Strada del Vino Arcole DOC

Between the provinces of Verona and Vicenza lies the Pianalto del Colognese, cradle of the Arcole DOC Wine Route: a food and wine trail that winds through the municipalities of Arcole, San Bonifacio, Zimella, Veronella, Cologna Veneta, Roveredo di Guà and Pressana, revealing a rural and authentic Veneto, where the seasons still dictate the rhythm of life.

The Arcole DOC Wine and Local Products Route winds its way through cultivated countryside, quiet villages, thousand-year-old parish churches and forgotten villas, in a landscape shaped by human industriousness and a deep connection with the vine. Here, nature is not just a backdrop, but the protagonist: neat rows of vines, apple orchards and cereal fields alternate with glimpses of terracotta architecture, testimony to the sober but meaningful building style of the local people.

Walking or cycling along this route means breathing in the living memory of a territory that has managed to preserve its roots without renouncing agricultural innovation.

The undisputed star of this journey is Arcole DOC wine, an authentic expression of the local wine culture, but the environmental characteristics of this area — fertile soils, a favourable microclimate and an ancient agricultural vocation — allow for the cultivation of high-quality fruit and vegetables, many of which are recognised with PDO, PGI or traditional product labels.

These include:

Radicchio Rosso di Verona PGI (Protected Geographical Indication)
Patata Rossa di Verona (Red Potato of Verona)
Mela di Verona (Apple of Verona)
Asparago di Arcole (Asparagus of Arcole)

These products, which are also excellent when paired with local wines, can be purchased fresh and locally sourced at farmers' markets in the area, veritable treasure troves of flavour where local producers proudly share the fruits of their labour.

The Arcole DOC Wine Route is also a journey into rural gastronomic culture. Throughout the area, you can enjoy traditional dishes prepared with skill and passion in the numerous restaurants, trattorias and farmhouses, as well as at local fairs and festivals.

Among the delicacies of the area are:

Almond cake from Cologna Veneta
Plain cheese
Veronese Stortina
Veneto Berico Euganeo DOP ham
Verona salami and sopressa

The Arcole DOC Wine Route is much more than just a route: it is an active association made up of producers, local authorities, restaurateurs, artisans and tour operators united by the desire to promote a heritage that is often little known but rich in charm.
The association promotes numerous cultural and gastronomic initiatives, such as fairs, tastings, guided tours and historical re-enactments. These events offer the perfect opportunity to discover the region's excellent food and wine, including honey, oil, fruit and cured meats, which can be sampled in the numerous farmhouses and trattorias that dot the itinerary.

Alongside its culinary experiences, the Arcole DOC Wine Route boasts an artistic and spiritual heritage of great value. Ancient villages, Romanesque churches, rural parish churches, Venetian villas, historic roads and mysterious place names tell the story of centuries of human presence and rural civilisation.