6 Lugana wineries to visit in Lower Garda

Lugana wine is considered one of the excellences of the Lower Garda, an area to visit and to savor. If you are visiting Verona you cannot miss a food and wine tour of this wonderful area. This area includes two provinces, Verona and Brescia, both characterized by rich landscapes and by a mild microclimate. During the tour you can discover the wineries, learn the production process and taste this excellent wine. There are various routes that can be done, lasting one or more days, and to be done in different ways, whether on foot, by bike, by car or by motorbike. Whatever your preference, during these routes you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the area, admire the woods, hills and vineyards of Lake Garda and at the same time savor its products, including wine, oil, cheeses, truffles, fish, honey, fruit and much more. There are various better-known routes, such as the Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori del Garda on the Brescia side, but you can also build an ad hoc route, in which to discover some of the best Lugana wineries.

The Lugana production area extends south of Lake Garda, between Lonato , Desenzano , Sirmione , Pozzolengo and Peschiera del Garda . Lugana is produced from Turbiana grape, or Trebbiano di Lugana, a vine characterized by a strong acidity and therefore very suitable for the production of quality white wines. The production of this white wine must comply with very strict standards, dictated by the DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin). In fact, it must consist of a minimum of 90% of Turbiana grapes and a maximum of 10% of other grapes. The history of this wine probably dates back to the age of the ancient Romans and the Lombards even if some suggest that its origins derive even from prehistoric times. Some testimonies lead us to believe that a grape-based drink was already drunk in the Bronze Age, while in Roman times, wine was already produced in this area. The spread of the vine was favored both by Giangaleazzo Visconti, who had the Lugana forest cleared for war reasons, and later by the Republic of Venice which began the conversion of the territory from a marsh to an agricultural area.
However, it took a long time for the Lugana as we know yi today to be produced, mainly due to diseases and wars that stopped its production. It was only in the twentieth century, in fact, that this wine began to be known and appreciated by many people. In the 1950s and 1960s, Lugana wine had already acquired a defined identity and in 1967 it became part of a DOC. Lugana Spumante and Lugana Superiore were born in 1975 and 1998 respectively.

Lake Garda is one of the most visited wine tourism destinations, a place where the Mediterranean vegetation mixes with the alpine mountains. If you are looking for a food and wine tour in this wonderful area, you cannot miss these 6 wineries:
– Bertoldi
– Ca ‘dei frati
– Ca ‘Maiol
– Fraccaroli
– Perla del Garda
– Zenato

1. Cantina Bertoldi
Cantina Bertoldi was founded in 1932 by the Bertoldi family, who decided to cultivate the fields on the hills near Lake Garda. The history of this winery began with Emilio, and was carried on by the new generations, engaged in the development of the farm itself. It is possible to organize a guided tour of the company upon reservation, during which you can admire the vineyards and learn about the winemaking process, as well as taste good wine.

2. Cantina Ca’ dei Frati
The Ca ‘dei Frati winery has been known since 1782 and developed under the Dal Cero family who have been carrying it on for generations. Here you can book tours lasting about 30 minutes, followed by a tasting of 3 or 4 wines.

3. Cantina Ca’ Maiol
The history of the Ca ‘Maiol winery has always been linked to the production of Lugana and to the passion of Walter Contato, who founded it in 1967. The winery was then passed on to his children who inherited the love for this region and the desire to continue improving its production. The winery organizes wine tastings upon reservation and subject to availability. A tasting, for a minimum of two people, lasts 1 hour and 10 minutes, and consists in tasting four different types of Lugana, from sparkling to rosé.

4. Cantina Fraccaroli
Cantina Fraccaroli offers the opportunity to participate in a guided tour of the wine cellar and enjoy a lunch or a dinner paired with its wines. During the guided tour you will be able to see the entire production process, from the harvest / winemaking room to the bottling room. As for lunch or dinner, you have the possibility to choose between 3 fixed price menus that vary according to the season.

5. Cantina Perla del Garda
The vineyards of the Perla del Garda winery extend for about 34 hectares in an area between Desenzano and Sirmione. This winery offers not only guided tours but real experiences, including picnics in the vineyard and guided tours at the Ugo da Como Foundation, which contains art collections and a library with over 50,000 volumes.

6. Cantina Zenato
The Zenato Winery , from the slogan the “soul of Lugana and the heart of Valpolicella”, is located in San Benedetto di Lugana. It is here that in 1960 Sergio Zenato decided to estabilish his winery, which he carried out with great passion and work with the support of his wife and children. It is possible to book a guided tour of the winery. The classic one includes a tour of the cellar, a visit to the vineyards with an explanation of the production processes and, finally, a tasting of 4 wines: Lugana Brut, Lugana San Benedetto, Ripasso and Amarone.