Visiting Daniele and his wife Chiara at their beautifully rustic and whimsical home back in October was nothing short of dreamy and quintessentially Italian. Tucked away in the peaceful village of Calmasino, nestled on the eastern shores of the exquisite Lake Garda, lies the captivating Villa Calicantus. The villa, which was on the verge of abandonment, has been lovingly restored by Daniele, who returned to his hometown after a brief stint in finance. Together with his wife, Chiara, and their young children, Daniele now calls the villa home. The couple used to run a bed and breakfast, but found it challenging to balance it alongside their winemaking endeavors. The old cellar, which is now refurbished, houses concrete vats and used barrels. Daniele's passion for winemaking is evident in the production of the five exquisite wines that he creates, totaling between 30,000 to 40,000 bottles - a significant increase since 2011. Despite this growth, Villa Calicantus remains one of the smallest operations in the region. Daniele's vision is to honor the rich history of Bardolino while paving the way for its future.

'Lassuperiora' is a co-harvest of Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara, and Sangiovese.  This is the first year Lassuperiora (formerly known as La Superiora) comes from a vineyard Daniele recently began renting and fully controlling.  The site is in the zone known as Pastrengo. It's essentially the highest hill in the Bardolino zone, at around 200m. It is just west of the Adige River, which separates Bardolino from Valpolicella. I would not consider these wines quintessentially Bardolino, they are an entity amongst themselves. The palate is filled with a variety of flavors including cherry, blackberry, and brambly fruit, while the aroma is enhanced by a robe of lavender. The tannins are firm, but the acidity adds a refreshing element. This natural wine has a rustic quality that reveals immense purity and depth.

Pairing: Classic Margherita pizza

Grapes: co-harvest of Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara, and Sangiovese

Viticulture: Biodynamic