Cartizze is the highest (‘Grand cru’) of two higher-level designations within the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG region (the other is Rive, akin to Premier cru). Cartizze refers to a specified zone in the commune of Valdobbiadene.

The name: Cartizze derives from a local term ‘gardiz’, or the reed mat on which the grape clusters are placed to dry and concentrate.

Terroir:  The production area comprises 106ha of vines planted on the highest and steepest slopes in Valdobbiadene, in a bowl of hills shared across three hamlets: Santo Stefano di Valdobbiadene, San Pietro di Barbozza and Saccol (all three of which are also classified Rive). The terrain is composed of sandstone and clay–marl. The production area was under the sea 20m years ago, and the wines are said to have a salty nuances, despite being sweet due to the Glera grapes attaining over-ripeness.

Production: There are around 70 grape growers here for 106ha of vines. Vine densities are between 2,300–3,300 vines/ha. Most vines are complanted, so that when one vine dies a new one is planted. Thus it is hard to claim any wine can claim to ‘come from 30 or 40 year old vines’. The wines are labelled Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG or Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG.

Wineries: Le Colture.