Hills rolling everywhere, historical towns and castles growed on rocky hills, smooth slopes covered with vineyards. This is Monferrato, an Unesco World Heritage Site.

“The vineyard landscapes of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato in Piedmont consist of a selection of five distinct winegrowing areas and a castle, whose names evoke profound and ancient expertise in the relationship between man and his environment. […] The cultural landscapes of the Piedmont vineyards provide outstanding living testimony to winegrowing and winemaking traditions that stem from a long history, and that have been continuously improved and adapted up to the present day. […] The vineyards of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato constitute an outstanding example of man’s interaction with his natural environment”.

With these words Unesco has recognized Piedmont’s wine landscapes as a World Heritage Site, consisting of points of interest, called core zones. The first is Nizza Monferrato and its hills, on which Barbera is cultivated. In the north of Asti, in the Low Monferrato (High Monferrato is in the south, with Low Monferrato in the north), the second includes the so-called Infernot (little hell-holes); old underground cellars carved into limestone (the same type used for cornerstones). The third core zone is Canelli, where you can discover multi-aisle cellars (the underground cathedrals) where Asti Spumante is produced.

Moving through this area, placed between the cities of Turin and Milan, just below the Po River, means crossing landscapes whose appearance changes almost constantly. The steep and vine-rich slopes encountered in the High Monferrato give way to northern rolling hills, where the touch of human presence is more tenuous. Different views, all linked by a unique beauty.

During your journey through these areas, you meet friendly people, ready to welcome you. Take your time to listen their history and wait for the Barbera grapes ripen, becoming deeply purple. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy their Sunday lunch, during which you can taste an unique cuisine. Drink Barbera d’Asti, Nizza, Ruchè, which are all just few of the appellations produced in Monferrato.

Along your journey, stay on top of a hill and look around you. You will see Monferrato, one of the most important Italian wine territories, where for centuries men have created wines that have made Italy famous around the world.

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