About Conte Loredan Gasparini
Loredan Gasparini is a historic estate located in Venegazzù, in the Treviso hills of the Veneto region in northeastern Italy. The estate is best known for its Venegazzù della Casa, a Bordeaux-style red blend that has been produced for several decades and is considered one of the pioneering wines of its type in Italy. The property traces its origins to the noble Loredan family and has long been associated with the production of structured red wines from the local Montello e Colli Asolani DOC.
Prices are for take away and shipping. The wine bar serves from its own list.
The winery
About Conte Loredan Gasparini
History
Conte Loredan Gasparini works at Venegazzù, on the Montello hill about 40 kilometres north of Venice in the province of Treviso. The winery says wine has been made on the Montello since the 16th century, and it cites the historian Bonifacio, who praised the local wines in 1590. The Venetians also took timber from this wooded hill to build their boats.
The estate's best known red grew out of the Count's own table wine. He first made a Venegazzù Superiore for the house, then in the 1960s he began a special reserve of Rosso di Venegazzù, produced in small quantities and only in the best years. It became a favourite for special occasions in Venice. The first vintage of this reserve was 1964, made from the grapes of the oldest vineyard, planted in 1946 and known as the 100 Plants. In 1967 the artist Tono Zancanaro drew two works for the label.
The land and the vineyards
The Montello soils are red, clayey and rich in iron and minerals, carried down by Alpine runoff and by the pebbles and debris of the Piave River. Vines here reach about 370 metres of altitude, in a cool, temperate climate softened by the nearby Prealps, with regular rain. The estate also keeps a 23 hectare property where its sparkling wines mature.
The wines
The red range is built on Bordeaux grapes. Capo di Stato is the DOC Montello Venegazzù Superiore, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec from old clones, with a warm colour, soft fruit and spice, and silky tannins. Venegazzù della Casa is the house wine from which the story began, and Falconera is a DOC Montello Merlot. There is also a Malbec under IGT Colli Trevigiani.
For sparkling wine, the estate uses Glera selected from old clones in 1975 and ages the wines on site, including an Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG. The cellar also makes grappas and liqueurs.
Today
The company is registered as Azienda Agricola Conte Loredan Gasparini, owned by Giancarlo Palla. Its wines remain tied to the Montello, with Capo di Stato still made only from the best grapes of the old vineyard.
- Main grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Glera
- Owners
- Giancarlo Palla