UNESCO TERROIR
Man's love for his land
The rationale
The official World Heritage site describes the Piedmont wine landscapes as follows: "rows of vines historically cultivated in the territory, the types of crops, the rich system of production sites and traditional settlements highlight a "living" landscape, in which each evolution takes place in constant respect and balance of tradition and innovation. The wine-growing landscape of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato is therefore the exceptional result of a "wine tradition" that has been transmitted and evolved from ancient times to today, constituting the centre of the socio-economic life of the area. The continuous research to improve the production cycle has led, and still leads, to the production of wines of international excellence and quality (such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Asti Spumante and Barbera d'Asti), thanks to a rich heritage of knowledge and techniques, based on the deep knowledge of the vines cultivated here for centuries (Nebbiolo, Moscato Bianco, Barbera) and their ability to adapt to environmental conditions ".
The registration criteria
The entry criteria perfectly describe the work philosophy of the winemakers of our hills:
The culture of Piedmontese viticultural landscapes offers an exceptional living testimony of the viticulture and winemaking traditions; a long history which continuous to be improved and adapted to this day. They testify to the existence of an extremely inclusive social, rural and urban context and a sustainable economic fabric. They also include a harmonious assortment of artefacts that bear witness to its history and work activities.
The vineyards of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato are an exceptional example of man's interaction with his natural environment. Thanks to a long and constant evolution of techniques and knowledge on viticulture, the best possible adaptation of the vines to the characteristics of the soil and climate has been achieved. This adaptation is in turn linked to the skills of winemaking, making the area an international reference point. Wine-growing landscapes also express great aesthetic qualities, making it an archetype of European wine-growing landscapes.
