Zenato’s Double Acts: A Tale of Two Terroirs

In the realm of wine, where history and innovation intertwine like vines in an ancient vineyard, there lies a story not just of a winery, but of a vision that transcended the bounds of the conventional. This is the tale of Zenato, nestled on the shores of Lake Garda in Peschiera del Garda of northern Italy, where the mellow morainic hills of Veneto cradle a legacy that began in 1960 with the late founder Sergio Zenato’s dream.

The Soul: Lugana

Sergio, with an intuition as rich as the soils of his land, saw beyond the Trebbiano di Lugana, a grape native to the region, envisioning a white wine that could sing the praises of its terroir. Zenato became synonymous with Lugana, elevating it on the global stage. It was here, in the historic vineyards of Podere Massoni in S. Cristina, that Zenato’s commitment to quality and tradition gave birth to wines like Lugana S. Cristina and Lugana Riserva Sergio Zenato, labels that garnered international accolades and admiration.

Sourced from the venerable Podere Massoni vineyard, Lugana Riserva Sergio Zenato stands as the pinnacle of its white winemaking. A much deeper and complex Trebbiano, it is a homage to the winery’s patriarch, matured partially in oak to achieve a harmonious blend of fruit and spice. Its rich bouquet and the enduring finish make it a compelling narrative of the land’s potential and the winemaker’s artistry.

The Heart: Valpolicella

But Zenato’s narrative is not one to rest on its laurels. The winery’s horizons stretched to the Valpolicella area, where the drama of the landscape—with its hills and valleys left by ancient glaciers—mirrors the depth and complexity of Zenato’s red wines.

Here, in the Costalunga estate, 35 hectares of land planted at 300 meters above sea level are dedicated to varieties such as Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Oseleta thrive, crafting the soulful notes of Amarone, a wine that carries the essence of tradition and the mark of a region renowned for its reds.

One of its most sought-after reds is the Amarone Riserva Sergio Zenato. The grapes are selected by plant in the vineyards that are in the municipality of Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella. Only experience and an intimate relationship with the vineyard make it possible to understand when a vintage can become Riserva, and each time this intuition gives birth to wines that express unprecedented, original, exclusive emotions. The 1980 vintage is the first to bear the signature on the label. The Reserves, all excellent vintages, are the noblest fruit of the passion with which the Zenato winery cultivates this land and its vineyards.

In addition to its prized Amarone, the winery also produces the Ripassa, a Valpolicella Superiore, re-fermented on the pomace of Amarone. With first vintage released in 1992, it encapsulates Zenato’s innovative spirit, creating a bridge between tradition and new expressions of winemaking.

Guiding Zenato into the future are Sergio’s wife Carla and their children, Alberto and Nadia, who have embraced the dual responsibility of stewarding a legacy and pioneering new paths. Alberto, with his devotion to the craft from vineyard to bottle, and Nadia, with her focus on broadening Zenato’s resonance across the globe, are testament to a family’s bond with their land and their wines.

In Zenato’s Lugana and Valpolicella wines, there is a dialogue between the land and the vine, a harmony of tradition and innovation. The wines are narratives of a place, a family, and a passion that transcends the boundaries of time.

As Zenato continues to craft wines that reflect the essence of their terroir, it has become a custodian of land and tradition. In the hands of the Zenato family, every vine, every bottle, is a bridge to the past and a gateway to the future, embodying a legacy of passion, quality, and the timeless pursuit of excellence.

Here are a few Zenato treasures, born from the lush landscapes of Lugana and the historic terrains of Valpolicella.

Wines to discover from Zenato:

Lugana San Benedetto: A vibrant expression of the Trebbiano di Lugana grape, this wine offers a crisp, refreshing palate with notes of green apple, pear, and a hint of almond—perfect for those looking to understand the essence of Lugana.

Lugana Riserva Sergio Zenato: Crafted from the oldest vines of the Podere Massoni vineyard, this reserve is a deeper dive into the potential of Lugana. Aged in a mix of oak and steel, it balances rich fruit flavors with an elegant minerality, making it a compelling choice for those seeking complexity.

Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa: Often described as “baby Amarone,” this wine undergoes a second fermentation with Amarone skins, offering a richer, deeper color and flavor profile with layers of dark fruit, spice, and chocolate. It’s a bridge between the traditional and the bold.

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico: The zenith of Zenato’s reds, this Amarone is a symphony of dried cherry, plum, and spice, with a velvety texture that envelopes the palate. It’s a wine that demands contemplation, embodying the winery’s pursuit of excellence. This wine is made from a selection of top grapes from Valpolicella Classica grown in Sant’Ambrogio township (Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta, and Croatina). The grapes are dried for 4 months and crushing is not carried out until January. Slow fermentation with skin contact follows and then the wine is aged for 36 months in large-format Slavonian casks.

Discover more about Zenato and its wines through its official website here or Links Concept.