Alessandro & Laura Cutolo have it going on-
Passionate, intuitive, respectful, and young- he is a modern purist committed to achieving his best. Farming older vine Turbiana (Trebbiano di Lugana) grapes on the southern shores of Lake Garda and turning them into precious wines is his gig. He has a small plot of land, especially suited for his Chiaretto, which is predominantly Groppello, followed by Marzemino and small amounts of Barbera and Sangiovese. What a fabulous rose this is! It is elegant and timeless, with soft strawberry notes, bright acidity, and a wealth of minerality. Oh, joy!
There are no manipulations at Azienda Agricola Marangona. Farming is done sustainably with careful attention to a very low environmental impact; this is his land, his family's land — there is no other way. His objective is to make wine naturally that fully expresses the grape, the sun, and the soil. He is more than good at it.
Proof? It's in the bottle— A deliciously elegant Lugana with hints of lemon blossom and fresh white fruit. It's a balanced wine with the right minerality and crisp, clean flavors—sophisticated but not pretentious.
The area and appellations are rather interesting. The Lugana DOC appellation is located around the shores of Lake Garda, a spectacular region of Italy, though it is best to visit outside the summer months. The soils at Marangona are calcareous clay, rich in minerals, although this composition varies from vineyard to vineyard. You can taste 20 Luganas, and none will taste the same; the soil and the winemaker are the most essential parts of the game. The altitude is not very high, at about 50-100, given that the Doc is in the flatlands around the lake; even so, the wines have crisp, fresh acidity.
-
Chiaretto is a whole other beast; the four grapes are Chiaretto, Marzemino, Barbera, and Sangiovese. The Garda Dop requires up to 50% of the wine from Groppello; yes, there can be more than 50%. This leaves considerable room for experimentation and self-expression among winemakers. Marangona's red grapes are in minimal supply. Approximately 1 hectare of 30-year-old vines was established decades ago, comprising 50% Groppello, 30% Marzemino, and equal plantings of Barbera and Sangiovese. They do not make much. When rosé is in fashion and better rosé, such as theirs, is prized, there is never enough to go around.
WHO: Alessandro Cutolo
WHERE: Pozzolengo (Lake Garda), Brescia • Lombardy - Italy
FOUNDED: The property dates back 4 generations, skipping Alessandro’s father and passing down to him about 15 years ago.
LAND: 22 hectares, 148 meters above sea level
VARIETALS: Turbiana (Trebbiano di Lugana), Groppello, Marzemino, Barbera + Sangiovese
APPELATION:Turbiana de Lugana doc, Chiaretto dop
VITICULTURE: Organic
ANNUAL PRODUCTION:
-
•••
Spring blossom, green apple, and hazelnut, alongside green melon and white peach, with tangy acidity.
The Turbiana grapes are processed whole to preserve their typical characteristics and maximum native aromas. Fermentation occurs in steel at low temperature on the lees for 3 or 4 months, producing wines with a light bouquet of white flowers and white-fleshed fruit, characterized by non-obtrusive and remarkable drinkability.
•••
-
•••
APPELLATION: Lombardy, Italy
DENOMINATION: Lugana DOC / Comune: Pozzolengo
VARIETAL: 100% Turbiana
VINEYARD: Vineyard surrounding the winery Estate in Pozzolengo, a Certified Organic vineyard planted between 1980 and 2000
SOIL: Calcareous clay/ silt
ALTITUDE: 65 meters above sea level
EXPOSURE: Southern
YIELD PER HECTARE:
TRAINING SYSTEM:
VINIFICATION/REFINEMENT: Controlled low temperature fermentation in stainless steel with selected yeasts. Fined with bentonite and gelatin, sterile pre-bottling filtration, and natural cold stabilization
AGING: 4 months in stainless steel, on the lees.
BOTTLES: 80,000 btls
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE: Stelvin
ALC BY VOL(%): 13.5
LONGEVITY: 2-3 years
BAR CODE:•••
-
•••Reviews: Kerin O’Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2021
Reviews: Kerin O’Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2020
Reviews: Kerin O’Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2018
Reviews: Kerin O'Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2017
•••Reviews: Kerin O'Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2016
Reviews: Kerin O'Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2015(ok, we get it she LOVES this wine… we agree!)
-
•••
Marangona is considered one of the denomination’s top vignaioli, and this is one of everyone’s favorites.
This Lugana is special. With much time spent in handpicked, artisan-crafted cement, you get all the pleasantries of the entry Lugana (above) with more depth and mouthfeel. Aromas of bread crust, hazelnut, and mature yellow stone fruit lead the nose. The elegant palate mirrors the nose, offering ripe notes of yellow apple, mature pear, and bitter almond. Tangy acidity brightens the rich flavors. As always, native controlled yeast and organic farming.
•••
-
•••
APPELLATION: Lombardy, Italy
DENOMINATION: Lugana DOP / Comune: Pozzolengo
VARIETAL: Turbiana
VINEYARD: Vineyard surrounding the winery Estate in Pozzolengo, Certified Organic vineyard planted between 1969 and 1978.
SOIL: Calcareous clay/ silt
ALTITUDE: 65 masl
EXPOSURE:
YIELD PER HECTARE:
TRAINING SYSTEM:
VINIFICATION/REFINEMENT: approx. 8-day maceration, controlled low-temperature fermentation in cement with selected yeasts. Fined with bentonite and gelatin, sterile pre-bottling filtration, and natural cold stabilization
AGING: 10 months in cement on the lees, 8 months in bottle
BOTTLES:3,000 btls
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE: Cork
ALC BY VOL(%):
LONGEVITY: 5+ years
BAR CODE:•••
-
-
•••
Tre Campane, 'Three Bells,'
is named after the three historic communes of Lugana, where the grapes for this cuvee are grown-
Pozzolengo, Sirmione and Peschiera.Alessandro harvests the grapes in two parts, the first half in mid-September, much earlier than usual, and the remainder in mid-October at full ripening; this allows him to make a wine with sharp, fresh acidity and also the added body and complexity that would be lost if the harvest were only at one time. At the end of fermentation. It is aged on the lees, then bottled early the following year. No oak, no malo.
The process is a heightened version of the entry Lugana, resulting in an intense wine; this one goes to 11. Typical pale hay color in the glass, with aromas and flavors that are very much in line: almonds, small-leaf herbs, citrus, and a hint of apricot. Long in the mouth with a solid medium body and mouthwatering, fresh acidity. A wine that can take you from cheers to a dinner of fish, pasta, or light meats without missing a beat.
•••
-
•••
APPELLATION: Lombardy, Italy
DENOMINATION: Lugana DOC
VARIETAL: Turbiana
VINEYARD: Vineyard surrounding the winery Estate in Pozzolengo, Certified Organic vineyard planted between 1969 and 1978.
SOIL: Calcareous clay-silt
ALTITUDE: 65 meters above sea level
EXPOSURE:
YIELD PER HECTARE:
TRAINING SYSTEM:
VINIFICATION/REFINEMENT: Controlled low temperature fermentation in stainless steel with selected yeasts. Aging- 10 months in cement on the lees, 8 months in bottle. Finishing- Fined with bentonite and gelatin, sterile pre-bottling filtration, natural cold stabilization
BOTTLES: 15,000 bottles
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE: Stelvin
ALC BY VOL(%): 13.5
LONGEVITY: 5+ years
BAR CODE:•••
-
-
•••
Wild red berries, hay, chamomile, and bread dough take center stage in this limited production, delicious Rosato.
Made from a blend of Groppello, Marzemino, Sangiovese, and Barbera, this wine was only briefly on the skins to preserve the freshness and balance of this rosé. Classic aromas of rose petals, strawberries, and raspberries lead the flavor profile, with a vital mineral core that lends structure, acidity, and length to this bottling, resulting in a balanced, refreshing, and perfectly delicate wine. This wine is made from direct-pressed, free-run juice, produced exclusively using stainless steel.
•••
-
•••
APPELLATION: Lombardy
DENOMINATION: Riviera Del Garda Classico DOP
VARIETAL: Groppello (50%), Marzemino (30%), Barbera (10%), Sangiovese (10%)
VINEYARD: 1 certified organic hectare of his grandfather’s in the Estates vineyard in Pozzolengo, planted in 1990.
SOIL: Calcareous clay/ silt
ALTITUDE: 65 meters above sea level
EXPOSURE: southern
YIELD PER HECTARE:
TRAINING SYSTEM:
VINIFICATION/REFINEMENT: Direct press, controlled low temperature fermentation in cement with selected yeasts. AGING: 4 months in stainless steel, on the lees. Finishing - fined with bentonite and gelatin, followed by sterile pre-bottling filtration and natural cold stabilization.
BOTTLES: 5,000 bottles
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE: Stelvin
ALC BY VOL(%): 13
LONGEVITY: 2-3 years
BAR CODE:•••
-
MARANGONA
25010 Pozzolengo BS, Italy +39 030 919379
marangona.com