The Family
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
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
Leading the company since the 80’s, he still plays a major role in the vineyard His business approach allowed a significant development of the wine nursery, which grew considerably and not just in the local territory.
The first bottling of his own wines marked a great entrepreneurial transition, from being a producer of Lugana to marketing his product on the closest territories. Until the 90’s when the wine market took wider dimensions.
Tireless worker, whose calm and kindness are still the firm foundations of the company.
After an educational training and a Master Degree in Agricultural Sciences, Fabio chose to embrace the company’s journey dedicating himself to the winemaking process first, and then to its internationalization by representing and promoting Le Morette brand abroad, armed only with his own charisma and technical knowledge.
Dedication, corporate vision and leadership skills are his fundamental characteristics to bring new energy to the team every day.
Paolo is the “wise guardian of the vineyard”.
He takes care of the property’s land, of the cellar and of the nursery activity, always supported by Valerio’s experience.
His balanced and peaceful personality, combined with a deep knowledge of Lugana’s territory, are key both in the vineyard – to create that magic bond with Nature – and in the cellar, in order to give wines the highest territorial identity. He is also involved in the research and development for the nursery’s vines, particularly in clonal selection and in the research on varieties with higher tolerance to diseases that do not require phytosanitary treatments.
Long and complex projects that will hopefully allow the transfer of specific qualities to the native vines of the territory: Turbiana of course, but also Corvina.
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
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.
