
Rosa dei Frati DOC

Rosa dei Frati DOC
A rosé wine that consistently brings the Garda Lake location to the glass: salmon-colored, lively, with clear fruit and an acidity that whets the appetite instead of being unpleasant.
Cà dei Frati cultivates vineyards around Sirmione and Desenzano – directly on the western shore of Lake Garda. The lake climate moderates temperature fluctuations, extends the ripening period, and preserves the aromatics of the grapes. The blend consists predominantly of Groppello , complemented by Marzemino, Sangiovese, and Barbera – all indigenous grape varieties of the Brescian hills. After brief skin contact, the must ferments in stainless steel tanks, matures on the lees until February, and then spends two months in the bottle.
In the glass, it shines a clear salmon pink. The nose reveals hawthorn, wild strawberry, and a hint of fresh herbs. On the palate, it is juicy and delicately fruity with a mineral undertone and well-integrated acidity that makes the finish crisp but not too long.
- Dishes: Grilled prawns, burrata with tomatoes, light pasta al pomodoro or Provençal fish soup
- Temperature: 10–12 °C
- Occasion: Summer evening on the terrace, uncomplicated aperitivo
Where Lake Garda flattens out to the south, in Lugana di Sirmione lies the winery that has given the town its name: Cà dei Frati – the “House of the Monks”.
The name says it all: The estate was first documented in 1782 , when it served as vineyard land for Carmelite monks . In 1939, the Dal Cero family put down roots here – laying the foundation for one of the most influential winemaking stories in Northern Italy.
It was Pietro Dal Cero who spearheaded the recognition of the Lugana DOC , which was awarded in 1967. His wine "I Frati" became the benchmark – and one of the most famous white wines in Northern Italy.
Today, his three children run the business in the third generation : Gian Franco looks after the vineyards, Igino manages the cellar, Anna Maria is responsible for sales – three perspectives, one common goal.
Its foundation is the Turbiana grape variety, grown on the calcareous moraine soils on the southern shore of Lake Garda. From this grape emerges the unmistakable Lugana style: mineral, clear, and long-lasting – driven by the conviction that tradition and state-of-the-art cellar technology are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary.
What does that mean for your glass? Wines with provenance, precision, and the quiet self-confidence of a family estate that knows exactly where it comes from.




































