Italy’s Colli Euganei: Volcanic Origins and the Rise of Contemporary Red Wines

Posted by Rowena Dumlao Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 1/08/2026

Italy’s Colli Euganei: Volcanic Origins and the Rise of Contemporary Red Wines

Just south of Padua, the Colli Euganei (Euganean Hills) rise gently from the plains, their cone-shaped profiles shaped by ancient volcanic activity and centuries of careful human stewardship. These hills form one of Italy’s most quietly compelling wine regions, where modern red wines combine history, character, and remarkable drinkability.

Grapes and Terroir

The identity of the Colli Euganei is inseparable from its volcanic origins and the Bordeaux grape varieties—Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Carménère—that have thrived here for more than two centuries. These vines are rooted in basaltic, mineral-rich soils, which lend the wines depth, structure, and a distinctive savory character.

Vineyards are planted between 50 and nearly 400 meters above sea level, mainly on sun-drenched, south-facing slopes, ensuring excellent drainage and ripeness. The climate is almost Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers, moderated by cooling day–night temperature swings that preserve acidity and aromatic freshness. Though the Adriatic Sea lies 50 km to the east, it acts as a natural thermal buffer, softening extremes and contributing to the wines’ balance.

Colli Euganei red wines are typically Merlot-based, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Carménère, either in blends or, when one variety predominates, as single-varietal Colli Euganei. Moderate vineyard yields, careful vineyard management, and extended aging for Riserva bottlings result in wines that are structured yet elegant, combining Mediterranean richness with Alpine lift.

“Winemakers here are not just producers—they are guardians of the land,” says Gianluca Carraro, President of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Colli Euganei. “Through their daily work, they manage water, forests, and soil, a role that has become increasingly vital as the effects of climate change grow more evident.”

Historical Roots

Viticulture in the Euganean Hills dates back to the Atestine civilization (7th–6th centuries BC) and expanded during the Late Middle Ages, when monasteries maintained vineyards for liturgical and daily use. In 1184, Count Alberto da Baone introduced Slavonian vines from present-day eastern Croatia. By the mid-19th century, local nobles planted Merlot and Cabernet grapes, which now define the character of modern Colli Euganei red wines. Today, these wines reflect a dialogue between history and innovation, blending centuries of knowledge with contemporary winemaking.

Wines and Pairings

Colli Euganei red wines currently total around 1.3 million bottles annually, with 800 hectares planted to Bordeaux varieties. Deep ruby in color, they display aromas of red berries, cherries, spices, herbs, and, depending on aging, subtle notes of tobacco or toast. On the palate, they are savory, fresh, and well-structured, appealing to wine lovers who seek both character and drinkability.

These wines pair beautifully with risottos, lasagna, pasta with meat or game sauces, grilled or braised meats, and aged cheeses. Slightly chilled, they can even accompany richer fish dishes or traditional Venetian specialties such as cuttlefish stew. Each bottle reflects the region’s volcanic soil, historic knowledge, and centuries of stewardship, offering a contemporary expression of place—authentic, balanced, and deeply connected to the land.

UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve: Nature and Wine in Harmony

Since July 5, 2024, the Euganean Hills have been officially designated a UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve, recognizing the area’s exceptional natural and cultural value as well as its commitment to sustainable development. Covering roughly 100 square kilometers within the park’s 18,684 hectares, the hills feature a rich mix of forests, Mediterranean scrub, thermophilic species, microthermal plants, centuries-old chestnut and olive trees, and rare flowers like Turk’s cap lilies and wild orchids. Historic villages, Venetian villas, abbeys, and monasteries blend seamlessly into this natural landscape.

This recognition highlights the balance between human activity and nature, where sustainable agriculture, ecotourism, and biodiversity-conscious winemaking coexist. Each bottle of Colli Euganei red is a reflection of this harmony between land, nature, and human care.

Tourism in the Euganean Hills

The Euganean Hills are among Veneto’s most visited destinations, offering a rich combination of natural beauty, thermal wellness, and cultural heritage. The area is dotted with archaeological sites, medieval walled towns, abbeys, hermitages, castles, and noble villas set within historic gardens. Abano and Montegrotto Terme, with more than 130 thermal spas, form the largest spa district in Europe, attracting around three million visitors annually thanks to mineral-rich waters renowned for their therapeutic properties.

Cultural highlights include the Atestino National Museum in Este, the 11th-century Praglia Abbey in Teolo, landmark fortifications such as Rocca di Monselice and Catajo Castle, and notable villas including Villa dei Vescovi, the most important pre-Palladian Renaissance residence in the area. Nearby Arquà Petrarca, home to poet Francesco Petrarca in his final years, and the city of Padua, with its UNESCO-listed fresco cycles and historic Botanical Garden, further enrich the destination. Completing the experience is a strong gastronomic identity, with products such as Veneto Colli Euganei e Berici PDO olive oil, Veneto Berico-Euganeo PDO prosciutto, liqueurs, and traditional fruit and chestnut specialties that make the Euganean Hills especially appealing to food and wine lovers.

Virtual Wine Tasting

As part of a virtual wine tasting organized by the Consorzio Tutela Vini Colli Euganei, six wines from the consortium’s producers were selected to highlight the diverse expressions of Colli Euganei reds. Guided by journalist and sommelier Andrea Gori, the session offered an in-depth exploration of the region’s volcanic terroir, historic Bordeaux grape varieties, and modern winemaking approaches, showcasing the wines’ distinctive character, structure, and versatility.

Vigne al Colle Colli Euganei DOC 2023
Produced from a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc from 20–30-year-old vineyards in Rovolon, planted at 200 meters on volcanic clay soils and aged 10 months in tonneaux. The nose shows fresh herbs, red berries, and a touch of licorice, with good verticality and clarity. On the palate, it is fresh, succulent, and medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, broad tannins, fruit-forward warmth, and delicate vegetal and spicy notes, offering a balanced and approachable expression of the region.

Giacomo Salmaso Terrae Pacis Colli Euganei Merlot DOC 2023
Produced from 100% Merlot grapes, this wine undergoes fermentation at a controlled temperature of 16–20°C for 10–15 days, followed by 6 to 7 months of aging in concrete vats. Its ruby red color with purple highlights reflects a vibrant profile, while the nose reveals fruity aromas of wild strawberry, blueberry, cherry, and hints of rosemary. On the palate, it is fresh and harmonious, with delicate tannins, a lively vein of acidity, pleasant texture, and easy drinkability, making it versatile enough to pair even with fish when served slightly chilled.

Bacco e Arianna Colli Euganei Cabernet DOC 2023
Made from 100% Cabernet grapes, it displays an intense and bright ruby red color. Its aromatic profile is expressive and layered, featuring dark fruit notes of cassis and cherries complemented by fresh balsamic and minty nuances and a delicate touch of spice. On the palate, the wine is succulent and structured, with smooth, slightly tannic texture, full-bodied richness, and refreshing vibrancy of acidity. Youthful yet well-defined, it pairs beautifully with light first courses, grilled meats, medium-aged cheeses, and even fish dishes, highlighting the characteristic freshness, elegance, and promising potential of Colli Euganei reds.

Le Volpi 36 Months Colli Euganei Merlot DOC Merlot 2017
The vineyards, situated between 200 and 400 meters above sea level on volcanic soils rich in red scaglia, produce 100% Merlot grapes for this wine. Winemaking involves three weeks of maceration, followed by three years of aging in French oak tonneaux and an additional year in concrete tanks. The result is a bright ruby red wine of notable depth, with an intense nose of dark and mature fruits notably blackberries, plums and cherries, licorice, and spices. On the palate, it is structured and persistent, with decisive tannins, light smoky notes, and subtle spicy and licorice hints, reflecting the distinctive character of the Colli Euganei terroir.

Notte di Galileo Colli Euganei Riserva DOC 2021
The grapes, 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, come from vineyards between 50 and 200 meters above sea level on limestone soils of volcanic origin. Vinification includes a long maceration on the skins, followed by aging in oak barriques for 15–18 months. The wine shows a bright ruby color with good depth and an intense, elegant nose of Mediterranean herbs, bay leaf, anise, and balsamic freshness, with subtle hints of chocolate and menthol. On the palate, it is structured and succulent, with a fresh vein of acidity, slightly drying tannins, licorice notes, and persistent finish, reflecting harmony and refinement.

Il Mottolo Vinànima Colli Euganei Carmenere DOC 2021
Made with 100% Carménère from vineyards planted on calcareous soils of volcanic origin. Vinification takes place in steel tanks, followed by 22 months of aging in tonneaux and barrique of different passages. The wine shows a deep ruby-red color with excellent brilliance. The nose is intense and elegant, with dark fruits, balsamic notes, subtle sweetness, and a hint of smoke. On the palate, it is structured and vibrant, offering ripe dark fruits, spice, licorice, vein of acidity, gripping tannins, finishing with good persistence and balance.