Le Morette - Garda, Verona
The land, the wine and the excellence
The Morette – Valerio Zenato farm today is one of the most dynamic areas of production of Lugana DOC. Its headquarters are in San Benedetto di Lugana, in the thin belt that divides the southern bank of Lake Garda and the Frassino Lake, which is an important naturalistic site and natural reserve.
The farm is developed over 30 hectares of vineyards divided in three estates, two in San Benedetto di Lugana and one near the Sirmione Palace, in the agricultural area nearest to Lake Garda. Here there are the toughest plots of land, that sometimes force grapevines to limit conditions, particularly for water supplies. Nevertheless this is the zone of “first territorial cru”, the one where white wines of greater structure are produced and which are characterized by a strong minerality. Our company philosophy is based on the solid bond with the territory the balance of which is guaranteed particularly by the use of organic amendments and substances of natural origin. Each phase of production, from the grapevine up to harvest and winemaking, is followed personally and with care by the family, as a guarantee of a production with a strong personality.
Three generations of history and a bright future
Founded by Gino Zenato over 60 years ago, the company was born as a farm for vineshoot production, intended for viticulture. Gino from the start backed up this activity with winemaking self production, as a direct test bed for his farming activity.
In 1981 his son Valerio took over the farm management, and he enriched the production with high value wines, at once characterised by a strong personality. He therefore achieved his first awards and definitely launched the company towards quality winemaking production. His wines are distinguished by their marked minerality and structure, which are typical characteristics of this territory and they are interpreted in an elegant and refined style.
Fabio and Paolo, the third generation of winemakers, support Valerio in managing the company and continue the family tradition with the same passion and enthusiasm of their grandfather. The new cellar is a symbol of their commitment and dedication; a building that carries both tradition and innovation and was made to comply with ecosostenibility technological innovation parametres, with wide spaces reserved for whoever has a passion for wine.
A symbol of the Garda
The Morette are a particular species of wild duck which nests in the Frassino Lake. A bird that once could be seen every day during periods of nesting and that still today can be encountered a few steps away from our cellar.
We chose this animal as a symbol of our farm because of its beauty and elegance and because of the meaning that this particular species carries within. The deep respect for nature and the care for the environment, that distinguish our farm wereborn from the actual positioning of the vineyards; they are in fact, on the banks of the Frassino Lake, an area denominated protected natural oasis for its floral and wildlife distinctive traits.
A sensitivity expressed in a daily modus operandi, developed in full compliance with the naturalistic balance and with a solid bond with the territory, the stability of which is guaranteed by the implementation of integrated farming principles, with the aim of defining the vegetable-productive balance of the vineyards, by using organic amendments and natural origin substances.
The new winery: a space where past and future meet
In October 2013 the new headquarters of the company Le Morette was inaugurated. It is a completely new structure, built with the greatest respect for the environment and surrounded by vineyards, in a 10 hectare area. The project focuses above all on agricultural and functional aspects, as well as on environmental awareness. The building recalls a traditional farmer’s courtyard and on the outer profile there are two turrets that stand out and from which the surrounding vineyards can be admired. The productive area, instead, is completely developed in the basement. This design choice allows to grape processing taking advantage of gravity thanks to the 7 metre depth where the work spaces – with the most modern oenological technologies – are. In the basement there is also the cooper, made with brick vaults. It is an environment with controlled temperature and humidity levels, designed for wine ageing. The cellar is almost self sufficient for electric energy production, thanks to the 92 Kw integrated type photovoltaic system which has architectural innovation features, that is with modules integrated in the construction process rather than applied as panels at a later stage. It is the largest system of this type, so far made in the province of Verona. Even the bulding’s heating system draws from solar panels, thanks to the use of heating pumps which optimize their energy efficiency. This project represents for the Zenato family a point of arrival, crowning achievement for the dedications to work of three generations. And at the same time, it is a starting point, with suitable spaces at last and with the most modern technologies, which will allow the achievement of new goals.
