Vino Travels has released it’s first quarterly exclusive newsletter to subscribers last month and the feature was on the wonderful wine appellation of Lugana wines. If you’re a subscriber I’d love to hear from you if you enjoyed it or if you want to see something different in the next newsletter. If you missed it and want to learn more about the Lugana wine region including information on the native Turbiana grape, typical pairings, an interview with the President of the Consorzio Tutela Lugana, and places to see, just visit my site at www.vinotravelsitaly.com and subscribe. I’ll send you a copy!
Cantina Zeni winery
This week I decided to follow up sharing a Lugana wine from renowned Cantina Zeni that I tasted while preparing for my newsletter Release. The Zeni estate was founded over 150 years ago back in 1870 by Bartolomeo Zeni Whom was a traveling wine merchant at the time. Gaetano “Nino” Zeni Helped to modernize the business and established the wineries we know today. Today, the winery is led by the 5th generation, Nino’s children, Elena, Federico and Fausto.
Cantina Zeni’s winery can be found in two locations, the main estate is in Bardolino on the eastern shores of Lake Garda and the other is in the Valpolicella wine region. They occupy over 60 acres
of vineyards with their estate grapes, but they also contract with
respected growers to help supplement some of their production. 
Elena, Federica, Fausto Zeni - sourced from Cantina Zeni
Sirmione on Lake Garda
The Wine
I tasted the 2024 Zeni Vigne Alte Lugana DOC wine that is labeled as Trebbiano. It makes it a little easier for the average consumer that may not know what a wine from Lugana is made from since most labels don’t bare the grape. This wine is made from 100% Turbiana, also known as Trebbiano di Lugana. The grapes are grown in white clay, limestone rich soils. The grapes are hand harvested and then macerated on the skins and gently pressed.
“Vigne Alte” stands for tall vines and probably represents how the vineyards in Bardolino are set on morainic hills. This wine was pale straw in color with aromas of stone fruit and tropical notes. It was nice lightly bodied with crisp acidity brightened with some lemon citrus, pineapple and a little tang/bitterness. ABV 13%, SRP $20-22.
If you visit the Zeni wine estate in Bardolino you can also experience their treasured wine museum, which was a vision of Nino’s established in 1991.
You can find many Lugana wines to sample on your own at Wine.com. I may receive compensation for any wines purchased through the affiliate link in support of Vino Travels.