Monte Zovo

MONTE ZOVO is not only a hill in the hinterland of the beautiful Lake Garda near the town of Bardolino, but also a winery. This has been located on the hill for almost one hundred years.

History of the winery 

The success story of the Cottini family began in 1925, when Carlo Cottini founded the first family winery. At that time, in addition to vines, the company cultivated fruit varieties such as cherries, plums, apricots as well as olives. Cattle were also bred.
The following generations specialized in wine production. In 1965, Raffaello Cottini bought the Caprino Veronese vineyard, the seat of today's winery. Today Diego Cottini, together with his family, continues the tradition. Meanwhile, the estate has increased to almost 140 hectares of vineyards.

But the family business also attaches great importance to sustainability. The winery is located on a hill crest. Thus, the entire production cycle runs from top to bottom. But it was above all an idea of Diego Cottini that made the winery famous at the end of the 90s: The high mountain vineyards lacked any rot or fungus. And by inspiring the Appassimento method to produce Amaraone, he started to harvest the grapes only after the first frost and to subject them to a further drying on the straw mat. The independent wine "Calinverno" was born. 

The vineyards

Monte Zovo owns vineyards spread over three regions of the Veneto. North of Bardolinio is Caprino Veronese Estate, which lies at the foot of Monte Baldo. Here grow

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Pinot Noir
• Corvina
• Rondinella and
• Molinara

The last three of these grape varieties are mainly used for Bardolino. The moraine soils of these vineyards are rather stony at altitudes of up to 900 meters.

Sirmione Estate, the second estate, is located south of Lake Garda and is used for the cultivation of Turbiana, the grape variety from which the very popular Lugana is made. Finally, there is Tregnagno. This small estate is located in the eastern Valpolicella, not far from the village of the same name. From the vines that come from here, Valpolicella, Ripasso and Amarone are produced. 

The Valpolicella wine region

The region is picturesquely nestled between Lake Garda and Verona. Especially the red wines have made this hilly-mountainous region so famous. Due to the winds of Lake Garda, the grapes can dry optimally here. The northern part belongs to the Lessinia National Park. The charm of Valpolicella is the variety - vineyards, olive groves, Venetian villas lie enchanted between green plateaus, deep gorges and fashionable seaside resorts.