Winemaker Notes
Blend: 52% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec
Founded by the noble Venetian Polvaro family in 1681, the Tenuta Polvaro estate has always had its focus on cultivating and harvesting the finest grapes in the Lison Pramaggiore area, Veneto region, Italy. One of the key factors contributing to high-quality grape production is the winery’s location. The estate is situated in close proximity to the Pre-Alpine region, the Dolomites, and the Adriatic sea, which provide the clay soil rich in nutrients needed to produce its artisanal wines.
The the Candoni De Zan family has brought this prestigious historical estate back to its original splendor preserving the seventeenth-century architectural landscape. Moreover, the vineyard has gone through a restoration process of its own. The soil has been delicately worked to preserve its natural fertilization properties, and the most modern oenological technologies were introduced to enhance the uniqueness of the wines. Sustainability remains at the heart of the company’s values, and it has been credited with an SQNPI certificate for its production systems and minimal environmental impact.
Tenuta Polvaro’s vines are a living testament to the rich history of Lison Pramaggiore and Veneto’s fine wine heritage. Some of the greatest Italian white, red, and sparkling wines are born in this verdant landscape.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Producing every style of wine and with great success, the Veneto is one of the most multi-faceted wine regions of Italy.
Veneto's appellation called Valpolicella (meaning “valley of cellars” in Italian) is a series of north to south valleys and is the source of the region’s best red wine with the same name. Valpolicella—the wine—is juicy, spicy, tart and packed full of red cherry flavors. Corvina makes up the backbone of the blend with Rondinella, Molinara, Croatina and others playing supporting roles. Amarone, a dry red, and Recioto, a sweet wine, follow the same blending patterns but are made from grapes left to dry for a few months before pressing. The drying process results in intense, full-bodied, heady and often, quite cerebral wines.
Soave, based on the indigenous Garganega grape, is the famous white here—made ultra popular in the 1970s at a time when quantity was more important than quality. Today one can find great values on whites from Soave, making it a perfect choice as an everyday sipper! But the more recent local, increased focus on low yields and high quality winemaking in the original Soave zone, now called Soave Classico, gives the real gems of the area. A fine Soave Classico will exhibit a round palate full of flavors such as ripe pear, yellow peach, melon or orange zest and have smoky and floral aromas and a sapid, fresh, mineral-driven finish.
Much of Italy’s Pinot grigio hails from the Veneto, where the crisp and refreshing style is easy to maintain; the ultra-popular sparkling wine, Prosecco, comes from here as well.