Elevating the Art of Prosecco at Bellenda Winery  

Since the mid 1980’s, Bellenda Winery has been crafting elegant sparkling wines in the scenic Carpesica hills of Treviso. Founded by the Cosmo family, the estate reflects their shared passion for the land and the region’s signature grape, Glera. Their vineyards stretch across the prestigious Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG zone, a UNESCO-listed area known for producing some of the finest expressions of Prosecco. We had the pleasure of engaging in a virtual tasting with Umberto Cosmo and being transported to the winery.

Bellenda’s Terroir 

Bellenda’s vineyards lie on the glacial slopes of Carpesica, where cool nights and warm days help the grapes retain vibrant acidity. The mineral-rich soils, composed of limestone, clay and glacial deposits, and steep terrain produce wines that are bright, structured, and full of character. As one of the designated Rive zones of Valdobbiadene, Carpesica offers a distinct microclimate that gives Bellenda’s wines their signature freshness and finesse.

During our virtual visit, we learned that 60% of the area is woods, 30% vineyards and the rest living space and other cultivation. Each vineyard is farmed with the belief that wine should express its landscape, not hide behind technology or excessive intervention. Therefore, the other plants and vegetation helps to maintain authenticity and biodiversity in the vineyard.

Craftsmanship and Winemaking Innovation

While many Prosecco producers rely on the Charmat or tank method, Bellenda stands out for reviving the traditional bottle-fermented technique, which is the same method used for Champagne. This approach brings added texture, complexity, and finesse to their sparkling wines.

The Cosmo family enjoys experimenting with different production styles, from classic Prosecco Superiore to col fondo and pét-nat bottlings. Extended lees aging adds depth and flavor, setting their wines apart from mass-market examples. Bellenda embraces both modern precision and old-world craftsmanship, showing that Prosecco can be as nuanced and expressive as any fine sparkling wine.

The Wining Hour with Bellenda Winery

We tasted four different styles of bubbles from Bellenda, highlighting the importance of the aromas in sparkling wines.

Bellenda Con Alti 

Con Alti is a Col’ Fondo style. Umberto explained that Col Fondo or Pet-nats are typically consumed in the Osteria’s, and this one is intended to be a champagne-like reproduction. Produced via the ancestral method, Con Alti’s fermentation is halted early and allowed to finish in the bottle. With this single fermentation, there is no must or added sugar. Con Alti uses Glera and a blend of other native varieties. In the glass, it is softly cloud and pale yellow with a gentle, natural fizz. The nose shows bright aromas of lemon zest, green apple, and fresh pear, with a touch of minerality and wildflowers. On the palate, it’s lively and refreshing, offering crisp citrus flavors and a dry, clean finish with a hint of salinity. Light, vibrant, and slightly rustic, Con Alti is a great match for seafood, salads, or as a bright aperitif.

Bellenda Fratelli Cosmo Prosecco Extra Dry

Pale straw in color with fine, lively bubbles. The aroma is fresh and inviting, with notes of crisp apple, pear, and soft white flowers. On the palate, it’s smooth and slightly off-dry, balancing ripe fruit flavors with bright acidity. The finish is clean and refreshing, making it perfect as an aperitif or alongside light dishes like seafood or soft cheeses. Fratelli Cosmo is in the extra dry style, with 12-17grams of residual sugar, is rich and round on the palate, making it smooth and approachable. The bright and colorful label, designed by an Australian artist, is rather representative of what’s inside.

Bellenda San Fermo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut 

Bellenda’s San Fermo is the estate’s flagship wine, made entirely from Glera grapes. Crisp and elegant, with bright fruit, floral notes, characteristic of the surrounding morainic hills. It has more body, with a clean, dry finish.

Bellenda Sei Uno Rive di Carpesica Extra Brut Produced from steep hillside vineyards, this bottle-fermented Prosecco is bone dry and refined, with fine bubbles and hints of citrus, herbs, and minerals. Umberto maintains that this wine allows you to experience the “soul of the area,” as it is more an expression of the soil. This was the 2021 vintage, made via Metodo Classico.

Each of Bellenda’s prosecco’s reflect a different interpretation and/or expression of the Glera grape, unified by precision and a sense of place.

Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility

Bellenda Winery’s approach to viticulture emphasizes sustainability and biodiversity, as no herbicides are used, grass grows naturally between the vines, and renewable solar energy powers much of the winery. 

Environmental responsibility is also central to Bellenda’s mission. The winery minimizes its ecological footprint through renewable energy, recyclable materials, and careful land stewardship. Old pruning wood is reused for energy, recycled glass is prioritized, and green roofing helps regulate temperature and water flow. These practices show that sustainability and fine winemaking can go hand in hand.

Bellenda Prosecco Stands Out

Bellenda represents a more serious, terroir-driven side of Prosecco, one that values craftsmanship, authenticity, and sustainability over mass production. Their wines challenge the notion of Prosecco as simple or commercial, offering instead a range of styles that are expressive, textural, and food-friendly.  It was great to be able to explore different sides of Glera and see first hand that it can produce wines of real personality and depth.