Lessini Durello DOC is the sparkling-wine denomination of the Monti Lessini, a hilly and mountainous area extending between the provinces of Verona and Vicenza in eastern Veneto. Its vineyards occupy articulated slopes in cool, well-ventilated sites, within a landscape profoundly shaped by ancient volcanism. Basaltic rocks, dark volcanic soils, tuff and calcareous inclusions give the wines a distinctive mineral tension. Altitude, marked diurnal shifts and a long growing season help preserve acidity and aromatic definition.
Durella is the key grape and provides the dominant share of the blend. Its name evokes the firm, resilient texture of its berry skins. A relatively late-ripening variety, Durella naturally retains high total acidity and produces a distinctive profile of citrus, crisp white fruit, herbs and, frequently, saline or stony nuances. Other permitted white varieties may be used in limited proportions to complete the blend, while leaving Durella’s identity firmly at its centre.
Viticulture requires close control of ripeness, because freshness, sound fruit and acid structure are fundamental to the denomination. Grapes are generally harvested after an extended ripening period and handled gently in the cellar. Soft pressing followed by temperature-controlled fermentation produces a bright, taut base wine. The second fermentation may take place in a pressurised tank according to the Martinotti method, preserving fruit and immediate energy, or in bottle, where longer contact with the lees develops greater complexity, with notes recalling citrus, bread crust and mineral depth.
The local history of Durella stretches back many centuries. Its aptitude for sparkling wine has long been valued for its unusual acidity and structural firmness. Lessini Durello therefore brings together an ancient mountain grape, the volcanic terrain of the Lessini range and a deeply rooted tradition of sparkling-wine production.
