SUSTAINABILITY
SUSTAINABILITY
The hills of the Soave Classico were planted with vineyards well before the area became officially recognised in 1931. The first census of vineyards dates back to the Napoleonic era in 1816 and little has changed over the past two centuries. In a vastly urbanised region like the Veneto, Soave has remained staunchly rural and centred around viticulture, proving its ability to sustain the livelihood of its community through viticulture. These unique characteristics have made Soave the object of study and recognition in Italy and internationally.
Rural heritage
In 2016 the Italian Agricultural Ministry declared the “Vine-clad hills of Soave” a rural landscape of historic interest. What was once viewed as “intensive agriculture” is now seen as a sustainable system that puts man at the centre of the preservation of biodiversity and the historic landscapes. In 2018 the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) declared Soave a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Site (GIAHS). The GIAHS programme safeguards the social, cultural, economic and environmental goods and services these rural areas provide. Soave is one of only 57 agricultural heritage sites worldwide and the first Italian wine region to meet the organization’s stringent criteria.
GIAHS – FAO
Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Site
The GIAHS programme fosters an integrated approach and is based on six criteria which combine sustainable agriculture and rural development. The hills of Soave represent a uniquely preserved agricultural system and area of historic interest within the context of a highly urbanized Veneto region. Going back to Napoleonic times, there is ample documentation of the Soave hills already densely populated with vine. When post-war urban development began, Soave’s vineyards were already protected from new urban zoning. Today, thousands of small vineyard owners still make a living from viticulture and winemaking. Soave was the 53rd site to be given GIAHS status and protection, and now becomes part of a broader interantional project working on the many challenges of climate change and sustainability.
Soave was recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for the canopy vine-training, “pergola veronese”, the system of terracing and dry stone walls (also recognized as an intangible heritage by UNESCO), the “appassimento” winemaking and Recioto di Soave Docg. Also recognized is the unique and viable social organization and cooperation between 3,000 vinegrowers and producers.
 |
Food and livelihood security |
|
Agro-biodiversity |
|
Local and traditional knowledge systems |
|
Cultures, value systems and social organisations |
|
Landscape features |
|
Action plan for sustainability of the system |
GIAHS – FAO
Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Site
The GIAHS programme fosters an integrated approach and is based on six criteria which combine sustainable agriculture and rural development. The hills of Soave represent one of the better preserved agricultural systems of historic interest within the context of a highly urbanized Veneto region. Going back to Napoleonic times, there is ample documentation of the Soave hills already densely populated with vine. When post-war urban development began, Soave’s vineyards were already protected from new urban zoning. Today, thousands of small vineyard owners still make a living from viticulture and winemaking.
|
Food and livelihood security |
|
Agro-biodiversity |
|
Local and traditional knowledge systems |
|
Cultures, value systems and social organisations |
|
Landscape features |
|
Action plan for sustainability of the system |