Zardetto

Zardetto

A Conegliano name that won its first medal in 1936, and a Prosecco house that takes its time in the tank.

Ernesto Zardetto put his family's name on a wine label for the first time and won a bronze medal with it in 1936. That is how the Zardetto story begins, according to the house: with a father, Bepi, remembered as the founder of the line, and a son who wanted his work judged. The winery stands in Scomigo, a hamlet in the comune of Conegliano, at the eastern end of the Prosecco hills.

The house credits Pino Zardetto with turning the family workshop into a business, and the company dates from 1969. In the 1980s Fabio Zardetto joined and moved the house into sparkling wine. A press claim quoted by the US importer says the family brought its Prosecco to America in 1984. If that is right, Zardetto was among the early messengers, pouring Prosecco for Americans decades before most of them could pronounce Valdobbiadene.

At a glance

The story

Today the brand belongs to Mack & Schuhle Italia, named in the footers of Zardetto's own websites and by Winebow, its American importer. We could not find when the change happened. Winebow still names Fabio Zardetto as winemaker, so the family hand has not left the cellar. Respect where it is due: generations of Zardettos built a name worth keeping on the label.

The style story is about time. Most Prosecco gets its bubbles in a pressurised steel tank, the Charmat method, usually in a few weeks. "Long Charmat" means leaving it in the tank longer, for finer bubbles and a little more texture. Winebow says Zardetto's second fermentation lasts nearly 40 days. In a category that is usually in a hurry, we like the patience.

The house is not shy about its record either. Its site says Robert Parker gave it 91 or more for ten years running, and that the chef Gualtiero Marchesi chose it as the aperitif at his restaurant. Being a great chef's welcome drink is a better endorsement than most medals.

What to drink

Prosecco DOC Brut. Brut is the drier everyday style. A reviewer quoted by Winebow puts it at 12 g/l of sugar, the top of the Brut range. James Suckling gave it 90 points, and Wine Enthusiast's Jeff Porter also gave it 90 (December 2022), noting "fresh lemon, lime and citrus blossom." The Italian retailer vino.com lists it at €9.90 (roughly $11), though it was out of stock when we checked. In the US, JJ Buckley lists the NV Brut at $14.94, also out of stock that day.

Prosecco Superiore DOCG Long Charmat Brut. The one to find. DOCG is the smaller, stricter zone of steep hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene; DOC is the much larger area on the plains. Falstaff scored it 92 and James Suckling 90, according to Winebow. We have not found a current shop price.

Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry. Extra Dry is sweeter than Brut, which is one of the great small jokes of wine labelling. Falstaff gave it 91 and James Suckling 90, again per Winebow. No current price found.

Prosecco Rosé Extra Dry DOC. The producer describes golden apple, peach, small berries and spring flowers. The US retailer 67 Wine lists it at $15.99. We found no Italian price.

Prices: euro prices are what the winery or an Italian retailer charges, with a rough dollar figure at about $1.14 to the euro (October 2026). In the US, expect more on the shelf once shipping, the 15% tariff on EU wine, importer and distributor margins and taxes are added.

Where it fits

Zardetto is a Conegliano house making polished, widely available Prosecco, and it is one of the easier names to find in American shops. If you like the clean, bright style but want a step up, the Long Charmat Brut shows what extra time in the tank can do. For something earthier, try a small grower's col fondo, such as Gregoletto's.

Where to buy

• US: imported by Winebow. Listed at JJ Buckley and 67 Wine. Stock comes and goes.
• Europe: vino.com also lists a Prosecco DOC Extra Dry at €9.90 (roughly $11) that no longer appears on the producer's site.
• UK: we found no importer or stockist. If you know one, tell us.

Visiting

The Consorzio lists the winery shop as open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00. Tastings and cellar tours are booked by phone on +39 0438 394969. We found no published format or price, so call ahead. The "experience" section of the website is an online feature, not a visit.

Quick answers

Is Zardetto Prosecco family-owned? Not any more. The brand is owned by Mack & Schuhle Italia, according to the producer's site and its importer, though Fabio Zardetto is still named as winemaker.

What does Long Charmat mean? The second fermentation stays in the tank longer than usual, nearly 40 days at Zardetto according to Winebow. The aim is finer bubbles and more texture.

Sources

• zardettoprosecco.com: about us, wines, Italian site
• prosecco.it: Zardetto
• Veneto Around Me: Zardetto
• Winebow: Zardetto, Long Charmat Brut
• vino.com: Brut, Extra Dry

Last checked: October 2026

The Prosecco Desk: the Proseccotists behind Bella Principessa Prosecco. We love this region and write about the families who make it. Producers do not pay to be listed.