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Le Vigne di Roberto are located in the heart of the Breganze DOC area. This is a wine growing and producing area among the most famous in Italy, already recognised as Denomination of Controlled Origin back in 1968. It extends from the Astico River to theBrenta River at the foot of the Asiago Plateau. An area characterized by volcanic soils in the hilly sections and alluvial layers in the flat areas; ideal terrain for the cultivation of the vines that find, thanks to the mountains to the north, protection from the colder currents during the winter and ventilation in the summer. A microclimate that allows gratifying results to be obtained even with varieties of grapes that are rather difficult to grow, such as Pinot Noir.
In fact, there are 13 varieties cultivated in Breganze and registered as DOC. Among these, the Vespaiola grape holds a respectable position. A native variety, grown only in this area, the plant is rustic and it adapts well both to dry and wet years. The sweetness of the grapes and their thin skins attract the attention of wasps and bees (hence the name Vespaiola or wasp grape). But at the same time the grapes are characterized by a high acidity which makes the Vespaiola an absolutely versatile grape. The grapes are suitable for producing fresh and fruity sparkling wines, white wines to accompany savoury dishes (such as the famous pairing with Bacalà) or, after a slow drying the Vespaiola yields the famous Torcolato.
BREGANZE AND ITS PRODUCTS
Besides the extensive vineyards of vespaiola there are fascinating and often unexplored places to discover in the area of Breganze. In the green areas one finds numerous villas by Andrea Palladio, such as Villa Godi Malinverni in Lugo di Vicenza, or others in the Palladian style. Places not to miss are the town of Thiene, charming Bassano and medieval Marostica. The latter, encircled by a wall, is dominated by a late medieval castle and is where, every two years, the famous living chess game is played.
But not only that, at the foot of the Vicentine Foothills one discovers an itinerary of flavours, from the sweet red cherries of Marostica to the asparagus of Bassano. Roberto’s preferred way is to look at the area by looking at its typical products. He loves spending his evenings in the company of his friends, sharing a glass of wine, roasting dinner on a spit: perhaps the Torresani or pigeons, another speciality of this area, which are perfect when paired with the polenta obtained from the local variety of Marano corn. An oddity: the name Torresano derives from the habit that local noble families had of raising pigeons on the turrets (the colombare) that adorned their dwellings.