Region

The Euganean Hills are a group of volcanic rolling, cone-shape slopes that rise above the Padovan-Venetian plane to the heights of 2,000 feet. This historic geographic region was formed about 35 million years ago as a sub-marine out welling of lava followed by magma cooled to form present day volcanic rock and soil – rich in minerals and microelements that has created an ideal place for vines to grow. Today the area encompasses the first regional park established in Italy’s Veneto in 1989.

The name “Euganei” is in reference to the ancient people that inhabited the region prior to the Roman period. The area encompasses fifteen picturesque hill towns and eight-one rolling hills sprinkled by historic Venetian villas that dot the beautiful landscape.

Among the rolling hills that make up the Colli Euganei are numerous vineyards, producing soft mellow reds and crisp whites. Most famous from this region is the aromatic wine “Fior d’Arancio” made from the Yellow Muscat (Moscato Giallo) grapes. Formerly part of the Colli Euganei DOC since 1969, the region has been elevated to Italy’s top quality level status – DOCG in 2010 encompassing 1,771 acres of land.

The Maeli estate overlooks the magnificent Villa dei Vescovi one of 30 FAI (Italian National Trust) heritage sites regularly open to the public. From the estate’s hill top position, one has a 180-degree panorama of Venice on one side and the Dolomites on the other.  The area locally referred to the “Tre Valli del Vento” (three valleys of wind) allows the grapes to ripen healthy in an uncontaminated, organic environment. The scent of the plants, of the flowers and the aromatic herbs in the vicinity of the vineyards infiltrates the ecosystem surrounding the winery.