Ottella

Located at the southern end of Lake Garda, the hot summer and cold winter is moderated by the lake's influences. The soil is mostly clay with Calcaire, but the Montresor family also owns a tiny parcel called "Le Creete", with a white chalky soil that gives wine of an extraordinary character. For the white wines the vines are the indigenous Turbiana. Although locals referred to Turbiana as Trebbiano di Lugana for years, thinking it was a clone slightly different from the Trebbiano grown for Soave, recent DNA research has shown Turbiana is a variety unique to Garda. They are not pergola trellised like Soave from the plain, but are cordon trained on campacted clay giving much less yield. Old Merlot vines, Corvina, Cabernet and a variety Croatina are also a part of family holdings. The Merlot likes its roots moist just like in the Pomerol of Bordeaux and is planted in a lowland slope that surrounds a pond. The family only makes wines from grapes they grow. Everything is hand harvested in small boxes to keep the fruit in good condition.

Available Wines