Abstract

Understanding and attributing meaning to cultural landscapes is a challenge in the context of cultural heritage studies, particularly since managing and preserving such physically, socially, and culturally constructed spaces requires processes which call for the active engagement of the local communities. As traditional guardians of cultural heritage, museums are urged to define their role within ever-changing and fluid landscapes, in order to understand how and to what extend to negotiate identity meanings and values with the surrounding communities. This article will analyse the case of the vineyard landscape of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato (Italy), a recently recognised World Heritage site, where a long history of winegrowing in the cultural tradition has to be intertwined with modern needs to guarantee a sustainable development.