The Family

gino zenato fondatore le morette

Founded by Gino Zenato in the early 60’s, the company was originally born as a vine nursery for the production of vines intended for viticulture. From the very beginning, Gino also started producing his own wine as a first-hand test of his nursery activity.

The Family

Three generations of history and (a bright) future

cantina le morette

Founded by Gino Zenato in the early 60’s, the company was originally born as a vine nursery for the production of vines intended for viticulture. From the very beginning, Gino also started producing his own wine as a first-hand test of his nursery activity.

In 1981 Gino’s son, Valerio, stepped into the company and enriched the production with wines of strong character. Thanks to his efforts, he was recognised for his achievements and set the company toward a quality production. His wines stood out for their marked minerality, structure and by a strong identity showing all the characteristics of its terroir, revisited according to an elegant and refined style. Caratteristiche tipiche del territorio, interpretate secondo uno stile elegante e raffinato.

Fabio and Paolo, the third generation of winegrowers, continue the family tradition with the same passion and enthusiasm as their grandfather, managing the business side by side with Valerio and looking forward to a future of new challenges and new markets. Today, the company includes several plots in the areas of Peschiera, Desenzano and Pozzolengo and it’s well rooted in solid family traditions.

Le Morette is considered one of the historic wineries of the Lugana DOC appellation, being in the territory for over sixty years now. The new winery, first opened 10 years ago, is now about to be expanded in order to provide adequate spaces for the new bottling facility, reflecting the winery’s focus on innovation and production efficiency while ensuring the most authentic expression of its territory.

The family today

Our History

1960
THE NURSERY

Our journey starts back to 1960, in San Benedetto di Lugana, where Gino Zenato starts a nursery for the production of vines. Gino was a real pioneer in Italy, one of the first to take care of planting and following closely the evolution of young grape buds that, once planted, grow their roots into the ground

1967
LUGANA DOC

During the first year of Lugana DOC certification, Gino Zenato increases his efforts in research and development by growing the vines from his own nursery.

1981
QUALITY WINE PRODUCTION

His passion is then passed on to his son Valerio who, after an experience in the vineyard, continues the work focusing on the production of high quality wines with a distinctive and personality and recognizability.

1985
NEW VINEYARDS IN SAN BENEDETTO DI LUGANA

New lands are planted with vines, expanding from 3,5 to 6,5 ht in the surroundings of Frassino Lake, in San Benedetto di Lugana.

1990

FURTHER VINEYARD EXPANSIONS Further expansion of the vineyard planted areas to 10.5 ht

1995

The number of hectares planted with vines is expanded from 10.5 to 13.5.

2000
THE THIRD GENERATION OF WINEMAKERS
As of their studies, Fabio and Paolo gradually joined Valerio in the management of the winery. Paolo is mainly involved in the vineyards and in the winemaking processes; Fabio personally promotes the wines by traveling in Italy and abroad, but during harvest he is constantly present in the winery in order to give his contribution defining the many important choices to make at this crucial time of the year.
ESTABLISHMENT ON THE NATIONAL MARKET

Thanks to the third generation, the company establishes its sales network in Italy and takes its first steps into international markets, mainly in Germany.

2001

Expansion of vineyard areas from 13.5 to 19 ht

2005
COMMITMENT TO RESEARCH

Thanks to their tireless research work on Turbiana, the indigenous grape variety of Luagana, Fabio and Paolo start a collaboration with the Agricultural Sciences Faculty of the University of Milan, in tight synergy with the Lugana Consortium.

2006

Expansion of vineyard areas from 19 to 24.

2008
THE VINEYARDS IN LAZISE

L’azienda si espande nel comune di Lazise, acquistando vigneti per la produzione del Bardolino Classico. The estate expands to 29 hectares of vineyards, including now some new areas in the municipality of Lazise, within in the Bardolino Classico appellation.

THE “MORETTA” BECOMES THE SYMBOL OF OUR COMPANY

The famous diving duck so typical of Frassino Lake, is chosen as the company symbol to emphasize our bond with the territory.

2009
THE VINEYARDS IN DESENZANO

The expansion of the planted area continues with the addition of another 12 hectares in the municipalities of Desenzano and Pozzolengo in the Lombardy region, reaching now more than 40 hectares.

2010
INTERNATIONALIZATION PROCESS

With the expansion on new European markets, Fabio Zenato starts the actual internationalization process of the company, laying the groundwork for overseas markets.

2011
LUGANA DOC RISERVA

The “Riserva” style of Lugana wine is officialy listed as a category in the Disciplinare of the Lugana DOC appellation, and Le Morette releases its first vintage of this style. An initiative in which the winery has believed since the very beginning, contributing to the research phase of the most interesting vinification techniques and implementing micro winemaking, which then gave shape to the Lugana Riserva project.

Frassino Lake is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its pile-dwelling site.

2013
THE NEW WINERY

In October 2013 the new Le Morette winery officially opens its doors: a perfect combination of modernity and tradition, designed according to the principles of sustainability and environmental respect.

2014

An additional 9 hectares are added to the estate’s vineyard area.

2018-2019
CONSOLIDATION IN FOREIGN MARKETS

Fabio Zenato and the team carry on the internationalization process with enthusiasm, reaching the milestone of 25 countries including the United States and Asia. This decade’s goal is to make Lugana and Le Morette known worldwide.

2022
CLONAL SELECTIONS

The winery’s joint project with the Consortium comes to an end: it led to the selection of three new clones of the Turbiana grape variety that t represent the varietal’s typical characteristics at best. To reach this result, we made use of all the viticultural expertise acquired over more than 50 years of observation and studies of the behavior of the vine in its different stages of growth, development and maturation.

TODAY

Fabio and Paolo Zenato’s daily dedication to their work shows in the research and production of fine, authentic wines, true expressions of the identity of the grapes and the territory, and therefore ensuring an added value to the company’s business.