On July 7 the Prosecco hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for their importance “in protecting and preserving the unique cultural landscape.” They are the 55th UNESCO protected site in Italy, the country with the most UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world.
The area features a unique geomorphological “hogback” conformation, made up of a series of steep hills, interspersed with small valleys, carved parallel either side.
In this difficult environment, humans have learned to adapt by shaping steep slopes and perfecting their agricultural technique, creating ciglioni, a unique type of terracing, and bringing life to a breathtaking landscape, varied in both shape and composition. A “mosaic” landscape, deeply fragmented and interconnected, characterized by several small vineyards separated by woodland, rural villages, small churches and country lanes.
An area to be discovered
Conegliano Valdobbiadene is an area with steep hills, forged throughout centuries by the work of humans, rich in world-class historic and artistic testimonies. Here, we’re in the province of Treviso, in the Veneto region, in an area with over 8000 hectares of vineyards, 50 km from Venice and 100 km from the Dolomites. It’s no coincidence that this is where the first Italian wine route was born, in 1966, a 50 km-long route connecting the area’s two “capitals”: Conegliano, the cultural heart, and Valdobbiadene, the productive heart.
Our advice is to carve out a long weekend for discovering the area and its flavors at leisure. The must-sees are Conegliano, with its frescoed Duomo and castle which dominates the town from above, the Molinetto della Croda carved into the rock, one of the area’s main, most evocative sights, and the hill where Superiore di Cartizze is made, in a small area of 108 hectares representing the peak quality of the denomination. Here, it is highly recommended to grab a bite to eat in Osteria senz’Oste, a refreshment bar where you can enjoy a bottle of Prosecco Superiore with a selection of excellent local meats and cheeses, and a breathtaking panoramic view. As the name suggests, the oste, meaning owner, is not present: it’s all self service, even when it comes to paying!