The Berici Hills could be considered the green heart in the Veneto Region, a rural area of extraordinary beauty where nature always has a surprise to offer in its landscapes and unspoilt, little-known spots.
The area of provenance is in the heart of the Veneto plain, to the south of Vicenza. In these limestone hills, wine-growing dates back to man's earliest settlements in this area, where the climate even favours the cultivation of olive groves. Besides soil and climatic conditions, the quality of the wine from the Berici Hills also derives from the passion of generations of wine-growers who have already established the Protection Consortium in 1982.
The grapevine typical of this area is Tocai rosso which, grown in the oldest documented areas dotted among the Barbarano Vicentino hills, makes Colli Berici Barbarano. This is a very special ruby red wine, with a vibrant fragrance, and fruity, dry, floral and well-orchestrated flavour.
The other D.O.C. wines are: Colli Berici Chardonnay, Colli Berici Garganega, Colli Berici Pinot bianco, Colli Berici Sauvignon, Colli Berici Tai, Colli Berici spumante, Colli Berici Tai rosso, Colli Berici Cabernet, Colli Berici Cabernet riserva and Colli Berici Merlot.
In the Berici Hills, the Strada del Vino (Wine Road) follows a charming itinerary along vineyards and cultivations following the line where plain and hills meet. Several villas, villages, retreats and convents stand testimony to the lure the area has had throughout the ages. Còvoli, prehistoric natural caves, and fortified castles dating to tenth and eleventh centuries are treasures bearing witness to show how long the work of man has configured these charming hills during the past ages.
The Strada del Vino (Wine Road) begins in Vicenza, at the old Arch standing at the foot of the ""Scalette"", the stairs leading the faithful to the Sanctuary of Monte Berico. It then passes along a section that skirts the most famous villa by Palladio, ""La Rotonda"". From here, it follows the contour of the Colli until linking all the towns built at the bottom of the hills, the great historical and wine and food heritage of the Road. The itinerary continues on to the outskirts of Verona and the Chiampo valley, finally ending in Vicenza.
