architecture. Fortunately for the wine lovers, however, he has chosen a completely different professional path. As a producer of high-class sparkling wines, however, the manager of the small winery Nino Franco has retained the joy of clear lines to this day, as the octagonal office building also proves. Primo had the great idea in the 1970s to devote himself practically entirely to the production of Prosecco in various variations. From 1982 onwards, he even succeeded in advancing to the highest Italian wine league with the family business Valdobbiadene, now almost one hundred years old and situated in the heart of the enchanting municipality of Valdobbiadene on the edge of the foothills of the Alps. The international reputation of the house, founded by Nino Franco's father Antonio, has continued to grow despite high-class competition. The top ambassador of Prosecco from the Venetian province of Treviso has remained true to his style: To produce fresh and uncomplicated sparkling wines, which clearly differ from everyday products in their quality. His wife Anneliese and daughter Silvia actively support Primo Franco in his work.

Nino and Primo, descendants of their ancestor, gradually expanded the company located in Via Garibaldi in order to increase production capacity. In the course of time a lot of money was invested in modern facilities. Wines untypical for the region have been removed from the bottle rack. The estate has always carried out experiments aimed at reducing human intervention in the cellar, but also at highlighting the character of the Glera grape variety and the prestige of the area. As sales manager, Primo had in earlier years even spontaneously traveled through South America, the United States, Canada and the Far East to charmingly and competently present his latest products far from home. Today, the annual production of about one million bottles is also ensured by numerous reliable grape suppliers who are looked after all year round. Otherwise, the proportion of fruit from their own vineyards would only be sufficient for the top products of the Prosecco House.

With their brown and red layers, the stony and calcareous soils of the Veneto offer extremely favourable growing conditions for the Glera vine. The light and plain Prosecchi produced by Primo Franco do not bend to traditional rules, but are above all an expression of his personality. They have a high recognition value and ideally have an intense, luxuriant fruity note. Ratings of important wine critics testify to the high level of the noble foamers. 

A new chapter begins for the winery in 2024, when Nino Franco Spumanti officially became a Benefit Corporation. This international movement connects companies on their way to a responsible future in business. The winery explains the reasons for this step as follows: "It is the beginning of a new era that embodies a responsibility that has always been close to our hearts: our mission to have a positive impact on society and the environment. Becoming a not-for-profit company means that we are formally committed to operating responsibly, sustainably and transparently to improve the wellbeing of people and the planet. (...) Together we can make a real difference!" SUPERIORE.DE

"Readers who want to discover Prosecco in best quality should put this good at the top of their shopping lists."Robert Parker

"Primo Franco's company has a special position in Prosecco because it can represent the historical bubbles of Valdobbiadene all over the world, although it is completely different from the others. The originality also lies in the fact that the otherwise most common Extra Dry is not available in the range."Gambero Rosso