When in the 2019 UNESCO has inscribed “The Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene” In the prestigious World Heritage list, many have thought of it as an award for a wine's global fame. Nothing could be further from the truth. UNESCO does not protect commercial products, nor does it judge the quality of sparkling wines.

The international body has recognised this area as a cultural landscape of excellence, born from the combination of a unique and extreme geomorphological conformation of the pre-Alps and centuries of human work.

In this article, we analyse the scientific, historical and anthropological pillars that have driven the international organisation to protect this territory according to the Criterion V (an extraordinary example of virtuous interaction between humans and the environment).

1. The geological challenge of Hogbacks

The first element of uniqueness is structural. The site is developed on a series of parallel hill ridges defined in geomorphology hogbacks (Humped back).

These landforms, created by the tectonic uplift of ancient sedimentary rocks, are characterised by an extremely asymmetrical shape: extremely narrow ridges and slopes with gradients frequently exceeding 50%, creating breathtaking views. Faced with almost vertical cliffs, modern machine-based industrial agriculture has had to come to a halt. Man has had to adapt to the land, giving up on levelling it.

(If you want to discover how they were born and the most beautiful paths to explore them, read our In-depth look at the Hogbacks of the Prosecco Hills).

2. The invention of “Ciglioni” (Green Engineering)

To succeed in cultivating vines on such impossible slopes, historical winegrowers did not use stone, but the earth itself. This is how the technique of Cliff face.

• What is a cornice: Unlike traditional terracing found in other parts of the Mediterranean (which use dry stone walls), the ciglione uses a Tussocky and completely grass-covered embankment.
• The hydraulic function: The grass cover is not an aesthetic choice. The grass roots consolidate the silty and clay soil, acting as a natural network that holds the soil together, prevents washout, and drastically reduces the risk of landslides during heavy pre-alpine rainfall.

3. The “Mosaic Landscape” and Biodiversity

Another key reason for UNESCO protection is the territory's resistance to intensive monoculture. The agricultural structure, derived from the ancient sharecropping system, is highly fragmented and appears like a living geometric chessboard.

The small vineyards nestled on the terraced hillsides coexist in perfect harmony with coppice woodlands, hedges, fruit trees and unproductive areas. This alternation creates natural ecological corridors that host a rich biodiversity of pollinating insects and birdlife, which act as a biological barrier against vine pests, limiting the need for heavy chemical treatments.

4. “Heroic” and manual viticulture

On the hills of Core Zone mechanisation is technically impossible. Every single operation – from winter pruning to canopy management, right through to the autumn harvest – is performed strictly by hand.

The farmer becomes an acrobat, working in precarious balancing conditions on River (the steepest vineyards). This physical and visceral bond between the operator and the plant guarantees an artisanal care of the landscape that has been passed down intact for generations, opposing the homogenisation logic of the global market.

The UNESCO Hills areas

The “Golden Heart” (The untouchable zone)

This is the true visual miracle, the strip of land where the hills are so steep they seem vertical. We're talking about just over 9,000 hectares.

• The countries involved: It's the ridge that goes from Valdobbiadene a Vittorio Veneto, passing through Vidor, Miane (with its hamlet Combai), Farra di Soligo, Pieve di Soligo, Follina, Cison di Valmarino, Refrontolo, San Pietro di Feletto e Tarzo.
• What does it mean for those who live there: In this area, the rules are extremely strict. This is the domain of “heroic” viticulture. Here, bulldozers cannot enter to flatten the rock. The farmers must do everything by hand, climbing the famous eyebrows (The terraces of earth and grass). If a landslide occurs, it must be repaired with wooden stakes and earth, as was done in the 1600s. The password is: retain the tartness.

2. The “Seatbelt” (The view filter)

Immediately below the steep hills is an area of flat and rolling countryside that serves as a buffer zone. UNESCO insists on this for a trivial but fundamental reason: the postcard view must not be spoiled.

• The countries involved: This is where larger and more historic cities come into play, such as Conegliano (famous for its Oenological School of 1876), Seagull (with the magnificent castles overlooking the plains) and parts of Vittorio Veneto.
• What does it mean in practice: This area is intended to ensure that if you are on top of a protected hill in Valdobbiadene or Miane and look down, the horizon will not be marred by a giant shopping centre, a factory with smoke, or a mirrored skyscraper. It is a visual and urban planning constraint.

3. The “Pact Zone” (The Green Commitment)

This is the outermost area. It has no particular historical or gradient constraints, but it encompasses the urban centres and neighbouring municipalities that have signed a gentleman's agreement.

• The objective: The mayors of these countries have pledged to gradually ban the most harmful pesticides, to care for the waterways that descend from the hills, and to encourage slow tourism (cycling, walking, farm stays). This is the guarantee that the pollution from those “around” will not spoil the paradise that is “at the centre”.

The

To truly understand this landscape without getting bored with manuals, three geographical stages are enough:

• Cartizze (Valdobbiadene): A handkerchief of land of just 107 hectares. It is the most famous amphitheatre, where the slope is such that the harvest looks like a Cirque du Soleil act.
• The Molinetto della Croda (Refrontolo): An ancient watermill embedded in the rock. It shows how Venetian farmers used the power of water to grind grain, integrating the architecture into the stone of the hill.
• Le Vedette (between Farra di Soligo and Soligo): The sharp ridges where Austro-Hungarian soldiers spied on the Italians on the Piave during the First World War. Today, you walk a razor's edge: to the left, you see only wild woods (north); to the right, only sun-drenched vineyards like embroidery (south).

The’UNESCO it has rewarded this place because if you take a plane and look at it from above, you see a gigantic green chessboard where man has not violated the mountain with cement, but has respected it for five centuries, town by town, from Conegliano to Valdobbiadene.

Experience the magic of the Core Zone at “La Corte di Marga”

To transform your trip into an unforgettable experience, the secret is to stay where the heart of the UNESCO site beats. Situated in Maine, one of the most authentic and strategic villages in the entire Core Zone, The Court of Marga It is the ideal refuge for travellers seeking relaxation, history, and nature.

This charming country house, built of stone and wood, has been renovated in keeping with the rural character of the area, whilst offering all modern comforts. It is divided into cosy self-contained apartments (such as the bright and elegant Gustet e Ginetta), it offers complete freedom for romantic weekends, family holidays, or cycling tours.

After a day spent exploring historic trails — like the route of the Seven Crosses of Combai or the panoramic Sentiero delle Vedette —, you can regenerate yourself in the large 1,500 sq m garden park and take a dip in the splendid Outdoor swimming pool with sunbathing area, surrounded by the absolute quiet of the hills.

Are you ready to experience the Prosecco Hills like a true insider? 👉 Visit the official website and book your stay at La Corte di Marga and start planning your next adventure in the heart of the World Heritage Site.