The area of provenance, awarded the D.O.C designation in 2004, extends to southeast of the province of Padua and the south of the province of Venice. The designation does not, however, define a specific geographical area as much as marks an important historical period in terms of the social and economic development of this part of the Veneto plain.
Wine-growing and wine-making go back, indeed, a very long way, its origins dating back to the days of Antenor who, according to a legend, is the mythical Trojan hero who founded the city of Padua and first cultivated a magic plant, that he had jealously brought back from the ancient lands of Asia.
The earliest existing evidence dates to ancient Roman times. The wide diffusion of this type of cultivation in the area, however, is specifically attributed to the Benedictine Courts which became the administrative, economic and social centre of large estates for almost thousand years, and to the monks who lived there and who contributed to developing the area by preparing land for cultivation, embanking the rivers, constructing rural buildings and working the land. Wine produced in the generous cellars of the Courts became a major commodity to exchange with the towns of Padua and Venice, and especially the latter enjoyed trade with all Mediterranean ports. Centuries of experience has set the vineyards and wineries in good stead in this part of Veneto where, together with the historical and native grapevines, such as Raboso, Refosco, Tocai and Moscato giallo, wine-growers also produce socalled international wines that thrive in the excellent local climate and soil conditions: Merlot, Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot grigio and Pinot bianco. These wines are to be enjoyed young, appreciated for their fresh taste accompanied by intense floral notes, whilst others require medium or long periods of ageing, underscoring their bouquet and offering the palate greater complexity and an elegant structure, along with superior contours.
Visitors to the area have the chance to see medieval monasteries and courts, some of which are today used as villas or residences. Piove di Sacco offers the beauty of the Monastery of Saints Vitus and Modestus, which was already existing in 1100, while Legnaro and Correzzola each have an important Benedictine Court. In Bagnoli, Villa Widmann still shows the ancient structure of the monastery built after the city was donated to Benedictine monks in 954.
