Ca dei Frati

Ca dei Frati is the largest vineyard owner in Lugana, the northern Italian white wine region on Lake Garda's southern shore. The Dal Cero family has farmed this alluvial glacial soil since 1939, and played a founding role in establishing the Lugana DOC in the late 1960s. What sets them apart is their commitment to hand-harvesting, direct pressing without skin contact, and selective use of barrel ageing—techniques that give their whites a distinctive flinty character and Burgundian texture rare in this zone.

About Ca dei Frati

The Dal Cero brothers, Franco and Igino, oversee every aspect of production. Franco manages the vineyard; Igino controls winemaking with meticulous attention to fermentation and lees contact. The Lake Garda microclimate—with its well-drained alluvial soils and moderating water temperatures—allows the family to craft whites of unusual depth and freshness. This terroir advantage is evident in how they handle the Turbiana grape (a Verdicchio clone), which responds to their minimal-intervention approach with vibrant acidity and mineral expression.

Ca dei Frati's whites are defined by their technique: Igino inhibits malolactic fermentation to preserve lift and brightness, then ages wines on lees to build complexity and palate richness. The 'I Frati' Lugana is their signature expression—zippy, scented, and consistent vintage to vintage. The 'Brolettino', a single-vineyard Lugana, receives 10 months of barrel ageing where oak is integrated with fruit to build texture. 'Pratto' blends barrel-fermented Turbiana and Chardonnay with tank-fermented Sauvignon Blanc for an exotic, passion fruit-forward character that stays fresh.

Beyond whites, Ca dei Frati produces reds that reflect the zone. 'Ronchedone' blends Sangiovese, Marzemino, and Cabernet Sauvignon for ripe yet elegant wine. The 'Rosa dei Frati' rosé draws from Groppello, Marzemino, and Sangiovese. They also produce a Cuvée dei Frati Brut sparkling wine from Turbiana, and notably, a 2019 Pietro Dal Cero Amarone della Valpolicella—a rich, age-worthy red from a different region that demonstrates the family's broader winemaking range.

Ca dei Frati Wines in Our Collection

The 2024 and 2025 'I Frati' Lugana (90 points) is the entry point to the producer: vibrant, mineral-edged white that delivers consistent quality at fair price. Step up to the 2024 'Brolettino' Lugana (89 points) for greater complexity and barrel texture—this is the wine to age for five years or drink now for creamier palate. The 2023 'Pratto' (89 points) suits drinkers seeking exotic character without heaviness. The 2024 and 2025 'Rosa dei Frati' (scores 87–89) are crisp, dry rosés—neither sweet nor over-extracted. For sparkling, the NV Cuvée dei Frati Brut (89 points) brings freshness and finesse.

Food Pairing

The 'I Frati' and 'Brolettino' Luganas pair beautifully with seafood pasta, grilled branzino, or risotto with white wine and butter. 'Pratto' works with Asian dishes—Thai curry, Vietnamese salad, or miso-glazed fish. 'Ronchedone' suits mushroom risotto, roasted chicken with herbs, or aged cheeses. 'Rosa dei Frati' complements charcuterie, goat's cheese, and gazpacho. The Amarone demands richer fare: braised short ribs, game, or hard aged cheeses.

Why does Ca dei Frati's Lugana taste different from other producers?

The Dal Cero family hand-harvests and presses directly without skin contact, then ages wine on lees without malolactic fermentation. This preserves acidity, mineral expression, and flintiness unusual in Lugana.

What makes Lake Garda's terroir special for Ca dei Frati?

Glacial alluvial soils drain excess moisture while moderating vine vigour. The lake's proximity cools hot summers, allowing ripe yet fresh Turbiana grapes with depth and vibrant acidity.

Which Ca dei Frati wine should I buy if I'm new to the producer?

Start with 2024–2025 'I Frati' Lugana (90 points). It's lively, mineral-edged, and consistently good value, then explore 'Brolettino' for greater barrel-aged complexity.

Who makes Ca dei Frati wines?

The Dal Cero family has owned and farmed Ca dei Frati since 1939 in Lugana, northern Italy on Lake Garda's southern shore. Brothers Franco and Igino oversee production today—Franco manages vineyards, Igino directs winemaking.

What style of wine does Ca dei Frati make?

Ca dei Frati specialises in white wines from Turbiana (a Verdicchio clone), crafted with hand-harvesting and minimal skin contact for a flinty, mineral character. They also produce rosé, sparkling, and reds. Their 2024 I Frati Lugana scored 90 points.

How much does Ca dei Frati wine cost?

Ca dei Frati wines range from £21 for the I Frati Lugana to £93.20 for the 2019 Amarone della Valpolicella. Most core whites and rosés sit between £21 and £34.