The Groppello grape gets its name from the small, compact shape of its bunch, or ‘grappolo’ in Italian, which is similar to the shape of a ‘groppo’ or knot. This is the most typical kind of grape found on the western shores of Lake Garda and is unique to our Valtènesi region, except for a tiny area in Val di Non, Trento, as well as in very few parts of Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. The grape is native to this region and the most widespread variety is Groppello Gentile, which is easy to recognise thanks to the distinctive shape of the bunch – a long cylinder which tails off into a point and has what look like wings at the top. The skin of the grape is very thin and blue-violet in colour.

All in all, we consider our grape variety to be par excellence, something which has shone through for generations, not only in our varietal wines, but also in our blends. We love it like it’s one of the family – it knows you before you are even able to walk and is a firm companion throughout life’s highs and lows.