Refrontolo (Venetian: Refróntol) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Treviso in the Italian region Veneto, located about north of Venice and about north of Treviso, representing the third smallest municipality by number of inhabitants (1,732) in the province, preceded only by Portobuffolé and Monfumo. It is located in a hilly viewpoint between Quartier del Piave and Montello, and it is crossed by the Prosecco and Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Hills Wine Road (Italian: Strada del Prosecco e Vini dei Colli Conegliano e Valdobbiadene) established in 1966. The municipality is in fact famous for the production of the Marzemino wine (called Colli di Conegliano Refrontolo Passito DOCG). Since July 7, 2019, Refrontolo's hills have been inscribed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site as The Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene (Italian: Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene).
Refrontolo borders the following municipalities: Cison di Valmarino, Pieve di Soligo, San Pietro di Feletto, Susegana, Tarzo.
Demographics
Overview
In 2016 the natural growth rate of Refrontolo was -6.9, with 11 newborns, 23 deceased, and thus a natural balance of -12. The people entering Refrontolo from other municipalities were 43 (39 were instead leaving), the ones entering from abroad were 7 (5 were leaving Italy), while 1 was written in the registry because of administrative corrections (3 removed), for a total migratory balance of 4, and a migration rate of 2.3. Overall the total growth rate was decreasing (-4.6), and with a population of 1,747 on January 1, and 1,739 on December 31, the average number of people living in the municipality was 1,743.
Refrontolo's Population From 1861 To 2018 Year Population Households ± N. ±% ♂% N. Size Births Deaths Δ N. ±% N. ±% N. ±% N. ±%18711,310−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−18811,290−1.50%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−19011,469 +13.9%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−19111,882 +28.1%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−19212,177 +15.7%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−19312,271 +4.30%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−19362,163−4.80%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−19512,072−4.20%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−19611,686−18.6%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−19711,582−6.20%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−19811,662 +5.10%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−19911,708 +2.80%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−20011,805 +5.70%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−20021,802−0.28%51.4%−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−19−−−−−−−14−−−−−−− +0520031,809 +0.39%51.5%680−−−−−−2.66−−−−−−11−42.11%17 +21.43%−0620041,820 +0.61%51.2%689 +1.32%2.64−0.75%18 +63.64%11−35.29% +0720051,800−1.10%50.6%686−0.44%2.62−0.76%21 +16.67%16 +45.45% +0520061,798−0.11%50.7%691 +0.73%2.6−0.76%14−33.33%13−18.75% +0120071,793−0.28%50.8%696 +0.72%2.58−0.77%17 +21.43%20 +53.85%−0320081,799 +0.33%50.5%707 +1.58%2.54−1.55%21 +23.53%20±00.00% +0120091,815 +0.89%49.6%717 +1.41%2.53−0.39%06−71.43%14−30.00%−0820101,863 +2.64%49.7%717±0.00%2.6 +2.77%17 +183.33%16 +14.29% +0120111,814−2.63%49.7%729 +1.67%2.49−4.23%13−23.53%13−18.75%±0020121,797−0.94%49.4%730 +0.14%2.46−1.20%22 +69.23%22 +69.23%±0020131,786−0.61%49.4%726−0.55%2.46±0.00%10−54.55%15−31.82%−0520141,764−1.23%49.4%716−1.38%2.46±0.00%15 +50.00%21 +40.00%−0620151,747−0.96%49.2%711−0.70%2.46±0.00%08−46.67%17−19.05%−0920161,739−0.46%49.5%708−0.42%2.46±0.00%11 +37.50%23 +35.29%−1220171,732−0.40%−−−−−710 +0.28%2.44−0.81%07−36.36%16−100.0%−0920181,702−1.73%−−−−−711 +0.14%2.39−2.05%07±00.00%24 +22.47%−17
Migratory Flow Year From To Net Migration Rate Aliens Italy Abroad Other Italy Abroad Other Abroad Total N. % ♂%2002290200410000 +02−10−−−−−−−−−−−−2003531000500000 +10 +13−−−−−−−−−−−−2004480800450700 +01 +04−−−−−−−−−−−−2005230200470300−01−250603.3%51.7%2006331300490000 +13 −030653.6%49.2%2007560300610000 +03−020673.7%52.2%2008440800450200 +06 +050764.2%47.4%2009560500370000 +05 +240844.6%44.0%2010730800310300 +05 +471025.5%45.1%2011501104551800−07−080935.1%43.0%2012401504591205 +03−171096.1%42.2%2013390615551001−04−061055.9%42.9%2014410508561004−05−161025.8%43.1%2015340103360604−05−080905.2%38.9%2016430701390503 +02 +040744.3%35.1%2017300501320101 +04 +02−−−−−−−−−−−−2018330602460305 +03−13−−−−−−−−−−−−
Economy The locality is particularly suited for wine production, thanks to the presence of constant currents of fresh and dry air that allow the natural drying of the grapes. In the municipality there are in fact fourteen wineries, and one of them is also a bottler. Typical, being the viticulture a rooted and integrated practice of the area, are the vineyards, historically cultivated as espaliers. Other forms of traditional and/or historical cultivation are the Sylvoz (espalier), overturned, and double-inverted. Cultivated vines are Prosecco, Marzemino, Verdiso Zentil, and Manzoni Bianco. The density of the vines is 2,500 Ha.
Refrontolo Passito DOCG Marzemino has a centuries-old history, and distant origins. Also known in Veneto with the synonyms of Berzamino, Barzemin and Bassamino, it would later spread to Lombardy, Emilia, Friuli, and Trentino. It is believed that the Marzemino vine spread in Carinthia thanks to the Roman colonists, taking its name from Marzimin, a village in that region, and that from this area the cultivation subsequently extended to the Venetian regions. In the fifteenth century Marzemino was known throughout Padania and Friuli; in the Adige valley it was introduced by the militias of the Republic of Venice in the period of its maximum expansion. In fact, towards the middle of the sixteenth century the wine produced from this vine was one of the most appreciated among noble families, and it is precisely Marzemino that is mentioned in the second act of the famous opera Don Giovanni by Mozart, with the phrase "Versa il vino! Eccellente Marzimino!" (the quote is a clear reference to the Treviso area and not to the Trentino one, and everything is proven by the origin of Lorenzo Da Ponte, author of the libretto of Mozart's opera, who lived as a young man on these hills).
Today the Treviso vine is known as Marzemino of Refrontolo, from which the Refrontolo Passito is produced, and it is the drying technique that differentiates it from all the other varieties, making it unique and sought after as a "black pearl" in an area suited for white wines.
Refrontolo Passito is found within the Colli di Conegliano Refrontolo Passito DOCG zone, in a very limited area defined by the municipalities of Pieve di Soligo, San Pietro di Feletto, and in particular by the hills of Refrontolo, where the old biotype of Marzemino of Refrontolo is cultivated, since it is the only one that produces suitable grapes to obtain Refrontolo Passito. The Marzemino grapes are harvested in October, and they must be at least 95%, while the remaining 5% can be non-aromatic red grapes recommended or authorized by the province of Treviso. Subsequently, the grapes are placed on traditional racks where they dry up until the week of Christmas in order to reach a minimum alcoholic strength of 14 degrees. The maximum yield of grapes into wine must not exceed 45%. The vinification is then followed by maturation in small oak barrels with various decantations up until it becomes clear for its bottling in spring. An aging in the bottle for at least three months precedes the release on the market, which cannot take place before March 1 after the harvest. Only about thirty companies produce the “pearl”, for an annual production of about 160,000 0.75cl-bottles, which are difficult to find, as admirers try to grab at least a few bottles of this excellence.
Refrontolo Passito is a red dessert wine made from partially dried grapes. It has a deep ruby red color and an aroma of blackberries. It is served at 14–15°C and pairs with lower-sugar desserts, dry pastries, plum jam tarts, sbrisolona cake, and blue cheeses. The wine has a sweet flavor profile with balanced alcohol and acidity, reaching maturity in 10–12 months.
Culture
Folklore The bòna man The tradition of New Year's greetings, involving above all the little ones, who, visiting the homes of relatives and acquaintances, received, in exchange of a greeting nursery rhyme (the bòna man), some sweets or some change. The custom was also widespread among the adults, and generally consisted of seasonal nuts.
'L panevìn Fire ritual that still takes place, above all thanks to the initiative of the Pro Loco, on the evening of January 5, the epiphany's eve. Now practiced with folkloristic accents, once a tradition, rich in cultural meanings, consisting of different phases.
'L porzhèl de Sant'Antoni It was a pig, donated by a devotee, who soon became accustomed to going around the houses of the village, where it received the lavadura. It was then killed on the day of Saint Anthony, January 17, put up for auction, and the proceeds donated to the poorest or to charitable works.
Carneval Neighboring families, or those of the same district, were used to gather at the sound of an accordion, to dance and consume crostoi, frìtoe, and castagnòle. On the last Thursday of the carnival (dióba zhozhoèr) pieces of lard (zhózoi), or other pieces of pork, were offered to the beggars, who stuck them on wooden skewers, while during the last Friday of the carnival (vèndre gnocolèr), gnocchi were a must for the villagers.
San Valentin The festivity is summarized in the proverb: San Valentin, the naranzhe picade al spin, translatable into Valentine's Day, the oranges attached to the thorn; lovers picked up a branch of hawthorn, and stuck an orange into each thorn. The homage was then placed, during the night, on the threshold of the beloved's house.
Organizations Organization Type NotesA.V.I.S. - Sez. di Pieve di Soligo e RefrontoloVolunteeringBlood DonationASD Refrontolo CalcioSports ClubFootball ClubAssociazione Animalista Mici FeliciVolunteeringAnimal Rescue GroupAssociazione Due Cuori per la VitaGrassrootsHealth PromotionAssociazione LyraCultural CenterMusicAssociazione Molinetto della CrodaVolunteeringMuseumAssociazione Musicale "Giovani Accordi" e "Piccolo Coro" di RefrontoloCultural CenterMusical EnsembleAssociazione Pro LocoGrassrootsPro LocoCircolo Ricreativo ArcobalenoCultural CenterAfter-School ActivityComitato Refrontolo-BrasileVolunteeringInterculturalismGruppi Familiari Al-Anon - Forza e Speranza per Amici e Familiari di AlcolistiVolunteeringAlcoholics AnonymousGruppo Alpini di RefrontoloCorpsAlpiniGruppo MarciatoriSports ClubRacewalkingLegambiente del VittorieseVolunteeringLegambienteProtezione Civile - Gruppo di RefrontoloVolunteeringProtezione CivileRiserva Zona AlpiSports ClubHuntingSquadra Palio delle Botti di RefrontoloGrassrootsCompetitive Barrel Rolling
Government
The municipality has its own functions, and those conferred by the state and regional laws, according to the principle of subsidiarity. It contributes to the determination of the objectives contained in the plans and the programs of the state and the regions and, within the boundaries of its legal competence, provides for their specification and implementation, as well as for the exercise of all the functions suitable to satisfy the interests and needs of the community, with the aim of reaching and consolidating, with a programming method, those values that allow a better quality of life, in compliance with the state and regional laws. The municipality can also carry out its functions through the activities that can be adequately exercised by the autonomous initiative of the citizens and their social formations.
The municipal governing body is composed by the Municipal Council, the City Committee, and the Mayor.
Municipal Council