Euganean Hills: land of wine and vineyards

Euganean Hills are hills of volcanic origin located in the Po Valley in the province of Padua and hide secret treasures awaiting discovery. These hills are a true geological study case, generated by very peculiar ancient volcanic phenomena that left a heritage of pale siliceous rocks mixed with limestones of different ages and origins. These geological peculiarities perfectly symbolize the faunal and botanical biodiversity typical of the region. In order to protect and preserve this natural treasure, the Regional Park of the Euganean Hills was established in 1989.

The climate of the Euganean Hills has a different connotation relative to the surrounding region. The temperate character, decidedly more Mediterranean, is in fact characterized by mild winters and hot and dry summers with favorable day-and-night thermal differences. The hilly slopes also allow greater exposure to sunshine. The combination of these land features and climatic factors makes the Euganean Hills an area well-suited for the production of a wide variety of vine varieties and crops. Besides grapevines, other crops such as olives, chestnuts, cherries, mulberries, figs, wheat and alfalfa impressed their mark on the history, culture and life of the hard-working local people, who with wisdom, sacrifice and patience have shaped a harmonious agricultural landscape. The beauty of these hills helps those who visit to fully immerse themselves in a bucolic atmosphere.

Land morphology, orogenesis and microclimates are necessary areas of knowledge needed to give life to grapes and wines with character and expressiveness. Many grape varieties of the Euganean Hills, both autochthonous and originating from other areas but cultivated among these slopes, have been awarded the “DOC Colli Euganei” recognition. In 2010 Moscato Giallo obtained the denomination “Fior d’Arancio DOCG Colli Euganei“. The international grapes Merlot and Cabernet are well-suited to the microclimates of these hills generating red wines characterized by high structure and great balance. On the other hand, white grape varieties such as Moscato, Serprina, Chardonnay, Garganega and Manzoni Bianco allow production of fragrant white wines with excellent crispness and sapidity.

The Euganean Hills, besides being the cradle of fine wines, are dotted with Paleovenetian and Roman archaeological sites, ancient abbeys, medieval cities and sumptuous villas of the Venetian Republican period. All them bare witness to the historical and artistic value of the area, adding to the enoic and gastronomic wealth of the Euganean Hills, enriching their long tradition as a tourist destination centered on one of the most important European thermal basins for relevance and quality of the geothermal phenomena.