Roverello: the Chardonnay that tells the story of the Euganean Hills
Listening to nature means respecting its rhythms and accepting what it offers. This approach guides our choices: microvinifications, small experimental bottlings and sometimes even the timing of a wine’s release. The Bianco Roverello 2017 is a perfect example: a white wine with great structure and refinement, which needed a few extra years to fully express its voice.
What kind of wine is Roverello? It is our Chardonnay, one of Ca’ Lustra’s historic labels (graphically refreshed a few years ago). Since the 1990s, it has earned a place in wine guides, standing out for elegance and personality. In recent years, however, this variety has required increasing attention: hot seasons and vine diseases make producing a Chardonnay capable of balancing body and freshness more challenging. For this reason, in 2017 and 2018—two particularly hot vintages—we enriched it with small percentages of Manzoni Bianco and Moscato, giving the wine extra vitality and balance on the palate. The 2019 vintage, however, returns to 100% Chardonnay, vibrant, harmonious and true to its original character.
The name Roverello refers to the “roverella,” the most common oak of the Euganean Hills, growing beside the vineyard where this wine originates. It is a small, sun-exposed parcel at the forest’s edge, well-ventilated and overlooking the Faedo valley.
Today we present two vintages together: the 2019, youthful and fresh, and the 2017, which has developed surprising roundness and depth over time. It is an invitation to discover how the same wine can reveal different nuances depending on the time it is allowed.
A small note is due when speaking of this wine. In recent years, we have focused more on the native varieties of the Euganean Hills, especially for white wines. These grapes adapt naturally to the land and require fewer interventions, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment. However, when Chardonnay reaches levels of refinement and balance as in these vintages, it deserves to be valued and shared with those who appreciate an authentic and memorable glass.