Region – Lombardy Located on Lago Di Garda the MONTONALE winery is quite unique. Montanale is grafted onto an ancient farming tradition deeply rooted in the hills of Desenzano del Garda. Here, the early 20th century, Francesco Girelli worked the soil of two hectares in the village of Conta, where he planted the grapes of Turbiana di Lugana, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. His son Aldo continued down his father’s path, purchasing six hectares of vineyards & planted Turbiana, Barbera, and Marzemino. Aldo’s son Luciano (3rd generation) followed in his footsteps, absorbing the lessons of Francesco and Aldo; he purchased from the noble Bertani family 60 hectares & partly planted Turbiana. Struggles among family heirs, threatened his winegrowing dream, and the vineyard was almost totally scrubbed up; 1998 was its final harvest.All seemed lost, but two years later a great uncle granted Luciano two hectares of vineyard and it was at that point that Roberto, Luciano’s second-born, asked him to bring back to life the winegrowing tradition of the Girelli family. Roberto Girelli, (4th generation) together with his brothers Claudio and Valentino, breathed new life into the vineyards. At age 20 he worked his first harvest, and a year later, he released 800 bottles of Girelli wine. His first Lugana was from the 2004 harvest, and in 2005 the family planted another 5 hectares of Turbiana. In 2010, the winery assumed the name Montonale, for the village where it is located.Roberto is assisted by his brothers Claudio and Valentino. Claudio, the oldest son, directs the administration, while the younger Valentino is responsible for the vineyards.