Story: Cà dei Frati | Lombardy
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Cà dei Frati - pioneer of Lugana wine and trailblazer of a trend
The renowned Cà dei Frati winery is not only known as one of the most famous producers of Lugana on Lake Garda, but also as the founder of the Lugana trend, which became known far beyond Italy's borders. With a history dating back to 1940, Cà dei Frati has developed into one of the first and most important addresses for high-quality wines in the region. What began with the commitment of Pietro Dal Cero and his family is now a modern winery that is known not only for its excellent wines, but also for its philosophy of consistently placing quality above all else. Over the years, this has made the winery an icon of Lugana wine.

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The roots of success - tradition meets innovation
The origins of Cà dei Frati lie in a clear vision: Pietro Dal Cero, who founded the winery in 1940, focused on high-quality wine production from the very beginning. But it was above all his children, Igino, Franco and Anna Maria, who led the winery into a new era in the 1970s. They began to look after the winery full-time and started to modernize the winery from the ground up and focus on even higher quality production. They were one of the first wineries in the Lugana region to focus on strict quality standards and began vinifying parcel by parcel - a practice that was a rarity in the region at the time.

This innovative spirit has continued over the years: today, located near the picturesque town of Sirmione, Cà dei Frati presents itself as a modern winery with an impressive infrastructure that is committed to tradition but at the same time uses state-of-the-art technology. The winery is in a constant state of flux, with all stages of wine production geared towards quality - from the cultivation of the grapes to the vinified bottling.

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Vinification in detail - precision on every plot
An essential part of Cà dei Frati's philosophy is the separate vinification of the grapes from each individual plot. This method, which is now standard in many wineries, has been followed here from the very beginning and has given the estate's wines an unmistakable structure and character. Each plot is worked with particular care and the grapes are processed in small quantities in order to preserve the best qualities of the grape variety and the terroir. Precise control over the entire production process is another key to the winery's success.

The winery's infrastructure was recently expanded to include a new vaulted cellar specifically designed for the ageing of barriques. This new cellar area is not only a technical expansion, but also a symbol of the winery's ongoing development. The barriques are mainly used for ageing the red and white wines, which develop their complex aromas in these oak barrels and underline the special characteristics of the winery.

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Lugana Brolettino - a masterpiece of winemaking
Among the many wines produced by Cà dei Frati, Lugana Brolettino stands out as one of the most remarkable. This wine has established itself not only as the most popular, but also as one of the best white wines in the Lake Garda region. What sets Brolettino apart is the way in which it is produced: In contrast to the basic I Frati version, Brolettino is aged for six months in wooden barrels, which gives it a remarkable structure and makes it a wine capable of ageing for years. This additional ageing in wooden barrels gives Brolettino a complexity and depth that sets it apart from many other Lugana wines. Brolettino is a prime example of how a wine is shaped by a region and a philosophy that always places quality above quantity.

However, the estate's other wines are in no way inferior to the Brolettino. The Ronchedone, a fascinating blend of such unusual grape varieties as Groppello, Sangiovese, Barbera and Marzemino, demonstrates Cà dei Frati's creative approach to wine production. The Ronchedone combines fruitiness and structure in an elegant way and is another example of the company's innovative strength. Equally remarkable is the Pratto, another white wine from the estate, which is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. This wine also matures for six months in barriques and has made a name for itself with its complexity and freshness.

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The road to success - a pioneer of the Lugana trend
What sets Cà dei Frati apart from many other wineries is not only the high quality of its wines, but also the role that the winery has played in the history of Lugana wine. As one of the first producers in the region, Cà dei Frati has played a decisive role in shaping the Lugana trend and has helped Lugana wines to gain a place in the premier league of Italian white wines worldwide. Lugana Brolettino, with its elegance and complexity, has become synonymous with the high art of Lugana wine production and has helped to raise the profile of the Lugana region. Cà dei Frati is not just a winery, but a symbol of the successful combination of tradition and innovation, of the desire to produce wines that both shine in the here and now and have great ageing potential.

The winery has made a name for itself by respecting its roots in tradition, but at the same time is always willing to break new ground and question the possibilities of wine production. Cà dei Frati's success is a prime example of how a clear vision and a relentless passion for quality can develop into a world-renowned name - and how a winery can revolutionize an entire style of wine. Today, Cà dei Frati is synonymous with excellent wines from the Lake Garda region that reflect the passion and dedication of the Dal Cero family with every bottle. - Gerardo [TS11/24]

"Drink the Lugana young and you taste its freshness. Drink Lugana after two or three years, and you enjoy its richness. Drink it after ten years, and you will be surprised that it still bears youthful traits. A Lugana retains its character, which is rare in wines. Once you have tasted it, provided you are a good taster, it will remain in your memory forever. A great painter and a great musician are also recognized in his works: every time you see or hear them, you realize abruptly: it's him." - Luigi Veronelli