The world of wine is fascinating, characterized by an interesting “paradox of scale”. Much of the world's wine is produced by a relatively small number of large wineries, but most wineries are very small. This paradox is also visible in the United States, where most wine is produced by less than 0.5% of wineries producing at least around 300,000 cases per year. However, small wineries still find ways to compete successfully.
Cascina Maddalena: Located in Sirmione, near Lake Garda, Cascina Maddalena is a historic family business that produces intense and distinctive Lugana DOC wines. They also run an agritourism centre, combining hospitality with wine production to support their business. Their “Clay” wines, produced only in special vintages, are particularly notable for their intense minerality.
Gozzi winery: This winery, founded about 100 years ago, has origins from sharecroppers. Located near Mantua, Cantina Gozzi has evolved into a specialized winery, producing around 120,000 bottles per year. They offer a range of Garda DOC wines, including fresh, floral Chardonnays and a richer French oak-aged style.
Colli Morenici winery: This wine cooperative was founded in 1959 as a response to unfavorable market conditions. Through the merger with other cooperatives, Cantina Colli Morenici is part of Cantine di Verona, which manages a wide range of wines intended mainly for daily consumption. Approximately 70% of their production is intended for export, mainly to private brands in the United States. They also identified potential in the US market for Custoza Superiore DOC.
These examples show the diversity and resilience of Italian wineries, which, despite challenges, find unique ways to thrive in a competitive global market.
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