The Wine Consortia of Lake Garda

The wine-growing area around Lake Garda is one of the most dynamic and articulated in Italy, with a variety of appellations, wine consortia and production identities that reflect the morphological and cultural richness of the area. In this context, the wine industry represents a strategical business for the entire country and one of the most important agricultural sectors in terms of added value, exports and employment.

On Lake Garda, wine consortia play a fundamental role in ensuring the quality of local production. They do not just protect appellations, but also coordinate wineries, promote the territory and safeguard the cultural identity linked to wine. In an area where viticulture is intertwined with tourism, consortia become strategic partners for public institutions, traders and customers.

In order to respond specifically to this new need for unified tourism promotion, the Lake Garda Wines project was created. This is a joint initiative that brings together the five wine consortia operating in the Garda area: Bardolino, Custoza, Garda, Lugana and Valtènesi.

The aim of the project is to build a shared identity for the Lake Garda wine region, capable of communicating with international markets and experiential tourism. The project was officially presented at Vinexpo - Wine Paris 2025, one of the leading international events dedicated to the world of wine, marking an important step towards the integrated promotion of Lake Garda wines on a European scale.

In the following list, I have listed the main details of the wine consortia of Lake Garda with useful information on the production areas, the typologies of wines protected and the contact details.

Consorzio Vini Bardolino

The Consorzio Vini Bardolino, founded in 1969, represents one of the historic wine appellations of Lake Garda. Based in Bardolino, it protects Bardolino DOC and Chiaretto di Bardolino wines, produced along the eastern shore of the lake, in an area that includes 16 municipalities in the province of Verona: Affi, Bardolino, Garda, Lazise, Costermano sul Garda and Cavaion Veronese for the classic zone, and Bussolengo, Caprino Veronese, Castelnuovo del Garda, Pastrengo, Peschiera del Garda, Rivoli Veronese, Sommacampagna, Sona, Torri del Benaco and Valeggio sul Mincio for the extended zone.

In this area, the mild climate provided by the lake and the morainic composition of the soil create ideal conditions for growing Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes, native varieties that find their natural habitat here. These varieties, cultivated for many generations, produce fresh and fragrant wines, ideal for accompanying typical dishes of Lake Garda cuisine.

The Consorzio Vini Bardolino protects these 9 types of wine:

• Bardolino DOC
• Bardolino Classico DOC
• Bardolino Novello DOC
• Bardolino Novello Classico DOC
• Bardolino Superiore DOCG
• Bardolino Classico Superiore DOCG
• Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC
• Chiaretto di Bardolino Classico DOC
• Chiaretto di Bardolino Spumante DOC

Consorzio Tutela Lugana DOC

The Consorzio Tutela Lugana DOC, founded in 1990, represents one of the typical appellations of the lower Lake Garda area. Based in Peschiera del Garda, it protects Lugana DOC wine, produced in a morainic area that extends between the provinces of Brescia and Verona, including the municipalities of Sirmione, Pozzolengo, Desenzano del Garda, Lonato del Garda (in Lombardy) and Peschiera del Garda (in Veneto).

The consortium is responsible for protecting, promoting, enhancing and supervising the appellation. The reference grape variety is called Turbiana, also known locally as Trebbiano di Lugana, which produces elegant, mineral-rich white wines.

The Consorzio Tutela Lugana DOC protects these 5 types of wine:

• Lugana DOC
• Lugana Superiore DOC
• Lugana Riserva DOC
• Lugana Vendemmia Tardiva DOC
• Lugana Spumante DOC

Consorzio Tutela Vino Custoza DOC

The Consorzio Tutela Vino Custoza DOC, founded in 1971, protects and promotes the Custoza DOC wine, produced in the morainic amphitheatre of the lower Lake Garda. The area covers nine municipalities in the province of Verona: Sommacampagna, Villafranca di Verona, Valeggio sul Mincio, Sona, Bussolengo, Lazise, Pastrengo, Peschiera del Garda and Castelnuovo del Garda. The calcareous and sandy soils, together with the influence of the lake, favour the production of fresh and aromatic white wines.

The consortium is responsible for protecting, promoting, enhancing and supervising the appellation. The Custoza DOC wine is mainly produced from Garganega, Trebbianello (a local biotype of Tocai Friulano), Trebbiano and Bianca Fernanda (a local clone of Cortese) grapes. Custoza wine is known for its versatility and pairs well with light appetisers, fish dishes, seasonal vegetables and delicate traditional Venetian first courses.

The Consorzio Tutela Vino Custoza DOC protects these 4 types of wine:

• Custoza DOC
• Custoza Superiore DOC
• Custoza Spumante DOC
• Custoza Passito DOC

Consorzio Garda DOC

The Consorzio Garda DOC, founded in 1996, protects and promotes the Garda DOC appellation, created to enhance the value of varietal wines produced in the Garda area. Based in Sommacampagna, the consortium operates in a large territory that includes several municipalities in the provinces of Verona, Brescia and Mantua, encompassing the main historic wine-growing areas of Lake Garda. The area covers approximately 31,000 hectares of morainic, hilly and alluvial soils, influenced by the temperate climate of the lake. Of these, 27,889 hectares are located in the province of Verona and only 3,211 hectares in the provinces of Mantua and Brescia.

The consortium is responsible for protecting, promoting, enhancing and supervising the appellation. The Garda DOC appellation includes still, semi-sparkling and sparkling wines, with a particular focus on the Garda Spumante line, created to promote the quality sparkling wines produced in this area. These wines, in their various types, pair very well with local cuisine, lake dishes, white and red meats, seasonal vegetables and cured meats.

The Consorzio Garda DOC protects these types of wine:

• White wines made from Garganega, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay grapes
• Red or rosé wines made from Corvina and Merlot grapes

Consorzio Valtènesi

The Consorzio Valtènesi, founded in 1998 as Consorzio Garda Classico and renamed in 2012, protects and promotes the wines of the Valtènesi DOC appellation, produced on the western shore of Lake Garda, in the province of Brescia. The territory includes the municipalities of San Felice del Benaco, Manerba del Garda, Moniga del Garda, Padenghe sul Garda, Polpenazze del Garda, Puegnago del Garda, Soiano del Lago and part of the neighbouring municipalities, in a hilly area of morainic origin, exposed to the mild climate of the lake and characterised by clayey and calcareous soils.

The consortium is responsible for protecting, promoting, enhancing and supervising the appellation. The characteristic grape variety is Groppello, which can be found only in this area, with the exception of a very small production area in Val di Non and in some areas of Tuscany and Emilia Romagna.

The Consorzio Valtènesi protects these 11 types of wine:

• Valtènesi Riviera del Garda Classico
• Valtènesi Riviera del Garda Classico Rosso
• Valtènesi Riviera del Garda Classico Rosso Riserva
• Riviera del Garda Classico
• Riviera del Garda Classico Rosso
• Riviera del Garda Classico Superiore
• Riviera del Garda Classico Groppello
• Riviera del Garda Classico Spumante Rosé
• Riviera del Garda Classico Bianco
• IGT Benaco Bresciano
• San Martino della Battaglia DOC