Italy’s Prosecco Hills Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site

UNESCO recently decided to credit the eponymous region in northeastern Italy that grows and cultivates the grapes used to create Prosecco.

The exotic region is characterized by ‘hogback’ hills, ciglioni – small plots of vines on narrow grassy terraces – forests, small villages, farmland, and hills where the grapes that produce the famous sparkling wine are grown in abundance.

Speaking about the accreditation, President of the Consortium for the Protection of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, Innocente Nardi, said, “The producers that make up the Consortium of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG have been at the heart of UNESCO nomination.”

“They live and shape the uniqueness of our landscape, with its patchwork of steep, demanding vineyards that can only ever be worked by hand.

“Countless generations have forged our distinctive patchworks and unique grassy earth terraces, that we call ciglioni. Their labor has carved out from nature a unique identity that has led to UNESCO recognition.”

Prosecco hills now represent Italy’s 55th World Heritage site. Over the coming years the region aims to develop sustainable conservation of the landscape and while supporting the growing tourism sector.