Contrà Soarda Winery Guide
EXPLORE ALL OUR RECOMMENDED ITALIAN WINERIES
Last updated: November 25, 2023
Winery Overview
The Gottardi family bought the land where Contrà Soarda now stands at the foot of the beautiful Saint Michael hills in 1904 but only initiated wine production in 1999. A relative newcomer, then, but in little over ten years, Gloria and Mirco Gottardi, assisted by top winemaker Marco Bernabei, have consistently impressive results with both International varieties and the native grapes, most strikingly Vespaiolo. They started with an acute understanding of the most essential ingredient in quality winemaking – an unbeatable terroir. Situated at the foot of the Asiago plateau in the Veneto region, the mineral-rich volcanic slopes produce wines of real style and complexity. Appropriately, Soarda literally means “hamlet on the slope.”
Contrà Soarda is a new face in the Breganze appellation of North-East Italy, having only entered wine production in 1999. However, the Gottardi family has shown a devotion to the land that dates back to the early 20th century. Their journey began in 1904 when Gloria and Mirco’s ancestors bought a then-barren piece of land near the picturesque town of Bassano del Grappa. They put their life and soul into creating and maintaining their farm, an enterprise that developed into a restaurant in the 1960s Da Pulierin.
Then, their children decided it was time for a change of direction. Beppa and Marcello Gottardi ran the restaurant for over 25 years until their son and wife, Mirco and Gloria, took it over in 1986. Their passion for the finer things in life, food, wine, and sharing anecdotes in the Italian sun culminated in a lifelong dream to produce wine, so Contrà Soarda was born.
Breganze was once an appellation that owed its reputation for quality to just one producer, Maculan. In just over ten years, Contrà Soarda has risen to become one of the region’s foremost producers. North of the historic town of Vicenza, the Vento region in Italy has many treasures. These include the city of Venice and the idyllic landscape that seems stuck in a charming time warp, not to mention the jaw-dropping Soarda winery, built on bio-architecture principles, merging effortlessly into the landscape. This is a fitting introduction for your visit to this extraordinary estate.
No matter how busy, the owners are always keen to share their passion and journey with visitors and invite you to sample their wines. Perhaps the magic of the volcanic soil or the winemaker’s skill creates such delicious, sought-after wines.
Wines produced
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Gaggion
100% Marzemino Nero. Produced from old vines grown in mineral rich, organic soils. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, the wine is aged in French oak for two years before one further year in bottle. Great ageing potential. -
Il Pendio
A varying blend of the Garganega and Vespaiolo Italian varieties. Produced from old vines grown in mineral rich, organic soils. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, the wine is aged in French oak for one year and is approachable upon its release. -
Il Saggio
A varying blend of indigenous Italian varieties. Produced from old vines grown in mineral rich, organic soils. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, the wine is aged in French oak for one year. -
Sarson torcolato
100% Vespaiolo. Produced from old vines grown in mineral rich, organic soils. Fermented in wood barriques and given extended maturation on the lees. Aged for 24 months in French oak. Great ageing potential. -
Soarda Vespaiolo
100% Vespaiolo .Produced from old vines grown in mineral rich, organic soils. Fermented in stainless steel and given extended maturation on the lees. Aged for 12 months in steel tanks and bottle. -
Vignacorejo
100% Pinot Noir. Produced from old vines grown in mineral rich, organic soils. Fermented in oak vats followed by 3 years ageing in oak barrels. Aged for a further 12 months in bottle. A wine of great finesse that will cellar for many years. -
Vignasilan
100% Vespaiolo. Produced from old vines grown in mineral rich, organic soils. Fermented in stainless steel tanks followed by 1 years ageing in tank. Aged for a further 2 years in bottle. A fresh, fruity white for immediate drinking.
Winery Contact Details
Contrà Soarda
Strada Soarda 2636061 San Michele di Bassano del Grappa
Italy
Email: [email protected]
Tel +39 0424 505562
Fax +39 0424 505562 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
Breganze
Founded
1904
Area under Vine
12 ha
Age of vines
30 years+
Oak barrel origin
French
Winemaker
Marco Bernabei
Owner
Gottardi family
Production
60,000 bottles per annum
Grape varietals
Merlot, Pinot Noir, Carmenere, Vespaiolo, Marzemino Nero, Garganega
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
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Vespaiolo
Vespaiolo is a white grape variety from Italy's Veneto region, renowned for the sweet Breganze Torcolato wine. Its high acidity makes it unsuitable for dry wines but excellent for sweet ones, where it achieves a balanced sugar/acid profile. Grapes are harvested at peak sweetness and then dried passito-style, resulting in a rich, honeysuckle-flavored wine.
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Carmenere
Carménère is a red wine grape from Bordeaux, France, once used for blending but is now mostly grown in Chile. Named for its crimson leaves in autumn, it's part of the Cabernet family and was one of Bordeaux's original six red grapes. Although rare in France today, Chile leads with the largest Carménère vineyards, exploring its blending potential, notably with Cabernet Sauvignon. The grape is also cultivated in Italy, Argentina, and parts of the United States.
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Garganega
Discover Garganega Wines: From Sweet Elegance to Vivacious Dry Delights | Explore the Complexity of This Exceptional Grape
Find out more -
Marzemino Nero
Marzemino, a red grape from Trentino, Italy, is noted for its mention in Mozart's "Don Giovanni." It ripens late and is disease-prone, producing wines with a dark color and light plum flavor. DNA suggests it originated in northern Italy, related to Marzemina Bianca, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, and Teroldego, supporting its regional origins.
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Merlot
Merlot is the most cultivated grape in Bordeaux and closely related to Cabernet Franc
Find out more -
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a light-bodied red wine varietal closely related to the Vitis vinifera grape and produces the most sought-after red wines in the world.
Find out more
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