Where Italy's Largest Lake Meets the Vineyards: Discovering Garda DOC

As we welcome a new year it’s always important to think about what goals one has in mind to start the year.  I  myself am always looking ot broaden my horizon in the wine world and that includes exploring new wine regions, wineries and grape varieties.  That is exactly the theme of our wine writers group this month led by Lynn at Savor the Harvest this month.  Each one of us explores something new or different to share with all our readers as well as ourselves.   

For me personally, I decided to share some wines that I explored recently from the Garda DOC.  I recently attended a virtual tasting led by one of our writers Susannah and the VP of the Garda DOC Consorzio and owner of Perla del Garda, Giovanna Andrea.  Although visiting Lake Garda is not new to me as I have been fortunate to make it there once before, learning more about the Garda DOC and what it encompasses was newer to me.   

Copyright of Consorzio Garda DOC

The Wines of Lake Garda 

I’ve tried a number of wines through the years that I’ve shared with you from all around Lake Garda, lago di Garda, to include Bardolino, Chiaretto, Soave, Lugana, Custoza and nearby the wines of the Valpolicella wine region.   

Lake Garda is the biggest lake in Italy and actually the 2nd largest lake in Europe, along with being one of the deepest lakes that helps retain both the heat and the cold that influences the grapes.  Lake Garda was formed 5-6 million years ago due to a shift in the teutonic plates of Europe and Africa. 

Lake Garda encompasses 3 northernly regions including Trentino to the north, Lombardy to the west and the Veneto to the east.  The majority of the wines produced under the Garda DOC come from the Veneto side.  It has a unique microclimate due to situation between the Mediterranean and it’s close proximity to the Alpine mountain ranges that can provide intense winds.  The lake helps mitigate the weather pattern creating a sub-continental climate that is ideal for the vineyards.  Heck, they even are growing lemons and oranges.  

The Consorzio Garda DOC is a younger consortium started in 1996. It’s made up of a number of coops and about 250 producers.  It encompasses 10 historical denominations: Valtenesi, San Martino della Battaglia, Lugana, Colli Mantovani, Custoza, Bardolino, Valpolicella, Valdadige, Durello and Soave.  What’s unique about the Garda DOC is that it gives producers making wines in these previously mentioned appellations, to have flexibility to also produce wines with international grapes like the Pinot Grigio and Merlot wines that I’m sharing today that aren’t allowed under the other designations. 

The Garda DOC Wines 

I sampled a couple Pinot Grigio wines under the Garda DOC.  The requirement is that these wines are made with at least 85% Pinot Grigio, but many of the producers will produce these wines without blending.  Pinot Grigio is the leading grape in the Garda DOC wine production with Chardonnay being a close 2nd followed by the Garganega grape. 

 

My pick of the two Pinot Grigio was the 2024 Prendina Pinot Grigio Garda DOC.  Grown on morainic soils with clay and limestone, the juice of this wine was left on the lees to add complexity.  A pale, brilliant straw color, pretty floral aromas filled the glass with peach and citrus.  Light to medium bodied with lovely fruit flavors of citrus, pineapple and peach.  A lively palate with its bright acidity and lasting finish that lingered.  ABV 12.5% 

The 2024 Ca’ Vegar Pinot Grigio Garda DOC is grown in the morainic hills made of of calcareous soils and clay.  This 100% Pinot Grigio is aged 4 months in stainless steel, which helps to show the fruit. Pale straw colored, almost clear in the glass.  Floral aromas with lemon, apple and slight peach notes.  Light-bodied, with continuous mouthwatering acidity on the palate filled with notes of tart apple. ABV 12.5% 

The 2024 Cantina Collini Morenici Merlot Garda DOC is part of the cooperative, Cantina di Verona, that was esblished in 2021 which is made up of 550 members.  This winery is in the southern part of Lake Garda.  This wine is made from 100% Merlot.  The grapes are macerated for 10-12 days and refined in steel for freshness.  This Merlot may not be what many are used to when they think of Merlot.  This merlot was very pale in ruby color.  Aromas of ripe black cherry, blueberries and violet.  A lighter medium bodied Merlot, smooth with nice acidity.  Blackberry with a little spice and hint of cocoa.  ABV 13% 

Venturing to Lake Garda

With Lake Garda spanning three wine regions you'll get a variety of different cultures, cuisines and wines in a short span.  Choose which side of the lake you'd like to base yourself.  As a I suggestion you may want to consider the southern point as it's easier to maneuver all around and it's a higher concentration of wineries and vineyards. to the north of Lake Garda it's more mountainous.  

I suggest renting a car for more freedom, but there are ferries that connect some of the major points of the lake.  For those of you that are willing to take the physically fit challenge you can bike your way around and explore that way too. 

Follow along with the rest of our food and wine writers as they take you on an exploration of hopefully something new to you for the new year.

• Armenia: A Wine Story Spanning Six Thousand Years by Culinary Cam

• Explore the Wilds of Spain in Priorat by Food Wine Click!

• Exploring Garda Bianco from Poggio delle Grazie as we enter 2026 by A Day in the Life on the Farm

• Friuli Venezia Giulia: Rosazzo Discoveries by Avvinare

• New Wine Company in the Hills of the Ozarks (Missouri) by Our Good Life

• Something New: Visiting Wineries in Five States You Might Not Expect by Cooking Chat

• The Mystery of Korean Ginseng Wine Explored by Side Hustle Wino

• The Slovakian Princess Grape: Pesecká Leánka by Wineivore

• Wine Explorations 2026: regions, wineries and varieties, featuring négrette and Applegate Valley AVA by Savor the Harvest

You can find other wines from the Garda DOC on Wine.com to try.  I may receive compensation for any wines purchased through the affiliate link in support of the operations of Vino Travels.  

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*These wines were provided as samples, but opinions are always my own. 

 

The Silver Lining of Bolgheri: The Wines of Tenuta Argentiera

In the heart of southern Tuscany is one of one of Italy and Tuscany’s prestigious wine regions, Bolgheri.  Wine lovers may be most familiar with this territory for the innovate “Super Tuscan” reds that hit the scene in the late 20th century. I was introduced to these wines via a virtual tasting hosted by Argentiera and Studio Cru and led by Argentiera’s winemaker, Nicoló Carrara, whom has been their winemaker wince 2009. 

Nicoló Carrara 

In this article I feature the wines of Argentiera, a winery that takes pride in its distinctive reds made from Bordeaux grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.   

Where is Bolgheri? 

Bolgheri sits in the southwestern part of Tuscany covering over 3,700 acres of land.  The area is in the shape of an amphitheater that hugs the Tuscan coastline for 8 miles.  The vineyards slowly slope downwards towards the Tyrrhenian Sea while being backed by hills and surrounded with the biodiversity of the Tuscan forest.  

Argentiera has some of Bolgheri’s highest elevated vineyards in the area reaching up to 650 feet above sea level overlooking the Tuscan Archipelago and Tyrrhenian Sea.  It is here that the grapes receive frequent sea breezes helping with ventilation for the grapes along with reflection off the sea further exposing the grapes to the warmth from the sun.  The diurnal swings in temperature help with the freshness and high acidity in the wines.   

copyright of Argentiera

The wines obtain minerality from the stony, mineral rich soils.  In the lower parts it is more sandy and red due to the sea.  In the higher sections the soils consist of more limestone and clay. 

About Argentiera 

The history of Bolgheri is known for its silver mining during the time of the Etruscans, silver translating to argento in Italian, hence the name of the winery, Argentiera. The estate was founded in 1999 in the town of Castagneto Carducci by Florentine entrepreneurs, the Fratinis.  Originally it was part of the Donoratico estate that belonged to the Florence family, Serristori, whom acquired it in 1512.  

The Argentinera estate consists of 100 acres that is only about one mile from the Tyrrhenian Sea amongst the hills of Donoratico. 

 

Argentiera’s mission is to create wines in the vineyard that demonstrate elegance and freshness and to maintain those expressions throughout the winemaking process.  In 2016 when Stanilaus Turnauer, an Austrian entrepreneur, took over Argentiera, his aim was to respect the heritage and provide an innovative approach to winemaking while giving these wines the international attention they deserve.  It came to life under known Marchese Piero Antinori, one of the Bolgheri DOC’s founders joined with the expertise of agronomist now CEO, Federico Zileri Dal Verme. 

The wines of Argentiera 

These wines I sampled show both power and elegance with a distinct expression of the territory while representing a land and winery backed by a rich history. 

2022 Argentiera Donoratico Bolgheri Rosso DOC is named after the hills of Donoratico nearby and the original villa from the 18th century.  These vineyards are 90% made up of clay.  The wine is polished and an approachable style in comparison to the Bolgheri Superiore.  This wine is made up of 46% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc and is refined in 500 liter oak tonneaux. 

Villa Donoratico

Deep ruby in color with aromas of forest berries with some spice and a hint of licorice.  Full-bodied and dry on the palate with rich, plush darker fruit, but still showing freshness and elegance.  I personally preferred this wine over the Poggio Ai Ginepri for it’s fruit profile and character.  ABV 14.5%, SRP $55. 

The 2022 Argentiera Poggio Ai Ginepri Toscana IGT  is made of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot that are all separately vinified.  These grapes are grown on 30 hectares that are located closest to the ancient coastal round, Aurelia.  There the soils are full of red sands.   

The wine comes from younger vines.  It’s bright ruby in color with aromas of cherries and blackberries.  Medium to full bodied, dry with notes of black currants and blackberries.  ABV 14.5%, SRP $30 

The 2023 Argentiera Scenario Bolgheri Bianco DOC Vermentino is made from 100% Vermentino grown in small vineyards that were planted 6 years ago at the top of the Donoratico hills.  It’s a smaller production for Argentiera with only 3,000 bottles produced annually.  Brilliant straw color in the glass.  Medium bodied that is fresh, displaying citrus and stone fruits along with some nice minerality showing on the palate.  ABV 12.5%  

The flagship wines of Argentinera are the Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore DOC wines.  I was lucky to do a side by side comparison of the 2021 Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore and the 2022 vintage.  Similar in style with my personal preference leaning towards the 2022 vintage, although winemaker Nicolo said that the 2021 vintage was the one of the best for its weather.

With a slight difference on the blends, the 2022 Argentiera Bolgheri Rosso Superiore DOC is made up of 46% Merlot, 435 Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc.  This wine receives no more than 14 months aging in wood including French barrique, tonneaux and 3000 liter big casks.  It spends 6 months in concrete before the final blend and less than a year in the bottle.  Deep ruby in color with intense fruit aromas of plum, raspberry, blackberry and currant along with some sweet tobacco and spice.  Full-bodied with concentrated black fruits on the palate, nice structure and freshness.  ABV 14%, SRP $150. 

The 2021 Argentiera Bolgheri Rosso Superiore DOC is a blend of 48% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon jand 7% Cabernet Franc.  Also deep ruby in color with similar aromas to the 2022.  Full-bodied with rich black fruits and a solid tannic backbone and good acidity. A silkiness on the finish along with touch of cedar.  ABV 14.5%, SRP $150 

You can find the wines from Argentiera on Wine.com to try.  I may receive compensation for any wines purchased through the affiliate link in support of Vino Travels.

Importer: Volio Imports 

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 *These wines were provided as samples, but opinions are always my own.

"Stone of the Fairy" with Tenuta Licinia's Sasso di Fata wines

Earlier this year I attended a virtual tasting hosted by Studio Cru and Tenuta Licinia led by owner and winemaker, James Marshall Lockyer.  Tenuta Licinia sits at about 1,180 feet above sea level and  is located at the foothills of the Apennines on the deep fertile hills bordering the Valdichiana near the town of Lucignano in the Arezzo province.

Lucignano - sourced from Wikipedia

Tenuta Licinia came about in an unplanned manner.  James’s grandfathers had made friends with Italians that were living in Brussels where he resided in the 1960s.  In the 70’s his Italian friends invited him to Tuscany and during his trip was asked if he would be interested in restoring one of their old farms.  His grandfather at that time was a lawyer and was tempted so decided to purchase the 3 hectare parcel of land.  The neighbors had informed him that the land that he purchased used to make good wine.  He was doubtful, but his interest in wine, vineyards and subsoils grew throughout his travels in Italy and he saw similarities in what he was discovering in comparison to the land that he had acquired. 

He decided to replant the land with Cabernet Sauvignon because he was Belgium and French so it what he was brought on, plus he was a fan of Burgundian wines.  The soils he was planting on were a yellow galestro soil, that was a type of chalky slate soil.  This particular soil was known for producing fantastic wines in other areas of southern Tuscany. 

James's grandfather eventually acquired another 1.5 hectares next door.  The environment surrounding these vineyards were encompassed by forests and rather isolated without any nearby neighbors.  It's a wild, green environment with much wildlife to include wolves and wild boars.  Even at one point they had some kangaroos that had escaped a nearby farm James shared with us.

Overview of Tenuta Licinia's estate

For the last 15 years James and his grandfather had worked on reinvigorating forgotten vineyards with specific subsoils.  Their first vintage was produced in 2013.  The entire production was destroyed from a freak hailstorm where fish even flew into the vineyard from a nearby lake so they lost everything but 40 bottles that year.  A tough start!

James took over from his grandfather and replanted the vineyards of Sasso di Fata in 2006.  The vines have been certified organic since they were planted and the winery also follows biodynamics in their vineyards.   The style of wine that Tenuta Licinia aims for is what they describe as a “clos style: strong aromatic definitions and intensity as well as strong vineyard-centric mineral properties”.  Their aim is for less extraction and to keep the fruit fresh showing the aromatics and minerals.  

The Wines

We tasted the following wines with James:

·         2019 Sasso di Fata Toscana Rosso IGT

·         2021 Sasso di Fata Toscana Rosso IGT

Let’s take a further look at them.  

Where does the name Sasso di Fata come from?

The field where Sasso di Fata is located is called Meleto, which is a famous name of a winery in Chianti Classico, Castello di Meleto.  Since they couldn't use that name that was being utilized James called the local village historian to see what information he could dig up to help in naming these wines.  The historian had informed him that in the Middle of the Ages there was a sand stone called Sasso di Fata from the area that vaguely has the face of a fairy in it.  Hence the name Sasso di Fata, which translates to stone of the fairies.

The Sasso di Fata wines were the first cru wines for Tenuta Licinia that took 15 years to make in order for them to find the perfect harmony that they were seeking.  That there is a labor of love! Three things for James that identify the Sasso di Fata wines are the floral aromas of rose, the minerality showing saline and graphite notes, and a velvety finish and texture. 

The 2019 Sasso di Fata Toscana Rosso IGT was the first wine labeled and released to the market.  James made this with his grandfather.  His grandfather made 90% of the wine before he became ill with James finishing off the rest.  This wine was considered their “prototype” that showed elements from the various vineyards and the characteristics they were looking for, but without the maximum expressions of the grapes.  They extracted less since they picked early or as James called it "al dente".

The 2019 Sasso di Fata is made from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.  A deeper ruby color, this wine has floral aromas of blackberries and cherries with notes of balsamic. A little tight upon opening with some moderate tannins that become more silky on the palate. Black fruits are shown on the palate with a touch of slate. A small production of only 3,000 bottles grown on about 2.5 hectares.

In 2020 James’s grandfather became ill so the next vintage they made was the 2021 Sasso di Fata Toscana Rosso IGT.  James stated that this wine “ is closer to the finished product they are looking for with all the bones” in a harmonious way.  This is considered their flagship wine and comes from about 6-7 acres.  A different blend than the prior, this wine is made up of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot.  James called this an “alternative to the Super Tuscan” wines.  

James expressed that his ideal blend of the Sasso di Fata wines would be 50-55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30-35% Cabernet Franc for the aromatics, with the remaining blend consisting of Merlot.  Unfortunately with the 2021 vintage they lost a lot of their Cabernet Franc grapes.

The 2021 Sasso di Fata was a deep ruby color with highlights of purple.  I loved the floral aromatics on this one as I found it more intense than the 2019 vintage full of juicy blackberries.  Full-bodied with great savory notes on the palate. Firm tannins with a good acid backbone.  

Both wines run about $72-74 SRP.

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*These wines were provided as samples, but opinions are always my own.  Importer: Vera Wines