Lessini Durello DOC Metodo Classico Riserva 60 Months

Our first encounter with Durella did not happen at a winery, but during dinner with Luigi Ruffo, the exceptional olive oil producer from Veneto whose oils we were proud to represent and who sadly passed away in 2025.

While dining together in his hometown of Illasi, Luigi insisted that before leaving we had to discover a sparkling wine made from a grape we had never even heard of. We trusted him completely.

One glass was enough.

We were immediately captivated by its extraordinary freshness, elegant structure and remarkable mineral character. Unlike many sparkling wines that impress through richness alone, Durella fascinated us through precision, energy and drinkability.

Months later, Elisa introduced us to Sandro De Bruno. After tasting his remarkable still wines from Monte Calvarina, one question immediately came to mind: if these wines are this impressive, what must his Durella be like?

The answer exceeded every expectation.

Compared with the estate's already outstanding 36-month Riserva, the 60 Mesi reaches another level of complexity. Five years on the lees add beautiful layers of brioche, pastry cream, dried fruit and delicate spice, while preserving the remarkable freshness and volcanic identity that first made us fall in love with Durella.

Today, this bottle represents much more than an exceptional sparkling wine. It reminds us of Luigi, of friendship, of curiosity, and of the joy of discovering wines that most people have never experienced before.

This remarkable sparkling wine displays a brilliant golden straw yellow colour with an exceptionally fine and persistent mousse.

The bouquet is remarkably layered. Pronounced mineral notes lead into aromas of chalk, flint and wet stone, followed by mango, papaya, candied citron and bergamot. As the wine opens further, elegant floral notes of acacia and orange blossom emerge before evolving towards brioche, pastry cream, dried fruit, almond, honey and delicate spices, including cinnamon and ginger.

Our first impression was one of extraordinary freshness. Crisp green apple notes combine beautifully with the volcanic minerality, while the creamy mousse provides remarkable balance and refinement. Rather than relying on fruit richness, the wine is driven by precision, salinity and elegance.

Compared with the 36-month Riserva, the additional ageing introduces another layer of complexity through refined yeast-derived aromas while preserving the vibrant acidity that makes Durella such an exceptional sparkling grape.

The finish is exceptionally long, saline and mineral, ending with the characteristic gentle bitterness that makes every sip immediately invite another.

Pairing: Venetian-style salt cod (Baccalà alla Vicentina), pasta with smoked fish, oysters, sashimi, fish tartare, shellfish, creamy risotto, goat cheese, delicate white meats and refined aperitifs.

The winery Sandro De Bruno was founded in 2002 by Sandro Tasoniero and Marina Ferraretto with the vision of revealing the true potential of the volcanic terroirs of eastern Veneto.

Located near the town of Soave, the estate cultivates around 11 hectares of vineyards on the slopes of Monte Calvarina, an ancient volcanic formation whose basaltic soils are among the most distinctive in the region. Many of the vineyards lie at elevations of up to 600 meters above sea level, where significant temperature differences between warm days and cool nights allow the grapes to ripen slowly while preserving freshness and aromatic complexity.

From the beginning, the winery has focused on the region’s autochthonous grape varieties, particularly Garganega and Durella. Their goal has always been to reinterpret these traditional grapes with precision and personality, producing wines that reflect both the volcanic origin of the soils and the unique microclimate of the hills.

Sandro De Bruno also played a role in bringing renewed attention to Durella, an almost forgotten native variety capable of producing highly distinctive sparkling wines. Alongside their Soave wines, this grape has become an important part of the estate’s identity.

In both vineyard and cellar, the philosophy is guided by a principle of minimal intervention and respect for nature. The vineyards are farmed using sustainable practices, relying on organic fertilizers and avoiding synthetic herbicides. Harvesting is carried out by hand, and winemaking techniques are designed to preserve the purity of the fruit and the character of the terroir.

Through careful work and patience, Sandro De Bruno produces wines that express the volcanic soul of Soave — precise, mineral-driven and deeply connected to their origin.

Monti Lessini DOC

Monti Lessini DOC is one of Italy's most distinctive sparkling wine appellations, located in the volcanic hills between Verona and Vicenza, on the southern slopes of the Lessini Mountains in Veneto. Vineyards are typically planted at elevations between 300 and 600 metres above sea level, where a cool climate, significant day-night temperature variation, and ancient basaltic soils create ideal conditions for producing elegant wines with remarkable freshness and pronounced minerality.

The appellation is closely associated with Durella, a native grape variety that has been cultivated in this area for centuries. Naturally high in acidity, Durella is exceptionally well suited for sparkling wine production, producing wines with vibrant citrus notes, refined structure, and excellent ageing potential. Depending on the style, the denomination also permits other grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Garganega, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and Sauvignon.

The region has a long tradition of producing bottle-fermented sparkling wines. In the past, these wines were marketed under the name Lessini Durello. Following revisions to the appellation regulations, sparkling wines produced using the traditional bottle fermentation method (Metodo Classico) are now released as Monti Lessini DOC, while wines made using the Charmat (tank) method are marketed under the Lessini Durello DOC appellation.

Today, Monti Lessini DOC represents the highest expression of the region's traditional-method sparkling wines, combining the distinctive character of volcanic terroir with the freshness, elegance, and longevity that have made Durella one of Italy's most fascinating indigenous grape varieties.