Surveys of mites in six vineyards and in the surrounding vegetation (hedgerows and stand margins) were carried out in different areas of the Veneto Region (northeastern Italy). Phytophagous mites (e.g. Tetranychoidea and Eriophyoidea) were rarely abundant in vineyards and the surrounding vegetation. Tydeoidea were widespread in vineyards and on wild plants. Winterschmidtiidae common on some wild plants but not in vineyards. Phytoseiidae were a major part of the mite communities in vineyards and on natural vegetation. A total of 18 phytoseiid species were found on the natural vegetation, 6 species occurring on grapevines. Leaf morphology appeared to be more important than prey availability with regard to phytoseiid colonization. Some predatory mites dominated in both the vineyard and the natural vegetation, in particular Amblyseius andersoni and Typhlodromus pyri. The mechanisms affecting abundance and persistence of phytoseiids on wild plants should be studied to optimise strategies for successful population management in vineyards. Plant species with rich phytoseiid diversity or supporting high densities of important species could be considered for planting and/or conserve hedgerows.