2025 Cantina di Gambellara, Monopolio Pinot Grigio - Liberty

Cantina di Gambellara is a cooperative winery founded in 1947. Today it has nearly 300 members who farm 600 hectares on the border between the provinces of Vicenza and Verona, only a few miles east of Soave. In 2015, this Cantina merged with the Cantina Colli Vicentini (from whom we buy the Ca’ di Alte wines). Matt Thomson of Blank Canvas has been consulting on the winemaking since vintage 2017, working closely with the Cantina di Gambellara Oenologists Stefano Lovato and Damiano Noro.

Lovato and Noro select the best grapes from the volcanic hills that comprise Gambellara natural amphitheatre, to make his Gambellara Classico. Garganega grapes are briefly macerated before fermenting at low temperatures. The resulting wine is dry and scented, displaying a pronounced minerality and a long finish. The Merlot is riper and better structured than many wines made from this variety in the Veneto. The Pinot Grigio has delicate aromas of citrus fruit and floral notes. The Pinot Nero has an intense and elegant nose with notes of violets, red berries and cherries.

The Durello Spumante is a Charmat method sparkling made from Durella grapes grown in the mountainous Lessini area. This variety has been grown in this area since the Middle Ages. Thick-skinned with good acidity, it has a distinct character that sets it apart from other sparkling wines from north-eastern Italy. The Prosecco Spumante was made using the Charmat method and shows delicate fruity notes of white pear and peach with a well-balanced acidity.

The Pinot Grigio grapes are grown on selected vineyards on hills that are 50-150 metres above sea level and south-facing. The vines are trained using the Guyot system and the soils are calcareous with good drainage. Vine management is carried out with the protection of biodiversity and of the environment.

The 2025 growing season offered favourable conditions, producing grapes of excellent quality. Mild spring weather and timely rainfall supported even growth and fruit set, while summer warmth with cool nights preserved acidity and enhanced aromatics. Harvested at optimal ripeness, the grapes arrived at the winery in pristine condition. The resulting wines are expressive, fresh and aromatic, reflecting the character of the region.

The grapes were harvested early in the morning when temperatures were cooler, to retain the fresh fruit characters. Once at the winery, they were carefully sorted and then gently pressed. Fermentation took place in stainless-steel tanks at controlled cool temperatures. Finally, the wine was gently filtered, clarified and bottled.

This wine is pale lemon in colour, with delicate aromas of blossom, stone fruit and green apple. On the palate it is full, intense and brimming with notes of yellow peach and white flowers. The finish is long and refreshing.