Colli Berici – An Undiscovered Wine Treasure in Veneto

Presstrip: Studio Cru / Consortium for the Protection of Berici Hills and Vicenza Wines

In the heart of Veneto’s wine region, just over an hour’s drive from Venice, rise the forested hills of Colli Berici. This hidden gem enchants visitors with its unique Tai Rosso wine, local culinary traditions, and Renaissance Palladian architecture.

Although Veneto is world‑renowned for classics such as Prosecco and Amarone, Colli Berici has remained an unfamiliar wine region to many, despite the fact that viticulture has thrived here for more than a thousand years.

The Forested Hills of Colli Berici

The landscape of Colli Berici is dominated by hills, valleys, and plateaus that reach up to 400 meters above sea level. The area’s rolling terrain and the Berici hills emerged millions of years ago, formed from marine fossils and limestone. The diverse geomorphology of the Berici Hills supports the region’s distinctive wine cultivation.

You can read more about Colli Berici from my previous article: The taste of Colli Berici

Viticulture in Colli Berici

The earliest signs of viticulture in Colli Berici date back to 4000 BCE. Near Lake Fimon, vessels have been discovered that suggest wine storage. Today, numerous wineries cultivate grapes in the area. Supporting the region’s wine culture is the Consortium for the Protection of Berici Hills and Vicenza Wines, which brings together more than thirty wineries around Vicenza.

“Colli Berici is Veneto’s hidden gem, yet it has an excellent personality and great potential,” says Elisa Cavazza, Export Manager of Cavazza Winery.

Founded in 1928, the estate has two vineyards, one of which lies in the southernmost part of Colli Berici. The soil there is rocky and challenging for viticulture. Colli Berici’s limestone and red clay soils are particularly well suited to red wine production, and the winery cultivates Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, as well as the local pride, Tai Rosso.

Tai Rosso – The local pride

One of the region’s most renowned wines is its local pride, Tai Rosso, formerly known as Tocai Rosso. The variety shares the same genetic background as Grenache in France, Cannonau in Sardinia and Garnacha in Spain. Tai Rosso is grown today in various parts of the world, but within Europe it is cultivated mainly in southern France, eastern Spain, and Sardinia. In the Colli Berici area, Tai Rosso has been grown for hundreds of years. It is a vigorous variety that thrives particularly well in warmth and sunlight. The grapes are medium‑sized, thick‑skinned, and very juicy.

Tai Rosso grown in the Colli Berici hills typically produces wines that are less intensely colored, often showing a distinctive granite‑red hue. Its aromatic profile highlights red fruits such as raspberry and red cherry, along with floral notes and refreshing acidity. The tannins of Tai Rosso are refined and silky, making it a representative of the modern, lighter style of red wine. It can be well compared to Pinot Noir.

In addition to traditional red wine and rose, Tai Rosso also works beautifully as a sparkling wine. The Pegoraro winery produces a Tai Rosso rosé—lively and refreshing, brimming with red fruits such as raspberry and redcurrant. Pegoraro’s six hectares of vineyards stretch across the rolling slopes of Mossano in the southeastern part of the Berici Hills, nestled among forests and olive trees.

The estate itself is charming, adorned with magnificent rose gardens. Our visit coincided with the onset of harvest, and even the winery’s dog seemed to ensure the grapes’ perfect ripeness, happily tasting them straight from the vine.

For Pegoraro, caring for the environment is a top priority. Only organic fertilizers are used, while weeds and mowing are managed manually. Special attention is given to packaging, with all wine containers being recyclable. Pegoraro has also installed solar panels to heat water, and the photovoltaic system enables energy storage, further enhancing self-sufficiency.

In the old monastery, a charming tasting room had been created, its canopy providing cool shade against the midday sun. Following the tasting, we were treated to a delightful lunch, typically featuring an array of local cheeses and artisanal cured meats (Sopressa Vicentina) from the Colli Berici region.

Local flavors

In addition to cheeses and cured meats, the Colli Berici area is renowned for its traditional fish dishes. Baccalà alla vicentina is a classic local specialty. While baccalà literally means cod, the dish is often prepared using stockfish. The cooking process is lengthy, resulting in exceptionally tender fish. The way baccalà is served varies from place to place. A glass of Tai Rosso is the perfect companion to Baccalà alla Vicentina, making an excellent pairing with this local fish dish.

It is often accompanied by polenta, made from corn, a traditional staple of Northern Italian cuisine.

The restaurant Antica Trattoria Moreieta in Arcugnano is located high on the hillside. A delicious risotto and a skilled sommelier made the evening unforgettable.

Wine may be the soul of Colli Berici, but the region’s olive oil is equally remarkable. Colli Berici is also home to excellent olive oil. The Del Rèbene wine and olive estate lies at the highest point of Colli Berici, offering breathtaking, verdant views. Here, it feels as though you are above the clouds. Del Rebene’s cultivation follows both organic and biodynamic practices.

Among the olive trees, the estate grows Rasara, Leccino, Coratina, and Pendolino varieties. From grapes, they cultivate Tai Rosso as well as Cabernet Franc.

Historic wine cellars and Palladian architecture

The Berici hills also conceal historic wine cellars. We had the opportunity to explore these at the Piovene Porto Godi winery in Toara di Villaga. Wine has been produced in the area since the 1500s. The vineyards of Piovene Porto Godi are located in the southern part of the Berici Hills, stretching from the foot of the hills up to an altitude of about 250 metres.

Piovene cultivates Tai Rosso, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon and Merlot varieties, and among the white grapes, Sauvignon, Pinot Blanc and Garganega. During our visit, we also toured their historic wine cellars. The lush inner courtyard of Piovene Porto Godi feels like a breath of history. One’s gaze is drawn to the magnificent Villa Piovene at Toara.

On our final day, we spent time exploring the history of Vicenza. The Piazza dei Signori is a home to the impressive Renaissance building, the Basilica Palladiana, designed by Andrea Palladio. The Renaissance architect Palladio is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of architecture. His work includes numerous villas, churches, and town halls throughout the region.

I had tasted the wines of Colli Berici earlier in the spring, and they had already won me over. But tasting them in their place of origin allows you to truly sink into the culture that shapes them. The soil, the climate, the landscape and the local traditions all come together to leave their mark on the wine.

Colli Berici is a magical corner of Veneto where distinctive wines, ancient landscapes and rich cultural heritage meet just outside the city of Vicenza. Whether you’re tasting Tai Rosso at a family-run winery or exploring the rolling hills and Palladian architecture, the region offers an authentic and rewarding experience for anyone looking for something truly undiscovered.

Further Reading:

Consortium for the Protection of Berici Hills and Vicenza Wines: https://collibericivicenzadoc.it/en/

Cavazza Wine: https://cavazzawine.com/en/

Dal Maso: https://www.dalmasovini.com/en/

Piovene Porto Godi: https://www.piovene.com

Casa Defrà: https://casadefra.com/en/

Pegoraro: https://cantinapegoraro.it/en/

Del Rèbene: https://delrebene-oliovino.it/en/front-row-society-review-by-annett-conrad/

Inama: https://www.inama.wine/en/