2017 · Orestilla

Montonale is a family-owned winery in Lombardy’s Lugana area, founded in 1911 and revived in 2002 by fourth-generation brothers Roberto, Claudio, and Valentino Girelli. The estate farms around 30–35 hectares, predominantly planted with Turbiana, on morainic soils with clay and a warm, ventilated Lake Garda-influenced climate. Its integrated, low-impact viticulture includes cover cropping, natural fertilization, pheromone protection, and hand harvesting. A 2012 winery built with rice-straw insulation, natural lime, and solar panels reflects the estate’s sustainability focus. Winemaking follows the family’s “Montonale method,” with gentle pressing, indigenous-yeast fermentation, and maturation in stainless steel or oak tonneaux. The wines include Lugana Orestilla and Montunal, recognized at international wine competitions.