The Volcano & the Vision
Ca' Lustra Zanovello is a 42-hectare organic estate in the heart of the Euganean Hills Regional Park — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve south of Padua, where more than 100 volcanic hills rise from the Po Valley like islands from the sea. Founded in 1977 by Franco Zanovello on the southern slopes of Monte Venda, the highest peak in the range, the estate is now led by Franco's children Marco and Linda, who farm 25 hectares of vineyards with organic principles, spontaneous fermentations, no clarification, and minimal sulfites. The soils are a geological study in contrasts: generous volcanic earth, dry marine sediments, clay, and marl — a variability that the Zanovello family supports with patience, experience, and deep respect. They are members of Vinnatur, the association promoting natural wine production, and their "Author's Proofs" line of micro-productions represents a spirit of experimentation that has defined the estate since its founding. This is not conventional Veneto wine; it is volcanic, organic, and alive.
A Green Refuge & a Solid Reality
The story of Ca' Lustra Zanovello begins in the mid-1960s, when Angelo Zanovello — an engineer and son of farmers — bought the Faedo farm on the southern slopes of Monte Venda, the highest peak in the Euganean Hills. What began as a "green refuge" for family weekends soon became something far more ambitious. Angelo's son Franco discovered and nurtured a passion for viticulture from a young age, and in 1977 he founded the Ca' Lustra winery with a clear vision: to transform the dark cellar of his home into a solid and established reality. The name "Ca' Lustra" evokes the polished, luminous quality of the place — a house that shines with the care and dedication of those who tend it. Over more than 45 years, that vision has been realized, expanded, and passed down to the next generation, but the core values — respect for the land, traditional winemaking, and an almost physiological commitment to sustainability — have never wavered.
Today, the estate covers 42 hectares, of which 25 are vineyards and the remainder olive groves, woodland, and pastureland. It is managed by Marco and Linda Zanovello, Franco's children, who conduct the ancient craft of winemaking according to the same principles and ethics as their father. Marco and Linda work both in the vineyard and in the cellar, supported by a team of motivated and trusted collaborators, but the direction and soul of the estate remain firmly in family hands. The transition from Franco to Marco and Linda was not a rupture but a natural evolution — a coherent, almost physiological development of values that had been present from the beginning. In 2008, the estate made the formal commitment to organic farming, a choice that was the result of decades of practice rather than a sudden conversion. Since 2012, Ca' Lustra has been fully certified organic, and the family continues to push toward ever more natural and sustainable methods.
The estate is located in Faedo di Cinto Euganeo, in the heart of the Euganean Hills Regional Park — now recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (MaB) and a Biodistrict of which Ca' Lustra is a proud member. This is not merely a wine region; it is a protected natural area of extraordinary geological and biological diversity. The Euganean Hills are a range of more than 100 volcanic hills that emerge from the flat Po Valley like islands from the sea, created by underwater volcanic activity millions of years ago. The landscape is verdant, tranquil, and rich in history — dotted with medieval towns such as Arquà Petrarca and Monselice, known for their well-preserved architecture and delightful atmosphere. For the Zanovello family, this is not just a place of business but a home, a heritage, and a responsibility. As an Educational Farm and infopoint, Ca' Lustra welcomes visitors, students, and enthusiasts, transmitting the love they have for a territory rich in tradition and culture.
Ca' Lustra is a member of Vinnatur, the association that aims to promote the production of natural wines, dedicating itself to important experiments and studies in the vineyard. This membership reflects not just a marketing alignment but a genuine commitment to the natural wine movement's principles: organic farming, spontaneous fermentation, minimal sulfites, and the rejection of industrial interventions. The estate's philosophy is summed up in its manifesto: to produce organic, natural, healthy, intact, and authentic wines, preserving an area that is part of a protected natural park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The wines are balanced, expressive, and emphasize florality, salinity, freshness, and terroir — qualities that emerge from the volcanic soils and the careful, patient work of a family that has never rushed nature. Marco and Linda's "Author's Proofs" — micro-productions of 100 to 1,000 bottles — represent the experimental edge of the estate, testing new varieties, vineyard methods, and styles while remaining rooted in the organic and natural principles that define everything Ca' Lustra does.
"A journey longer than 45 years. Ca' Lustra Zanovello: much more than a winery. A history of research and innovation, a family tradition in the heart of the Regional Park of the Euganean Hills."
— Ca' Lustra Zanovello
The Euganean Hills & the Wine Continent
Ca' Lustra Zanovello's 25 hectares of vineyards are located in Faedo di Cinto Euganeo, on the southern slopes of Monte Venda — the highest peak in the Euganean Hills, rising to 601 meters above sea level. The Euganean Hills are a unique geological formation: more than 100 hills of volcanic origin that emerge dramatically from the flat Po Valley, created by underwater volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The area has been described as a "wine continent" because of the extraordinary diversity of soils, exposures, and microclimates from one area to the next. The soils at Ca' Lustra are volcanic, clay, and marl, with significant geological diversity across different parcels — from the generous volcanic earth that retains moisture and minerals, to the much drier marine sediments that stress the vines and produce concentration. This variability is not a challenge to overcome but a treasure to preserve: the Zanovello family supports it with patience, experience, and deep respect, vinifying each parcel separately to highlight its unique "cru" character.
The terroir is defined by its volcanic origins, its elevation, and its position within a protected natural park. The vineyards are situated at altitudes of 200–400 meters above sea level, creating a range of mesoclimates that allow for different varieties to thrive in different parcels. The southern slopes of Monte Venda capture maximum sunlight, while the elevation ensures significant diurnal temperature variation — warm days for phenolic ripeness, cool nights for acidity preservation. The volcanic soils — rich in minerals, with trachytic veins and limestone deposits — provide a distinctive mineral imprint, a kind of smoky, earthy character that gives the wines their savory depth and complexity. The clay and marl components add structure, water retention, and the ability to age. The result is a terroir that produces wines of remarkable balance, freshness, and geological expression — wines that taste of the volcano, the sea that once covered these hills, and the patient work of generations.
Farming at Ca' Lustra is organic and increasingly natural, with a philosophy that emphasizes soil health, biodiversity, and the rejection of synthetic inputs. Since 2008, the estate has cultivated according to organic principles — no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers. Many operations are carried out by hand to preserve the natural balance and biodiversity of the vineyard ecosystem. The cover crops are managed to promote soil life, and the estate's mixed agriculture — vineyards alongside olive groves, woodland, and pasture — creates a diverse, resilient farm organism. The vines are worked with extreme care, following the dictates of organic farming and carrying out many operations by hand. This approach allows the Zanovello family to enhance the different "crus" present in the territory without forcing production, favoring the varieties best suited to the increasingly warm and dry climate. The estate is also part of a Biodistrict and the UNESCO MaB Biosphere Reserve, reflecting a commitment to ecological responsibility that goes beyond the vineyard to encompass the entire landscape.
The grape varieties reflect both the indigenous heritage of the Euganean Hills and the Zanovello family's experimental spirit. Garganega — the great white grape of the Veneto, famous for Soave — is cultivated here in its Colli Euganei expression, producing wines of floral aroma, citrus freshness, and mineral backbone. Moscato Giallo and Moscato Bianco are grown for the renowned Fior d'Arancio DOCG, both in passito and sparkling forms, capturing the aromatic exuberance that the volcanic soils and warm days provide. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon thrive on the warmer southern slopes, producing reds of depth, structure, and elegance. Marzemino — an indigenous variety with deep historical roots in the region — is cultivated for the Belvedere passito, a deeply colored, aromatic wine of plum, cassis, and violet. The "Author's Proofs" line includes experiments with Moscato Rosa (Nero Musqué), a rare sweet red of extraordinary aromatic complexity, and other micro-productions that test the boundaries of what the Euganean Hills can express. All varieties are chosen for their ability to express the volcanic, clay, and marl soils of Faedo, and many vineyards have been replanted with massal selection to preserve genetic diversity and terroir authenticity.
Faedo di Cinto Euganeo, southern slopes of Monte Venda (601m), Colli Euganei Regional Park, province of Padua, Veneto. More than 100 volcanic hills emerging from the Po Valley. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (MaB) and Biodistrict member. Altitude: 200–400 meters. Volcanic origin: underwater eruptions millions of years ago. Southern exposure captures maximum sunlight. Significant diurnal temperature variation. Protected natural park status. Medieval towns: Arquà Petrarca, Monselice. "Wine continent" — extraordinary diversity from one area to the next. Mixed agriculture: vineyards, olive groves, woodland, pasture.
Volcanic soils — rich in minerals, trachytic veins, limestone deposits. Generous volcanic earth retains moisture and minerals. Dry marine sediments stress vines for concentration. Clay provides structure and water retention. Marl adds complexity and ageing ability. Significant geological diversity across parcels — each "cru" vinified separately. Soils imprint wines with smoky, earthy, mineral character. Distinctive savory depth and complexity. The volcanic signature is unmistakable in every bottle. Soils vary from north to south and east to west, creating the "wine continent" effect.
Organic farming since 2008, fully certified since 2012. No synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers. Many operations by hand to preserve natural balance and biodiversity. Cover crops managed for soil life. Mixed agriculture creates diverse, resilient farm organism. Vinnatur member — association promoting natural wine production. Experiments and studies in the vineyard. Biodistrict and UNESCO MaB Biosphere Reserve member. Educational Farm — visits, tastings, didactic itineraries for students and enthusiasts. Lightweight glass and renewable energy to reduce environmental impact.
Garganega — great white grape of Veneto, floral, citrus, mineral. Moscato Giallo & Bianco — Fior d'Arancio DOCG, passito and sparkling. Merlot — depth, structure, elegance on southern slopes. Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc — structure, herbaceous, spicy notes. Carménère — small percentages in blends. Marzemino — indigenous, Belvedere passito, plum, cassis, violet. Moscato Rosa (Nero Musqué) — rare sweet red, aromatic myrtle, red fruits. Massal selection replanting to preserve genetic diversity. "Author's Proofs" — micro-productions (100–1,000 bottles) testing new varieties and methods. Varieties chosen for ability to express volcanic, clay, and marl soils.
Spontaneous Fermentation & No Clarification
At Ca' Lustra Zanovello, the cellar philosophy is one of minimal intervention and maximum respect for the primary material — the grapes that come from volcanic, clay, and marl soils, each parcel expressing its own "cru" character. The wines are made with spontaneous fermentation, without any clarification, and with sulfites reduced to a minimum. This is not a modern fad but a continuation of traditional winemaking principles that Franco Zanovello established in 1977 and that Marco and Linda have deepened and refined. The cellar work is guided by a simple conviction: that the best wine is the one that most clearly expresses its terroir, and that this expression can only be achieved by respecting the natural processes of fermentation, ageing, and clarification that occur when grapes from healthy vines are allowed to transform themselves without industrial coercion.
The techniques are traditional yet precise, informed by decades of experience and a spirit of experimentation. Grapes are harvested by hand and vinified parcel by parcel to highlight the different characteristics of the Euganean Hills territory. Fermentation occurs spontaneously — no commercial yeasts, no temperature control, no enological additives. The wines are aged in a mix of neutral vessels: oak barrels of various sizes, concrete tanks, and steel — each chosen to preserve the natural character of the wine without imposing wood or reductive influences. Clarification occurs naturally over time; there is no fining, no filtration, no artificial acceleration of the settling process. The wines are given the time they need to mature and settle, racked only when necessary. The result is a portfolio that is unmistakably Ca' Lustra: balanced, expressive, emphasizing florality, salinity, freshness, and the volcanic minerality that defines the Euganean Hills.
"Bianco Colli Euganei DOC" — The Volcanic White Blend: The Bianco Colli Euganei is the estate's foundational white — a traditional regional blend that captures the scents and colours of the Euganean Hills in spring. Composed of Garganega, Tai Bianco, Sauvignon, Moscato, and Pinot Bianco, this is a wine that balances the fruitiness of the warmer southern slopes with the freshness and acidity provided by altitude and volcanic soils. Fermented spontaneously, with no clarification and minimal sulfites. In the glass, it is pale straw with greenish reflections. The nose offers white flowers, citrus, green apple, almond, and a distinct volcanic, mineral note. The palate is medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, a textured mouthfeel, and a long, savory, mineral finish. It is a wine of spring mornings and volcanic earth — fresh, floral, and deeply rooted in place. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. Drink within 2–3 years for maximum freshness. ~€12–€18 / ~$13–$20.
"Fior d'Arancio DOCG" — The Golden Flower of the Euganean Hills: The Fior d'Arancio is the flagship aromatic wine of the Colli Euganei — a DOCG recognized for its extraordinary expression of Moscato Giallo and Moscato Bianco grown on volcanic soils. Ca' Lustra produces both a still and a sparkling version, as well as a passito, capturing the full range of this variety's potential. The name "Fior d'Arancio" — "Orange Blossom" — describes the wine's signature aroma: intense, floral, and unmistakably Mediterranean. Fermented spontaneously, with minimal intervention to preserve the natural aromatic exuberance of the Moscato grapes. In the glass, the still version is pale straw with golden reflections; the sparkling is bright and effervescent; the passito is deep amber. The nose offers orange blossom, apricot, honey, and a distinct volcanic, smoky mineral undertone. The palate is light to medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity balancing the natural sweetness, and a long, floral, mineral finish. It is a wine of celebration and terroir — proof that Moscato, when grown organically on volcanic soils and made with respect, can achieve genuine complexity and elegance. Serve well chilled at 6–8°C. Drink within 1–3 years (still/sparkling); the passito ages beautifully for 5–10 years. ~€15–€25 / ~$16–$28.
"Girapoggio" — The Cabernet from Volcanic Earth: The Girapoggio is Ca' Lustra's Cabernet Sauvignon — with a small percentage of Carménère — cultivated in the vineyard of the same name on the southern slopes of Monte Venda. This is a full-bodied red that finds its character in the combination of volcanic heat and mineral complexity: herbaceous, spicy, and fruity, with a structure that speaks of the generous yet demanding soils of Faedo. Fermented spontaneously, aged in neutral oak barrels, with no clarification and minimal sulfites. In the glass, it is deep ruby with garnet reflections. The nose offers blackcurrant, green pepper, wild herbs, volcanic earth, and a smoky, spicy complexity. The palate is full-bodied, with firm tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, savory, mineral finish. It is a wine of depth and intensity — a Cabernet that tastes not of Bordeaux or Napa but of the Euganean Hills, the volcano, and the patient work of organic farming. Serve at 16–18°C. Ages well for 5–10 years. ~€18–€25 / ~$20–$28.
"Sassonero" — The Merlot of the Black Stone: The Sassonero is Ca' Lustra's Merlot — a variety that thrives in the warmer, volcanic soils of the southern slopes, producing a wine of roundness, elegance, and dark fruit depth. The name "Sassonero" — "Black Stone" — evokes the volcanic rocks that litter the vineyards, the dark mineral earth that gives the wine its color and structure. Fermented spontaneously, aged in a mix of neutral vessels, with no clarification and minimal sulfites. In the glass, it is deep ruby with purple reflections. The nose offers plum, blackberry, violet, dark chocolate, and a distinct mineral, smoky note. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with soft yet structured tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, savory, complex finish. It is a wine of warmth and depth — the Merlot expression of volcanic terroir, round yet mineral, generous yet precise. Serve at 16–18°C. Ages well for 3–7 years. ~€15–€22 / ~$16–$24.
"Nero Musqué" — The Author's Proof of Moscato Rosa: The Nero Musqué is one of Ca' Lustra's most distinctive and experimental wines — a sweet red made from Moscato Rosa (also known as Moscato delle Rose), cultivated organically and vinified only in steel from overripe grapes, then matured for 2 years in barriques. This is a rare variety, a "wandering grape" that Ca' Lustra has championed as part of their "Author's Proofs" line of micro-productions. The wine is dense, aromatic, and unique — a sweet red of extraordinary complexity that defies categorization. In the glass, it is deep ruby with garnet reflections. The nose offers myrtle, red fruits, Mediterranean bush, rose petal, and a distinct mineral, volcanic note. The palate is dense and textured, with vibrant acidity cutting through the sweetness, and a long, aromatic, savory finish. It is a wine of dessert and contemplation — proof that the Euganean Hills can produce wines of surprising originality when tradition meets experimentation. Serve slightly chilled at 12–14°C. Drink within 5–10 years. ~€20–€30 / ~$22–$32.
"Belvedere" — The Marzemino Passito: The Belvedere is Ca' Lustra's passito wine — made from Marzemino, an indigenous variety with deep historical roots in the Veneto, cultivated organically and dried before fermentation to concentrate sugars, flavors, and aromas. This is a deeply colored, aromatic wine of plum, cassis, and violet with herby undertones — a beautiful, not-too-sweet wine that "might result in a dreamy state of mind," as one reviewer noted. Fermented spontaneously, aged in neutral vessels, with no clarification and minimal sulfites. In the glass, it is deep ruby with amber reflections. The nose offers plum, cassis, violet, dried herbs, and a distinct volcanic, earthy note. The palate is medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity balancing the natural sweetness, and a long, savory, complex finish. It is a wine of after-dinner conversation and slow sipping — the Marzemino expression of volcanic terroir, sweet yet structured, indulgent yet precise. Serve slightly chilled at 12–14°C. Ages well for 5–10 years. ~€18–€25 / ~$20–$28.
Vessels & Ageing: Ca' Lustra works with a mixed arsenal of neutral vessels: oak barrels of various sizes, concrete tanks, and steel — each chosen to preserve the natural character of the wine without imposing wood or reductive influences. The use of concrete is particularly important for whites and aromatic wines, providing thermal stability and a gentle, oxygen-permeable environment that allows for slow, natural maturation. Oak barrels, used for reds and some experimental cuvées, are old and neutral, adding texture and complexity without masking the volcanic mineral character. Steel is used for the freshest, most immediate wines, preserving primary fruit and floral aromatics. The ageing period varies by wine and vintage, reflecting the estate's philosophy that each parcel and each variety needs its own time to express itself fully. There is no rush, no standardization, no industrial timeline — only the patience of a family that has learned, over 45 years, that the best wines are those that are allowed to develop at their own pace, in contact with their lees, in the quiet darkness of a cellar that has been transformed from a "raggedy room situated in the stables" into a place of genuine craft and continuous research.
"Bianco Colli Euganei DOC" — "Garganega, Tai Bianco, Sauvignon, Moscato & Pinot Bianco from Volcanic, Clay & Marl Soils — Spontaneous Fermentation, No Clarification, Minimal Sulfites — The Fresh, Floral, Mineral White of the Euganean Hills"
The Bianco Colli Euganei is Ca' Lustra Zanovello's foundational and most representative white — the wine that encapsulates everything Marco and Linda Zanovello believe about organic viticulture, spontaneous fermentation, and the transformative power of volcanic, clay, and marl soils on the southern slopes of Monte Venda. It is not merely a regional white; it is a testament to the beauty of the Euganean Hills when cultivated with organic care, the patience of a family that vinifies each parcel separately to highlight its "cru" character, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land without industrial intervention. The name evokes the scents and colours of the Euganean Hills in spring — a reminder that these are wines made with love for the territory, for biodiversity, and for the authentic expression of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The viticulture is organic — certified since 2012, practicing since 2008. No synthetic pesticides, no herbicides, no chemical fertilizers. Marco and Linda focus on maintaining healthy vines on the volcanic, clay, and marl slopes of Faedo — creating an environment where Garganega, Tai Bianco, Sauvignon, Moscato, and Pinot Bianco can express their full potential of white flowers, citrus, green apple, almond, and volcanic minerality. The harvest is manual, with careful selection, and the grapes from each parcel are vinified separately to preserve their distinct "cru" character. The blend is assembled only after fermentation, creating a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts — a true expression of the Euganean Hills' "wine continent" diversity.
In the cellar, the grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation — no commercial yeasts, no temperature control, no enological additives. The fermentation takes place in a mix of neutral vessels: concrete tanks for thermal stability and gentle maturation, steel for freshness and aromatic preservation. There is no clarification — the wines settle naturally over time, racked only when necessary. No filtration. Minimal sulfites are added to protect the wine's integrity, but the amounts are far below conventional standards. The result is a wine that is alive, evolving, and deeply connected to its terroir — the volcanic minerality, the clay structure, the marl complexity all present in every sip.
In the glass, it is pale straw with greenish-gold reflections — vibrant, alive, spring-like. The nose is intense and complex: white flowers, citrus zest, green apple, almond, and a distinct volcanic, mineral note that speaks of the underwater eruptions that created these hills millions of years ago. There are hints of white peach, a touch of honeysuckle, and a subtle herbal note that adds depth and intrigue. The palate is medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, a textured mouthfeel from the lees contact, and a long, savory, mineral finish that seems to echo the Euganean landscape itself — the volcanic rocks, the olive groves, the woodland, and the patient work of organic farming all present in every sip. It is a wine of great personality — a wine that proves that when indigenous Veneto varieties are grown organically on volcanic soils, harvested with care, and made with honest minimal intervention, the result is a white of both immediate pleasure and genuine terroir expression.
The Bianco Colli Euganei is a wine of the table and the spring afternoon — it pairs beautifully with seafood, light pasta, grilled vegetables, fresh cheeses, or simply with good bread and olive oil from the estate's own groves as the sun warms the southern slopes of Monte Venda. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. It will reward careful drinking, developing more honey, nuts, and mineral complexity over 2–3 years. Every bottle is a testament to the power of family tradition, the beauty of organic farming in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the volcano, the clay, the marl, and the vision of a man who transformed a green refuge into a solid reality. ~€12–€18 / ~$13–$20.
The Ca' Lustra Range
Marco and Linda Zanovello produce a diverse portfolio from 25 hectares of organic vineyards in Faedo di Cinto Euganeo, in the heart of the Euganean Hills Regional Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested, and made with spontaneous fermentation. No commercial yeasts, no clarification, no filtration. Minimal sulfites. The wines are aged in a mix of neutral vessels — oak barrels of various sizes, concrete tanks, and steel — to preserve freshness, purity, and the natural expression of the volcanic, clay, and marl terroir. Parcels are vinified separately to highlight their unique "cru" character. The portfolio includes whites, reds, rosés, sparklings, and passitos — all deeply rooted in the geological diversity of the Euganean Hills. The "Author's Proofs" line represents experimental micro-productions (100–1,000 bottles) that test new varieties, vineyard methods, and styles. These are volcanic, organic, and alive. Prices are approximate and in USD/EUR.
Ca' Lustra Zanovello produces a diverse portfolio from 25 hectares of organic vineyards in Faedo di Cinto Euganeo, in the heart of the Euganean Hills Regional Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (MaB). All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested, and made with spontaneous fermentation. No commercial yeasts, no clarification, no filtration. Minimal sulfites. The wines are aged in a mix of neutral vessels — oak barrels of various sizes, concrete tanks, and steel — to preserve freshness, purity, and the natural expression of the volcanic, clay, and marl terroir. Parcels are vinified separately to highlight their unique "cru" character. The portfolio includes Bianco Colli Euganei DOC (Garganega blend), Fior d'Arancio DOCG (Moscato, still/sparkling/passito), Girapoggio (Cabernet Sauvignon/Carménère), Sassonero (Merlot), Nero Musqué (Moscato Rosa, Author's Proof), and Belvedere (Marzemino passito). The "Author's Proofs" line represents experimental micro-productions (100–1,000 bottles). The estate is a member of Vinnatur, the Biodistrict, and the UNESCO MaB Biosphere Reserve. Founded in 1977 by Franco Zanovello, now led by Marco and Linda Zanovello. Educational Farm and infopoint. Winery shop open every day. Distributed by Raisin, Art House Wine, Italian Wine Lovers, and select organic/natural wine retailers worldwide.