Blog: Cantina di Custoza · Veneto

Founded in 1968, the Cantina di Custoza is today equipped with the most modern production technologies and a profound know-how, which is based on the centuries-old wine-growing tradition of this area around Lake Garda. Founded by 83 winegrowers, Cantina di Custoza can now draw on the vineyards of 227 winegrowers, who together cultivate about 1,000 hectares of vines around the southern tip of Lake Garda. This is the heartland of the Custoza DOC area, which benefits from a unique microclimate thanks to its proximity to Lake Garda. Here, in the heart of the country, the same conditions prevail as in the coastal areas of the Mediterranean. This circumstance favors the agriculture and especially the viticulture immensely. It is therefore hardly surprising that the first archaeological findings testifying to the cultivation of vines in the area of Sommacampagna date back to the beginnings of viticulture, that is to say, to the Roman and Etruscan periods. Historically, the area around Custoza is particularly known for its importance during the Italian wars of liberation. This area was the scene of some bloody battles between the Austro-Hungarian troops and Garibaldi's freedom fighters. Even today, monuments and field names bear witness to this eventful period.

Meanwhile, some members of the Cantina di Custoza have oriented their farms even more towards quality wine. Among them Bresaola Nicola, the winemaker Tumulo Alessandro, the brothers Sterzi Silvio and Sterzi Bruno and the Az. Agr. Monte Vento of the family Bontemponi. They cultivate a total of almost 30 hectares of vineyards that meet the highest standards. They are controlled and advised by one of the most prestigious Italian institutes in the field of agriculture.

In the meantime, 5 members of the Cantina di Custoza have completely or partially converted their farms to natural cultivation. These are the Az. Agr. Bresaola Nicola, the winegrower Tumulo Alessandro, the brothers Sterzi Silvio and Sterzi Bruno and the Az. Agr. Monte Vento of the family Bontemponi. They cultivate a total of almost 30 hectares of vineyards that meet the standards of nature. They are controlled and advised by one of the most renowned Italian institutes in the field of natural agriculture, the ICEA (Istituto per la Certificazione Etica e Ambientale).

Custoza DOC Terre in Fiore is traditionally made from Tocai, Garganega, Friulano and Trebbiano grapes. The vineyards that produce this splendid white wine are located in the hilly and particular valley areas of the fraction of Custoza and the municipality of Valeggio sul Mincio. In general, Custoza DOC is known for its freshness, its marked fruit and its floral notes. Considering these characteristics, one cannot be surprised that in former years this white wine was nicknamed 'il vino delle dame', that is 'the wine of the ladies'. The Custoza DOC Terre in Fiore reflects all these typical characteristics at its best. - Gerardo [TS02/23]

"Custoza - the name comes from the setting of William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', the medieval Verona of Cangrande della Scala, the great statesman and patron of Dante Alighieri. To protect the flourishing city, the Cangrande built an extensive fortification, the last defensive bastion before the city walls was a small village on a hill in front, called 'Custodia'. Over the centuries 'Custodia' became today's Custoza, the historic home of the Cantina. The place where the first Custoza DOC was pressed 50 years ago. Today 'Custodia' denotes the best cru, the Custoza Superiore DOC. Based on the experience of the winemakers and consultants, oenologist Luca Oliosi selects every year 10 hectares in the best locations. These are the vineyards where, thanks to their exposure, altitude and soil structure, the best grapes of the Garganega, Trebbiano, Fernanda and Incrocio Manzoni varieties mature. Carefully selected and harvested by hand, the grapes undergo a cold maceration before fermentation, followed by a long aging on the fine lees in large French oak barrels. This results in a complex and long-lasting white wine. The perfect tribute to the centuries-old winemaking tradition of the Veneto and the impressive amphitheater of lush green hills created by the glaciers of Lake Garda in the Veronese hinterland." - Falstaff