Capriano del Colle DOC
How to say it
A tiny limestone island rising from the Lombard plains, producing Marzemino reds immortalized by Mozart and Trebbiano whites of quiet distinction.
Capriano del Colle DOC is one of Italy's smallest appellations, covering just 25 hectares on Monte Netto in Lombardy's Brescia province. Established in 1980, it produces robust Marzemino-led reds and refreshing Trebbiano whites from a solitary limestone hill surrounded by ancient forest.
- One of Italy's smallest appellations with approximately 25 hectares under vine
- Located on Monte Netto, a solitary limestone hill in the Lombard plains, nicknamed 'the island in the plains'
- Established as DOC in 1980; encompasses Capriano del Colle, Poncarale, and Flero in the province of Brescia
- Produces 300,000 to 350,000 bottles annually across roughly 10 square kilometers
- Red wines require a minimum 40% Marzemino; white wines require a minimum 60% Trebbiano
- Monte Netto is surrounded by 40 hectares of dense forest, the last remaining strip from the Middle Ages
- Marzemino was immortalized in Mozart's opera Don Giovanni
Location and Landscape
Capriano del Colle DOC sits on Monte Netto, a solitary limestone hill that rises from the flat Lombard plains in the province of Brescia. Known locally as 'the island in the plains,' the hill is encircled by 40 hectares of dense forest, the last surviving woodland strip from the Middle Ages. The appellation spans approximately 10 square kilometers and covers the municipalities of Capriano del Colle, Poncarale, and Flero.
- Monte Netto is a lone limestone hill amid the flat Po Valley landscape
- Ancient forest surrounds the vineyard zone, preserving a medieval landscape
- Province of Brescia, eastern Lombardy
- Approximately 25 hectares under vine in total
Climate and Soils
The appellation experiences a humid subtropical climate with warm, humid summers and very cold winters. Two major influences shape viticulture here: Mediterranean breezes off nearby Lake Garda moderate temperatures, while continental air masses from the Po Valley bring cold winters and sharp seasonal contrasts. Soils are layered and complex, combining clayey material rich in calcium and gravel with glacial deposits of clay, silt, and sand. These conditions suit both the aromatic precision of Trebbiano and the structured character of Marzemino.
- Lake Garda breezes provide Mediterranean moderation
- Continental Po Valley influence brings cold winters
- Glacial deposits underlie the clay and calcium-rich topsoils
- Limestone bedrock of Monte Netto contributes to the hill's distinctive drainage
Grapes and Wine Styles
Marzemino, also known as Berzemino, is the flagship red variety and the most representative grape of the appellation. Red wines must contain at least 40% Marzemino, with Merlot, Sangiovese, and Barbera permitted as blending partners. White wines are built on Trebbiano, requiring a minimum of 60%, with Trebbiano di Soave, Trebbiano di Lugana, and Trebbiano Toscano all permitted; Chardonnay and Verdicchio also feature. The reds are described as robust and elegant, while the whites are light and refreshing.
- Minimum 40% Marzemino required in red blends
- Minimum 60% Trebbiano required in white blends
- Merlot, Sangiovese, and Barbera support Marzemino in red wines
- Chardonnay and Verdicchio complement Trebbiano-based whites
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Open Wine Lookup →History and Heritage
The area's Latin name, Capreanus, points to ancient roots in viticulture. In earlier centuries, the vine was cultivated here partly as a medicinal plant, used to combat pellagra, a vitamin deficiency disease common in agrarian communities. Phylloxera devastated the vineyards in the early 20th century, but recovery came through a renewed focus on native grape varieties. The DOC was officially established in 1980. Marzemino gained enduring cultural fame when Mozart's librettist Lorenzo da Ponte referenced the grape in Don Giovanni, with the character Don Giovanni praising it just before his downfall.
- Latin origins under the name Capreanus
- Vine historically cultivated as a medicinal remedy against pellagra
- Phylloxera devastated vineyards in the early 20th century
- DOC status granted in 1980
- Marzemino referenced by name in Mozart's Don Giovanni
Marzemino-based reds from Capriano del Colle show robust structure with elegant fruit character, shaped by limestone soils and continental temperature variation. Trebbiano whites are light and refreshing, with crisp acidity and delicate aromatics suited to early drinking.
- Società Agricola Lazzari Capriano del Colle Marzemino$15-20Estate on Monte Netto producing Marzemino from the appellation's core limestone soils.Find →
- Tenuta La Vigna Capriano del Colle Rosso$20-35Representative Marzemino-led blend from one of the appellation's established producers.Find →
- Le Gatte Capriano del Colle Bianco$15-20Trebbiano-based white from the small appellation, showing the refreshing style typical of the DOC.Find →
- Azienda Vinicola Botti Capriano del Colle Marzemino$25-40Focuses on the flagship red variety from Monte Netto's distinctive glacial and limestone soils.Find →
- Capriano del Colle received DOC status in 1980; located in Brescia province, Lombardy
- Red wines: minimum 40% Marzemino; white wines: minimum 60% Trebbiano
- Approximately 25 hectares under vine, producing 300,000 to 350,000 bottles annually
- Soils are glacial in origin with clay, silt, sand, calcium, and gravel on a limestone hill
- Marzemino is referenced by name in Mozart's Don Giovanni, linking the grape to operatic history