Caezoria Valley
The air in the Caezoria Valley smells like sunlight. For as far as I can see, there are vineyards and orchards. I can see why this place is popular among landscape artists. The town of Caezoria is barely visible along the riverbank, and dirt roads wind their way to the various farms. My tour of the region starts in the south where I plan to learn about the unique species of olive that's grown here and how lemon farmers can survive when most places are switching over to grapes. After, I'll visit the Caezoria Fork where the finest wine in Tamaris is produced.The Caezoria Valley is a fertile region in northern Verona. It's famous for wine and olives and special varieties of each which aren't grown anywhere else on the continent. Though once seen as wild territory, it has become a desirable travel destination in recent years. The picturesque landscape added to its appeal, and the Valley is now known for luxury wine and olive tours as well as being a reprieve from the usual urban sprawl.
Geography
The Firá and Poiculo rivers meet in the Caezoria Valley. The region is known for its black and fertile soil which is ideal for growing crops. The valley receives an average 25 inches of rainfall annually, and regular wind blowing eastward keeps humidity at bay. In the winter, temperatures regularly drop below freezing, though rarely below 30 Fahrenheit. The northern part of the valley can receive snow. Summers tend to be mild with an average high of 70 Fahrenheit.
Fauna & Flora
Most of the native plants and animals have been driven off to make room for agriculture. The river, however, is still home to many species of ducks and geese. Shad often swim upstream to the valley during the spring, and sturgeons can be found year round. During the summer, the rivers are artificially stocked with trout, bass, and carp to draw anglers to the area.
Away from the river, it's not uncommon to find rows of trees between farms or small copses where the ground is too steep for planting. Various species of oak and pine trees are native to the region, and the valley used to be covered in forest. Cypress trees are often planted for decoration, but they're not native.
It's the height of summer in the valley, and my guide assures me that the river is usually packed with anglers at dawn and dusk. I can see olive trees along the ridges of several hills, but my first stop is at a lemon orchard only a half hour away from town. The smell of lemons is overpowering, but the owner tells me that it'll be another month more before they're ready for harvest. They're still green and only turn their distinctive yellow color when fully ripe. Thirty years ago, the valley was dominated by lemon orchards, though this place is now only one of a handful left. There are larger lemon orchards further south, and they're able to drive the market value down. Here, where land is expensive, it's more profitable for farmers to grow grapes as wine from the valley is worth far more than lemons. Next, I stop at a blue olive orchard. The small trees are spaced out and look more like large woody bushes than trees. They won't be ready to harvest until late autumn, and the olives are light grey. They're also longer than normal olives, about two-thirds the length of my finger. Today is considered a less windy day, and I'm still worried my hat will fly off. Blue olives only grow here because of the unique combination of rich soil and low humidity. Elsewhere, the soil isn't fertile enough for the trees. Closer to the river, however, the air is too humid and fungi rot the leaves. Blue olives are never turned into oil nor are they soaked in brine for preservation. I'm told that blue olives have a bitter taste, but chopped up, they do well to add flavor to dishes. Some people eat them as is, and if I come back later in the year, I can try a few olives picked straight from the tree.
Natural Resources
The Caezoria Valley's major exports are wine and olives. Lemons and barley are also grown in the region, though most of the barley production is along the northern edges of the valley. The highest quality grapes are grown where the two rivers meet, and wines specifically from there are often labeled as "Caezoria Fork". In particular, Poiculo Aldo is the Fork's most unique type of grape and demand high prices which are only affordable to royalty and nobility. Blue olives are also unique to the Caezoria Valley and thrive along the edges of the valley where it's windier, and the soil is drier. Blue olives aren't exported, and they're best served fresh.
My final stop in the Caezoria Valley is to a vineyard nestled between the rivers. Despite the gentle breeze, I'm sweating in the low lying vineyard. This place grows only Poiculo Aldo grapes. It's small, and they produce only a hundred bottles of wine per year. These grapes were developed through careful crossbreeding of Poiculo, Jedira Aldo, and Maltavera grapes. It was developed to create a more standard taste than trying to combine wines from around the country. They're very small, but one bunch might hold up to a hundred individual grapes. The skin is tough and waxy, but the vintner tells me that the skins sink to the bottom of the vat when pressed. The ground here never freezes which is important for the survival of the plants. A single bad frost could decimate an entire year's yield. The last time that happened was eight years ago during an unusually cold winter everywhere. There was snow in the Fork which is almost unheard of. In the late afternoon, I have the opportunity to try some of this famed wine. It has an earthy smell with a hint of oak. It's definitely a dry wine with a slightly acidic taste, and it goes well with scallops and lemon sauce.
Quick Guide to
Caezoria Valley
The Caezoria Valley is located in northern Verona along the Firá and Poiculo Rivers. You can arrive there via a train from Alavera. The hotels are small and tend to be family owned, but you can get a nice view near the center of Caezoria for a reasonable price. Places along the Firá River are much more expensive. If you enjoy fishing, the valley is well worth a visit. During the summer, anglers from all over Tamaris visit to catch trout, bass, and carp. In the early morning, people are lined up all along the bank to fish. The area is most well known for high quality wine. Though a bit pricey, a weekend wine tour is a great way to see the valley and sample many excellent wines. Or, you can take a wine and olive tour. These are only offered in late autumn when the olives are ripe for harvest. Spend the mornings visiting olive groves and trying the unique blue olives and in the afternoons, visit the vineyards in the Caezoria Fork and watch the sunset over the hills. The valley is an amazing place to visit full of fresh air and mild weather. Be prepared for rain during spring and early summer, but the storms here are short and rarely impact enjoying the best that Verona has to offer. I definitely plan on coming here again.
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