Description
Cavalchina’s roots go back to the post WWII period, when Luciano Piona began farming the family property and making wine in 1948. Over time, the estate became one of the key names in the Custoza area, and in 1962 it was the first winery to use the name “Custoza” commercially for the local white wine. The family’s connection to the land is closely tied to the lake district’s glacial, mineral-rich soils, which are well suited to grape growing. The estate is now run by Franco and Francesco Piona, and it is known for combining traditional vineyard selection with modern cellar work. Today, the estate produces Bianco di Custoza DOC, Bardolino DOC, Bardolino Superiore DOCG, and an exquisite Bardolino Chiaretto, that we are thrilled to feature as part of our Rosé Club.
Chiaretto di Bardolino has very old roots around Lake Garda, where viticulture goes back to antiquity and the region’s morainic hills have long supported local grape growing. The word “Chiaretto” appears in print as early as 1806, and the style is often linked to the area’s traditional use of brief or no maceration, which naturally produced a pink wine rather than a deeply colored red. The style is now defined by local varieties, especially Corvina, alongside Rondinella, and it has become one of Italy’s most important rosé categories. In the last decade or so, especially from the 2014 vintage onward, producers have embraced a “rosé revolution," refining Chiaretto into the pale, crisp, floral style it is known for today.
Light pink hue, inviting floral aromas laced with Golden Delicious apple. On the palate, it’s sapid and full-bodied, bursting with citrus, crisp apple, ripe peach, and a gently bitter finish that lingers refreshingly. This refreshing, dry rosé—made from 55% Corvina, 35% Rondinella, and 10% Molinara—pairs beautifully with seafood, salads, or light summer fare.
