From 12 hectares to the Lugana benchmark: the Contatos on Lake Garda
The story of Cà Maiol begins in 1967, when Milanese entrepreneur Walter Contato founded an agricultural estate on the southern shore of Lake Garda — on just 12 hectares of vineyards, where the Turbiana grape has always delivered its most convincing results. The estate's name goes back to an even older history: as early as 1710, the Desenzano notary Sebastiano Maiolo established his agricultural business on this property — the oldest of the four estate houses that exist today has been surrounded by vines ever since. It was also Walter Contato who, together with local winemakers, co-founded the protection consortium for Lugana D.O.C., thereby laying the foundation for the later fame of the entire appellation. In 1996, his children Fabio and Patrizia Contato took over the management of the winery and continued to drive its expansion. Since 2017, Cà Maiol has been part of the Herita Marzotto Wine Estates, a group specializing in quality wineries that focuses on the independent character of each of its operations.
Gravity instead of pumps: craftsmanship and technology in harmony
Today, Cà Maiol manages 118 hectares of vineyards around Lake Garda — the Lugana area with its calcareous clay soils in the south, and the Valtènesi red wine zone in the southwest. The operation is spread across four estates: the main estate Cà Maiol as well as the affiliated sites Molino, Rocchetta, and Storta. The mild lake climate, moderated by the water mass of Lake Garda, protects the vines from extreme temperatures and ensures even ripening. In the vineyard, the principle of ecosystem-friendly cultivation applies, which is aimed at preserving soil biology and the surrounding biodiversity — Cà Maiol is certified as a Biodiversity Friend.
In the cellar, which was newly built in 2000, gravity is the focus: the entire vinification process takes place by gravity, i.e., without mechanical pumps, which is crucial for a pressure-sensitive variety like Turbiana to avoid loss of aroma. Each vineyard can be vinified separately, which allows for precise site selection. For the prestige Lugana, Fabio Contato worked closely with the French oenologist Michel Rolland, whose signature is still visible in the style of this wine today.
Turbiana and Groppello: two faces of an extraordinary terroir
The range reflects the geographical division of the estate. At the center is Turbiana, the lead grape variety of Lugana DOC — from the classic vintage bottling to the Molin Lugana Superiore, and on to the Prestige and the Fabio Contato Riserva. The latter comes from the oldest, low-yield plots, is partially aged in French barriques and tonneaux, and spends at least another six months in the bottle — a Lugana with distinct aging potential that develops notes of petrol and ripe fruit with age without losing its freshness. On the red side, Cà Maiol focuses on the Valtènesi DOC: the Roseri Chiaretto made from Groppello, Barbera, Sangiovese, and Marzemino represents the classic, deep-pink rosé of the western shore, while the Groviglio and the Fabio Contato Valtenesi Rosso represent more complex red cuvées from the same indigenous varieties. Anyone wishing to get to know the range of the estate will find everything in the assortment from fresh entry-level Lugana to cellar-worthy Selezione wines — a clear signature that shows what calcareous proximity to the lake and consistent craftsmanship can bring out of two such different appellations.
