L’Antica Quercia

Valdobbiadene, Prosecco, Italy

L’Antica Quercia is a quietly radical estate in the hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, working far beyond the expectations typically associated with Prosecco. In a region often dominated by intensive farming and high-volume production, this is a project rooted in patience, biodiversity, and a deep respect for the rhythms of nature.

Founded by Graziano Merotto (often referred to simply as Graziano), the estate takes its name from a centuries-old oak tree that stands at the heart of the property. From the outset, his vision has been clear: to farm in a way that restores and protects the ecosystem, and to produce wines that truly reflect the landscape of these steep, rolling hills.

The vineyards are cultivated according to organic and biodynamic principles, with a strong emphasis on polyculture. Vines sit alongside woods, meadows, and orchards, creating a rich, self-sustaining environment where life thrives above and below the soil. Chemical treatments are avoided entirely, replaced by natural preparations and a careful, observant approach to vineyard health.

Glera is the backbone here, but handled with a level of care and seriousness rarely seen in the category. The wines are typically made using the ancestral (col fondo) method or with minimal intervention in tank, avoiding excessive manipulation or dosage. The result is a very different expression of Prosecco. These are wines with texture and depth—fine, gently clouded bubbles, notes of orchard fruit, wild herbs, and a subtle, savoury edge. There’s a softness to the mousse, but also a real sense of structure and energy, carried by a mineral line that speaks clearly of the hills they come from.

L’Antica Quercia is part of a small but growing movement redefining what Prosecco can be. These are not wines of convenience, but of intention—thoughtfully farmed, carefully made, and deeply connected to place. Honest, characterful, and quietly uncompromising, they offer a glimpse of a more meaningful future for the region.