The testimonials of viticulture in the Veronese Morain Hills trace back to ancient times, prior to the arrival of the Romans, who carried on the tradition of the Etruscans, Adriatic Venetians and Celts. Gaius Valerius Catullus, who owned a marvellous Villa on the shores of nearby Lake Garda, fell in love with the wine up to the point of breaking with a common ritual of the time, the mixing of wine with water, and in his Carminas the Latin poet wrote:
“ Minister vetuli puer… inger mi calices amariores, ut lex Postumiae iubet magistrae ebriosa acina ebriosioris. At vos quo lubet hinc abite, lymphae vini pernicies, et ad severos migrate. hic merus est Thyonianus.”
“ O servant boy fill my bitter cups, as the law of mistress Postumia orders, drunker than a drunken rape. And you, waters, ruin of wine, depart from these places. Here is pure Bacchus.”
This area is particularly qualified for the growth of the autoctonous Corvina, but also of the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. What are the aspects of geology, geography and climate to these hills? First, the soil, and there is one very apparent indicator, as olive trees thrive in this region and these plants are known to show a marked preference for calcareous soils, flourishing best on limestone slopes and crags.
They grow in any light soil, even on clay if well drained. The whole hill area is formed by sediments from big amphitheater moraines, originated by the action of transport and storage of the large prehistoric Glacier Garda, formed during the ice ages Günz, Mindel, Riss and Würm. The microclimate is also of utmost importance, as nearby lake Garda has an important stabilizing factor in creating a typical Mediterranean climate, wich makes the winters much milder.
The vineyards are embedded in a healthy environment, the Morain Hills and valleys begin to unfold their beauty in spring with wildflowers such as primrose, iris, violets and lilies, while in summer varieties of orchids are blooming in the wild.
Hares and small wild animals, waterfowl and birds of prey, while ponds and ditches filled with pike, carp and eels. Even in a country so rich in natural ressources this region holds an extraordinary place.
