The territories of production wines

The production area of Soave, divided into Classic and DOC, is located in the hillside area east of Verona. The Classic area is divided into only two municipalities, Soave and Monteforte d’Alpone, while the DOC area is made up of a variety of municipalities, which include San Martino Buon Albergo, Lavagno, Mezzane, Caldiero, Colognola ai Colli, Illasi, Cazzano di Tramigna, San Bonifacio, Roncà, Montecchia di Crosara and S. Giovanni Ilarione.

This particular area can be characterized by its mild climate, where summers tend to be temperate and winters less cold than neighboring areas. The surrounding hills of this region are mostly composed of tufa soil of volcanic origin and rich in limestone outcrops.

These characteristics allow for the cultivation of vines such as Garganega, Trebbiano di Soave, Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco, from which Soave Classico DOC, Soave DOC, Soave Superiore DOCG and Recioto di Soave DOCG wines are subsequently produced.

The Valpolicella area is a set of valleys located north of Verona, which extend from the Lessini Mountains to Lake Garda. The Classic production area includes the municipalities of San Pietro in Cariano, Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella, Fumane, Negrar and Marano di Valpolicella. The DOC area consists of 19 municipalities including Verona, Dolcè, Pescantina, San Martino B.A., Lavagno, Mezzane, Illasi, Tregnago, Colognola ai Colli, Grezzana, Cazzano di Tramigna, Cerro Veronese, Montecchia di Crosara, San Mauro di Saline and the 5 municipalities that are part of the Classic area.

The climate of this area is ideal for the cultivation of vines due greatly to the influence of the microclimate of Lake Garda, the cool winds from the Lessini Mountains and the subcontinental climate of the Po Valley. The rich soil in Valpolicella is mainly calcareous, while in some areas it is also clayey and rich in basaltic rocks.

Thanks to the characteristics of the territory, vines such as Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Molinara, Rondinella, Rossignola and Oseleta are able to be successfully cultivated. These grapes are then used for the production of the wines Corvina Veronese, Amarone della Valpolicella, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Ripasso and Recioto della Valpolicella (all with any specifications Superiore or Riserva, as well as with the references Classico, DOC, DOCG, IGT or Valpantena).

The production area of Custoza is a relatively small area situated between the Mincio river, Lake Garda and the city of Verona; it includes the municipalities of Villafranca, Peschiera del Garda, Valeggio sul Mincio, Sona, Sommacampagna, Castelnuovo del Garda, Bussolengo, Pastrengo and Lazise.

This territory has vast morainic hills interspersed with plains of gravel, rich in sediments and characterized by soils of various types. The climate, due to the proximity with Lake Garda, is not excessively cold during winter months with hot summers that are not overly humid.

The climatic and soil characteristics of this area are ideal for the cultivation of vines. The most common grape varieties in the area are Garganega, Riesling, Trebbiano, Trebbianello, Manzoni Bianco, Chardonnay, Malvasia and Bianca Fernanda; these grapes are then used to produce the Bianco di Custoza DOC, Bianco di Custoza Superiore DOC, Bianco di Custoza Passito DOC and Bianco di Custoza Spumante DOC wines.

The production area of Bardolino is located in the morainic amphitheater that goes from the east coast of Lake Garda to the city of Verona. This area is divided into both Classica and DOC zones. The first zone includes the six municipalities of Bardolino, Lazise, Garda, Affi, Cavaion Veronese and Costermano; while the DOC zone, in addition to the municipalities of the Classica, also includes Bussolengo, Pastrengo, Sommacampagna, Sona, Castelnuovo del Garda, Valeggio sul Mincio, Peschiera del Garda, Rivoli Veronese, Caprino and Torri del Benaco.

The proximity to Lake Garda gives this area a mild climate all year round. The hill-like terrain offers the vines excellent exposure to the sun and a richly versatile soil of clay, sand and gravel.

The climatic and geological characteristics of the area make it ideal for vines such as Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Molinara. The range of wines produced in this area include Bardolino DOC, Bardolino Classico DOC, Bardolino Chiaretto DOC, Bardolino Chiaretto Classico DOC, Bardolino Chiaretto Spumante DOC, Bardolino Novello DOC and Bardolino Superiore DOCG.

The production area of Lugana is located in the southern part of Lake Garda; divided between the provinces of Brescia and Verona sit the municipalities of Peschiera del Garda, Sirmione, Lonato, Desenzano and Pozzolengo.

This area can be divided into two regions: a flat area with clay soil and an area with steep and low hills where the soil consists of gravel with parts made of sandy clay. The climate of this territory is mild in temperature due in great part to the influence of Lake Garda. Mild temperatures in this region are uniquely constant with no extreme temperature shifts between day and night.

Due to the climatic and soil characteristics of these surrounding areas the vineyards cultivated in this region consist primarily of Turbiana (Trebbiano di Lugana) and Chardonnay. Turbiana is later used for the production of Lugana, Lugana Superiore, Lugana Riserva, Lugana Vendemmia Tardiva and Lugana Spumante wines; this range of wines boast the DOC denomination.