Azienda Agricola Pratello
In Padenghe sul Garda, a small medieval village at the south-western end of Lake Garda, lies the traditional but also progressive Azienda Agricola Pratello.
Vincenzo Bertola directs this agricultural estate, which comprises a total of 100 hectares. 45 hectares of which are planted with vines. In addition, olives, cereals, vegetables and fruit are also grown. Forests and pasture land, on which an Alpaca herd frolics, form part of this estate. The soil, mainly moraine soil with some clay, is loose, stony and dates back to the glacial period. The climate is generally mild and is under the influence of the nearby lake.
White wines from Azienda Agricola Pratello
Rosé wines from Azienda Agricola Pratello
Red wines from Azienda Agricola Pratello
Gift Collections from Azienda Agricola Pratello
from Azienda Agricola Pratello
Agriculture has been developed in Pratello since 1860. However, Vincenzo Bertola not only relies on traditions, but also on an unconventional and novel approach. With each new planting, he consults agronomists to make the right choice of grape varieties, thus taking into account individual circumstances in terms of climate and soil conditions. He refers to his father, Dante Bertola, who founded the company, as the true agronomic soul that draws on years of experience and sense of tradition.
As a result, new hybrids, as well as ancient unknown varieties thrive on nine different vineyards in Padenghe and the surrounding communities, in addition to the well known international varieties Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Sangiovese. Gropello, Marzemino and Erbamat are, for example, very old varieties, dating back to the 16th century. The latter is virtually extinct. Rebo and Manzoni are new hybrids from the Teaching and Research Centre of San Michele all'Adige. Turbina di Lugana is again Trebbiano, ubiquitous in North Italy.
The region of Lake Garda is very popular with holidaymakers, and is a surfers paradise. The Azienda offers guests in search of agro-tourism the possibility to spend relaxing and peaceful days with good food and excellent wine at its imposing Manor House.
Producer
Bodegas Ribas
We could talk about our winery of the year, Bodega Ribas on Mallorca, all day long. But it's best to see and read for yourself! We sent wine journalist Britta Wiegelmann and cameraman Felix Groteloh to experience the winery and the family at first hand. Araceli and Javier Servera Ribas, the brother and sister team behind the wines, tell us how the oldest existing winery on the island survived phylloxera, why they love their local grape, the Mantonegro, so much and what the sea has to do with it all.
Roland und Karin Lenz
In 1994, while Roland Lenz was still studying oenology, he and his wife Karin were able to acquire eight hectares of vines on the Iselisberg. It was a unique opportunity that they seized, even though they were toying with the idea of setting up their own business abroad, far from Switzerland. They actually did so later, but that's another story…
Alvaro Palacios, S.L.
Álvaro Palacios was only 25 years old when he moved to the lonely Priorat in 1989. He left his parents’ vineyard in Rioja (Palacios Remondo) behind, which had grown too small for him. He joined forces with a group of friends to reawaken the sleeping beauty of the Priorat, which the prior inhabitants had mostly abandoned in search of a better and easier life in the cities.