THE GARDA DOC – Direct from Eve in Lake Garda Italy!

Over the summer, when International travel opened up a bit more, I was invited to Lake Garda, Italy to learn – and taste – about the Garda DOC (a certified grape growing region) that happens to be adjacent to the largest lake in Italy. I joined a few other American journalists, as well as many other writers from all over the world. We were treated to master classes, winery tours, wine dinners, lake tours and tastings. Let me share a little with you, because if visiting Lake Garda for wine wasn’t on your list, it should be.

About the Garda DOC
We started with the master class and tasting in a lakeside classroom: the Dogana Veneta di Lazise. Our speakers included Paolo Fiorini, President GARDA DOC Consortium and Carlo Alberto Panont, Director GARDA DOC Consortium. We also had Luigi Mariani, from the Università degli Studi di Milano and two journalists, Emanuele Tosi and Davide Bonassi.
We learned about everything that goes into the Garda DOC: the history of the area (created by glaciers), climate, soil and its ten historical appellations that produce 20 million bottles a year. Types of wines allowed by the production regulations include Pinot Blanco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon (Blanc), Cortese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Corvina, Pinot Nero and Marzemino for still wines. Wines used for sparkling can also include Garganega and Trebbiano di Lugana.
Their goal in educating us was so that we could be missionaries, so to speak, of the area. They easily reached their goal not only with their attention to detail but also with the “hands-on” portion of the event, the tasting!

Wine Tasting
We enjoyed a lot of bubbles after the classes! The area is known for their sparkling wines – both white and Rosé. Pinot Grigio is also king in the Garda DOC. But I did get my hands on a few reds. I really enjoyed their Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc blends. The red blends were my favorites of the reds, as well as a few Merlot that were made in an Amarone style – with some of the grapes being dried. The whites were fresh and lively, while the reds were balanced with both spicy and sweet notes.
If you have the opportunity look for these wineries: AVEROLDI FRANCESCO, BAROLDI DIEGO, CANTINA BOTTENAGO, CANTINA CATTANI, CANTINA DI SOAVE, CANTINA GOZZI, CANTINA RICCHI, CANTINE DI VERONA, CANTINE RIONDO, MAIA WINE – CIELO E TERRA, PERLA DEL GARDA, PRATELLO, PRENDINA, SANTA SOFIA, SEITERRE, TENUTE DEL GARDA, VALDO SPUMANTI, VIGNETI VILLABELLA and VITEVIS.
After the class and first tasting we did a couple of Lake Garda tours – they took us out on a sailboat and later, a speedboat! But, back to the wine, we toured three very special wineries in the Garda DOC. All of which are open to the public for tours and tastings.

Winery Visits
Cantina Ricchi, is located in the Morenic Hills of Monzambano, Lombardy, five minutes from Lake Garda. The Stefanoni family started the winery in 1930, and kept the name of the old household, Ricchi. It was a beautiful winery and vineyards, with a rich history. We had a charming tasting in their cellar after the tour. They had my favorite red of the day: A Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon blend that read “Cabernet” on the label. “The Ricchi Winery presents a unique reality, the symbol of refined, sincere wines, carrying with them the values, the aromas, the scents of an ancient family passion.”

Pratello is the name of the village and the family-run winery that also cultivates olive trees and vegetable farming – all organic and certified. They began planting in 1920, and during the process discovered a Roman villa underground. The volcanic origin and Morenic hills are good for their line of “Opera” Rosé wines – which we enjoyed with other sparkling whites and Riesling with a multi-course luncheon that featured Lake Salmon Trout and Lake Sardines. The winery is also home to a 20-room hotel and restaurant. We ended our visit with a taste of some of their spirits and a Rosé Vermouth that I should’ve purchased when I had the chance. “The company is founded on the family and it is based on values such as passion for the land and dedication to work that have allowed us and still allow us to follow personally all the steps: from pruning to the harvest, strictly by hand, where one-year sacrifices are collected.”

Rocca Sveva di Cantina di Soave
The Soave area – the name of the town and of the wine – is the furthest east in the Garda DOC, and Rocca Sveva is one of the biggest cooperatives in Italy. You know the name Soave for their sparkling wines, but Rocca Sveva also makes premium still whites and reds too. We had a tour – including a short climb for an incredible view – and a final Gala Wine Dinner there. It was the perfect ending to an incredible day in Soave. “In the shadow of the majestic medieval Castello di Soave, right up against the castle’s ancient walls, lies Rocca Sveva, a hamlet built in the Middle Ages transformed into a prestigious winery and centre of wine culture: an extraordinary amalgam of history, tradition and quality.”

Visiting Lake Garda
After being immersed in the Garda DOC I stayed in Lake Garda for another week with my husband Eddie. We explored a different town on the lake every day, getting to each via e-bikes and ferry boats, and they all had something unique to offer: shopping and dining in Lazise, fabulous hotels with amazing breakfasts in Bardolino and Peschiera, castles, moats, and a long peninsula over public beaches in Sirmoine, mountain views from Mount Baldo via cable car in Malcesine, and of course sampling more wine.
In closing let me just say again that if you can get to Lake Garda, Italy, go there, and in the meantime look for Garda DOC wines.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

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