The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added the Zibibbo grape of Pantelleria Island to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The inclusion is a first for Italy as to date no other method of agricultural cultivation has received the prestigious recognition. The dry climate and high winds that sweep the Sicilian island forced farmers in ancient times to develop ways of protecting the vines, which are grown separately in hollows scooped out of the land. Today's Pantelleria wine-growers still use this laborious method to grow their grapes, which are then dried in the sun on wooden trestles. The result is the unique sweet passito dessert wine. The UNESCO Committee, representing the 161 member states, voted unanimously for the inclusion of Zibibbo.
