The Patriarch and the Vine cycle circuit (R020)

Magredi del Meduna, like the neighbouring Cellina, is an area between the Meduna torrent and the Tagliamento river consisting of large pebbles, gravel, sand, and very little soil. Over many centuries, this area was made fertile, although agricultural production was not particularly rich. The cultivation of vine shoots started following the First World War. Through the decades, this cultivation has spread over the entire Magredi territory, now combined with the wine production in the Grave DOC wine district. Rauscedo is the birthplace of the cultivation of vine shoots: several nursery companies account for more than 25 percent of the world's production of grapevine stock, selecting varieties and natural characteristics in a state-of-the-art research centre.

This is therefore a rural and historical tour through the countryside to the south of Spilimbergo. A substantial part of the route passes through vineyards and fields dedicated to the cultivation of vine shoots and the production of DOC wine. Noteworthy points of interest are Spilimbergo (the village with the castle, the gate-towers, and the Mosaic School of Friuli), Provesano (S. Leonardo church), Cosa (castle), Rauscedo (S. Nicolò church, monument to Patriarch Bertrando, who was murdered here by a group of armed men from Spilimbergo in 1350) and the Vivai Cooperativi centre of excellence for viticulture.