Grounded in the values of love for the land, family, and conviviality, it’s a legacy that spans nine generations of deep connection to the world of Prosecco. Over two centuries, humbly forging a history crafting an exceptional product revered throughout the world.
This year the Follador family will uncork a bottle to celebrate the 255th anniversary of its winemaking heritage, which started in 1769. This was the year when the Doge Alvise IV of the patrician house of Mocenigo formally recognised the superior quality of the wines produced by ancestor Giovanni Follador, who back then, had given over all his lands to the growing of grapevines.
Throughout this journey, the passion for excellence and pursuit of innovation have driven the family to achieve ambitious goals. An important chapter in this history was written by one of their descendants, Gianfranco Follador, who was among Valdobbiadene’s first sparkling winemakers and creator of the exclusive Gianfranco Follador Method®. This special winemaking technique involves specific steps in the initial phase and the use of equipment for conducting cryo-maceration to extract the myriad properties of the grape skins, lending structure and personality to each label.
It’s a vision that has enabled the company to compete with the best Italian and international wines, achieving the title of "Best Prosecco" at The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2020, the renowned competition which showcases the most refined champagnes and sparkling wines from five continents.
This accolade has served to showcase the mastery and expertise of an ancestry born and raised among the vineyards, custodians of ancient traditions and timeless customs, unique to a well-defined region: Conegliano Valdobbiadene.
“Ever since we were children, we experienced firsthand the annual cycle of rituals linked to viticulture: bud burst, flowering, ripening of the grapes, and finally the harvest – the moment of maximum work but also greatest celebration,” says Cristina Follador, the company’s director of sales and marketing. “Wine is in our DNA, and with such a long tradition of winemakers behind us, all of us have quite naturally chosen this same path.”
Nestled between the Dolomites and Venice, the enchanting hills of Col San Martino near Valdobbiadene – an area recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – boast a culture that is fully committed to respecting and valuing this land. The meticulously embroidered rows of vines have given life to a unique cultural landscape – one dotted with stunningly beautiful historic villages and breathtaking views. One such example as the view dominated by the Credazzo Towers, beneath which part of the Follador family’s vineyards are situated.
Today, the ninth generation, guided by siblings Michele, Cristina, Francesca, and Emanuela steers the course of this historic heritage, elevating the Follador name and consolidating its reputation as one of the foremost interpreters and ambassadors in the world of Prosecco DOCG
Press Office:
Irene Jesi
Tel. 349.2848567
stampa@folladorprosecco.com
