Wines from Latium Morini

History

Latium Morini, written ILatium Morini on its labels, is a Valpolicella estate owned by the Morini family. Seven brothers and cousins run it today. For years the family delivered its grapes to the local cooperative, and in 2004 they decided to keep their best fruit and make their own wine.

The name points back to the Latii, Roman settlers who are said to have developed the Illasi valley as a wine area.

The land and the vineyards

The family farms about 45 hectares itself, spread across three valleys: Val di Mezzane, Val d'Illasi and Valpantena. The plots cover Valpolicella and Soave country, so the same cellar can make reds and whites.

The winery says sustainability has been a concern from the start, with vineyard work and harvest done by hand.

The wines

The core of the range is Amarone della Valpolicella and Valpolicella Superiore, made from grapes dried after harvest in the traditional appassimento method. Names on the estate's shop include the Amarone Leòn, the Valpolicella Superiore Prognài and the Amarone Riserva Due Mori.

On the white side there are Soave Le Calle, made from Garganega, and a Veneto Bianco called Amitor. The shop also lists organic wines, large formats, grappa and olive oil.

The cellar was built with a maturation room about six meters underground, holding hundreds of oak barrels.

Today

Latium Morini welcomes visitors for tastings, and the family continues to run the estate together. The wines have won praise from critics and competitions in recent years, including a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge for an Amarone.

Founded

2004 (first own wines)

Vineyards

45 hectares

Owners

Morini family

Main grapes

Corvina, Rondinella, Garganega