Wine Tours Valtenesi

Valtenesi (now part of Riviera del Garda Classico, with a Valtenesi sub‑designation) is a wine region on the southwestern shores of Lake Garda in the province of Brescia, Lombardy. It includes morainic hills and lake‑facing slopes across municipalities such as Padenghe, Moniga del Garda, Manerba, Polpenazze, Puegnago, Soiano, and San Felice. The region’s identity is built around its classic rosé (“Chiaretto”) and red styles rooted in the local Groppello grape, combined with minor blends of Marzemino, Barbera, Sangiovese, and others. The lake’s influence tempers extremes, creating a climate suited to elegant, fresh wines.

Wine tourism in Valtenesi offers a blend of lake scenery, vineyard walks, and intimate cellar visits. Many estates host tastings including local olive oils and small bites.

The gastronomy of Valtenesi mirrors its lake‑hill terrain. Freshwater fish (such as trout, perch, and sardines) and lake whitefish grilled or fried are natural matches for the region’s rosés. In the hilly zones, you’ll find grilled meats, pork, stews, and local cheeses; simple pasta, polenta, and risottos also figure. The Chiaretto rosé is well suited as an aperitif or alongside light fare (like vegetable dishes, soft cheeses, shellfish). The reds, meanwhile, can stand up to richer meats and local specialties.

The hallmark grape of Valtenesi is Groppello (sometimes Groppello Gentile, Groppello Mocasina, or Groppello Santo Stefano), which must constitute at least 50 % of the wine (rosé and red) under the DOC rules.The remainder may include Marzemino, Barbera, Sangiovese, and even Rebo in some blends.Valtenesi Chiaretto is made via brief skin contact (“vinification by a single night”) to extract delicate color—this historic technique dates back to the late 19th century.Terrains are morainic and glacial, with well‑drained soils, stones, and exposure to lake breezes, creating balanced ripening.

The ideal season to visit is late spring through early autumn. In spring (May–June) the vineyards awaken and the hills are verdant. Summer sees warmer but moderated conditions thanks to the lake’s cooling influence, and in June the region celebrates rosé wines during “Italia in Rosa” in Moniga del Garda. By September, the harvest is in full swing, and cellar visits may highlight picking, fermentation, or press phases. Winters are mild and relatively quiet—some wineries operate by appointment only. The lake helps buffer extreme cold and frost.

Begin your journey from lakeside towns like Padenghe or Moniga del Garda, then wind inland through the morainic hills. Drive to estates in Polpenazze, Puegnago, and Soiano. Schedule morning or late afternoon tastings to enjoy cooler vineyard walks. Ask for vertical or experimental rosé and red expressions, and request tasting flights that compare Groppello‑dominant bottlings. Combine wine visits with lake boat rides, castle vistas (Rocca di Manerba), historical villages, cycling routes, and olive groves. Stay in farmhouses or small B&Bs in hill villages to capture views of vineyards meeting water. Try to time visits with local wine festivals (rosé fairs in Moniga, wine fairs in Polpenazze) for fuller immersion.

The average price of a wine tasting with winery visit in Valtenesi is around €45. Depending on the experience, prices range from €20 to €70. Booking in advance ensures availability and the best prices.

Here are the top wineries to visit in Valtenesi:

• cantina Pietta
• Costaripa di Vezzola Mattia
• Azienda Agricola "La Guarda"
• Pasini San Giovanni
• Famiglia Olivini
• Cascina Belmonte

Here are the best wine tastings to book in Valtenesi:

• Immersed in the vineyard at Pietta Winery
• Tasting of 3 Wines at Cascina Belmonte on Lake Garda
• Discovering Costaripa: A Journey into Mattia Vezzola’s Wines
• Olivini Family Tour and Tasting on Lake Garda
• Lugana DOC Tour and Tasting at the Famiglia Olivini on Lake Garda
• Tasting of 7 Wines at Cascina Belmonte on Lake Garda
• Tasting Experience of 5 Wines at Cascina Belmonte on Lake Garda
• The Three Colours of Valtènesi and Lugana: Organic Wine Tasting in the Barrel Cellar at Pasini San Giovanni