Even though the farm has been owned by the Tantini family for more than 100 years, it wasn’t until the beginning of this century that Giovanna Tantini began bottling wine from the 11.5 hectares planted to vine on the family property.
Located in one of the best growing zones just south of Lake Garda, the Tantini vineyards are overseen by one of the most renowned vineyard managers working in Italy today, Federico Curtaz (Angelo Gaja’s longtime vineyard manager) and his partner Roberto Abate.
The area south of Lake Garda, Italy’s biggest body of water, is known for its morainic subsoils, delivered by the same melting glacier that created the lake. These pebbly soils, with their excellent natural drainage, are ideal for crafting wines that with rich mineral character.
The maritime influence of the nearby lake helps to create diurnal temperature shifts, keeping the vines warmer in winter and cooler in summer as the grapes fully ripen. Giovanna’s Bardolino is made from Corvina and Rodinella grapes, the same varieties used in nearby Valpolicella.
A benchmark for the appellation, it’s renowned for its fresh character, rich flavor and minerality, and its remarkable longevity.
Did You Know?
In 2000, when Giovanna Tantini abandoned her law career and dove headfirst into the world of wine, she was one of just a handful of women winemakers in Bardolino. Today, she is considered one of the appellation’s pioneers thanks to her devotion to making high-quality, terroir-driven wines.