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In short: if you want to buy Lugana wine online, start by reading the label: Lugana, Superiore, Riserva, Spumante and Vendemmia Tardiva are five different styles of the same white wine, made from the Turbiana grape on the southern shore of Lake Garda. In this guide you will learn what to look for when choosing, the usual price ranges, the Lugana wineries you will find in our shop and how to store your bottles properly.

What the label tells you

Lugana is a DOC whose production area covers Sirmione, Desenzano, Pozzolengo, Lonato and Peschiera del Garda. The main grape is Turbiana, formerly also called Trebbiano di Lugana. The label tells you which style is in the bottle.

Lugana

The basic version: fresh and fragrant, with notes of citrus, white peach and almond. Perfect for aperitifs, fish and light dishes. It is usually drunk in the first years after the harvest, although the best examples also age for longer.

Lugana Superiore

At least one year of ageing from the harvest. More structure, riper aromas and often more pronounced minerality.

Lugana Riserva

At least 24 months of ageing, including at least 6 months in bottle. This is the version with the greatest ageing potential, the Lugana to open on special occasions or give as a gift.

Lugana Spumante

The sparkling wine of the appellation, made with the Charmat (tank) method or the traditional method (second fermentation in bottle). Fresh and elegant, perfect for a toast.

Lugana Vendemmia Tardiva

Made from late-harvested grapes, picked between late October and early November, with no drying afterwards. Richer and softer, with notes of candied fruit and honey: it also pairs with cheese and dry pastries.

The vintage

The vintage helps you choose. A young Lugana is at its best in its first years; Superiore and Riserva can wait and keep evolving in the bottle. In online shops, vintages may change depending on availability: you will find up-to-date details on the product page.

How much does a good Lugana cost?

In general, a young Lugana sits in the most accessible price range, while Superiore and Riserva cost more because of longer ageing and grape selection. Single-vineyard (cru) wines and traditional-method sparkling wines are usually higher still. In our shop, Lugana wines range from roughly €20 to €40 a bottle; current prices are on each product page.

The Lugana wineries in our shop

We choose our wineries one by one, mostly small and medium-sized family estates. Each one interprets Turbiana in its own way.

Selva Capuzza

In San Martino della Battaglia, in the morainic amphitheatre south of the lake, on clay soils ideal for Turbiana. Their Menasasso Lugana Riserva comes from the “Selva” vineyard: the grapes stay longer on the vine, the wine rests for at least two years in steel on its fine lees and then six months in bottle. Since the 2017 vintage the winery has given up wood, to let the grape speak as clearly as possible.

Tenuta Roveglia

A historic estate in Pozzolengo whose origins date back to 1404, now run by three sisters. The Vigne di Catullo Lugana Riserva is 100% Turbiana from vines over 55 years old, hand-harvested, aged 24 months in steel and released after six months' rest in bottle: deep yellow, with hints of hazelnut and an elegant almond finish.

Famiglia Olivini

A family estate founded in 1970 in Desenzano del Garda, in the heart of the Lugana area, with a low-intervention approach in the vineyard. The Demesse Vecchie Lugana comes from a cru vineyard, with slight over-ripening on the vine and about 12 months on the lees: full, round and persistent.

Patrizia Cadore

A family of Venetian origin with vineyards in Lugana since the 1950s, in Pozzolengo. Today Patrizia and her daughter Giada run the estate, about 8.5 hectares. Their Lugana DOC, pure Turbiana, is straw yellow with greenish hints and aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and minerals.

Montonale

The Girelli brothers' winery lies in the hamlet of the same name in Desenzano del Garda, on clay and limestone soils. The Montunal Lugana DOC is the estate's most-produced wine: easy-drinking yet elegant, balancing freshness and structure.

Cobue

Founded in 1971 by Laura Gettuli in Pozzolengo and now run by her children Gilberto and Simona Castoldi, with 17 hectares of Turbiana and other local grapes. From Cobue we currently offer not a Lugana but the Albis Metodo Classico Pas Dosè, a blanc de noirs from Groppello with at least 24 months of bottle fermentation: a great addition to a case of Lugana.

Our Lugana wines at a glance

Wine	Winery	Style	Ideal with
Montunal	Montonale	Lugana	aperitifs, fish
Lugana DOC	Patrizia Cadore	Lugana	lake fish, risotto
Demesse Vecchie	Famiglia Olivini	Lugana (cru)	fish, white meat
Menasasso	Selva Capuzza	Riserva	spiced dishes, special occasions
Vigne di Catullo	Tenuta Roveglia	Riserva	pasta, risotto, cheese

How to store Lugana

• Lying down, dark and cool: store bottles on their side, away from light, at as constant a temperature as possible and away from heat sources.
• Drink it according to style: young Lugana in its first years; Superiore and Riserva can wait several years.
• Serving temperature: 8–10 °C for young Lugana and Spumante, 10–12 °C for Superiore and Riserva.
• After opening: stoppered and in the fridge, the bottle keeps for a couple of days.

To learn more about the grape, the area and food pairings, read our Lugana wine guide.

Why buy from a shop on the lake

Gardafoody is based in Sirmione, in the heart of the Lugana area. The shop is run by the same team behind Santa, the pizzeria in Desenzano del Garda, and Talent Kitchen in Sirmione: the wines we ship are the ones we talk about with our guests every day. You can build a 6-bottle case with all different labels to compare several wineries, or choose one of our Lake Garda gift boxes. With the code GARDA5 you get an extra 10% off orders of €300 or more. Sale to adults (18+) only.

Frequently asked questions about buying Lugana

What is the difference between Lugana and Lugana Riserva?

Riserva is aged for at least 24 months, including at least 6 in bottle. It is more structured, more complex and longer-lived than young Lugana.

How long can you keep Lugana?

Young Lugana is best in its first years; well-stored Superiore and Riserva can evolve in bottle for several years.

Can I order different Lugana wines in the same case?

Yes, you can build a 6-bottle case with different labels and wineries: ideal for a comparative tasting at home.

Which Lugana makes a good gift?

A Riserva such as Menasasso or Vigne di Catullo, or a box like the Garda Grand Selection, which contains two Lugana Riserva. More answers are in our frequently asked questions.

Find your Lugana

All the wines are in the Lugana collection, and the winery profiles on the Shop – Wines and wineries page. Already thinking about the holidays? Read our guide to Christmas wine gifts from Lake Garda.