Valtenesi and Garda Riviera Fair Highlights: Wines, Castle Restoration, and Awards
After opening on Friday evening under the rain, the Valtenesi and Garda Riviera Agriculture and Craft Fair, held in Puegnago for its 25th year, will be inaugurated this morning at 11 am. As usual, the ribbon will be cut by a 70-year-old local farmer (in this case, Tiziano Vezzola) in the presence of local authorities.
Then everyone can enjoy wines, extra virgin olive oil, honey, and grappas (a record 269, a national record), coming from Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige. For the first time, Palazzo Tebaldini, still privately owned (but Mayor Gianfranco Comincioli hopes to transform it into a venue for exhibitions and promotional activities), was used. Inside, besides the spirits, there is a small post office where visitors can have a special postmark stamped on postcards.
The Restored Castle
The restored castle has also reopened to the public. “We have repaired and consolidated the walls, following the project prepared by the head of the municipal technical office,” explained Councilor Adelio Zeni. The formidable fortress dates back to the medieval period. The intervention has allowed us to halt natural degradation.
Dangerous parts below ground level were waterproofed, and sections where serious detachments and stone collapses had occurred were reconstructed using the same materials found at the base.” “The municipality – continued the Puegnago councilor – has recognized the value of those 5,000 square meters, which, together with the centuries-old olive trees, form a particularly suggestive decorative setting.
The area, now made structurally safe, will continue to host events of particular prestige. Restoration work also extended to the slopes of the hill, cleared of invasive plants and enriched with new native trees. The total expenditure: 170 million euros.” “The fortress’s construction dates back to 1100, shortly after the invasions of the Huns.
The villages were forced to enclose themselves with walls, build towers, and defensive structures. Centuries passed, and the castle became the property of the Duke of Este, who donated it to Captain Tebaldo from Puegnago in recognition of his military services.” Today and tomorrow, the last day of the Fair, Chef from “Il Nido,” Raffa, will offer visitors traditional dishes such as “pasta e fasoi co le codeghe,” “bacalà co la polenta,” “salam co le sigole,” “conecc de la Ninì,” and the ever-present “chisol.”
Under a marquee set up on the sports field, able to host around a thousand people, visitors can enjoy spit-roast, ribs, small pasta, and more. Meanwhile, the Fair Committee, chaired by Silvano Zanelli, has announced the winners of the Groppello wine contest. Highly praised were Sergio Delai, Francesco Novelli, the agricultural company “Due Pini” owned by Ermanno Coccoli, “Monteacuto” by Antonio Leali, “Il Roccato” by Andrea Bertazzi, “Le Gaine” of the Cottini brothers, “Le Chiusure” by Alessandro Luzzago, the farm “Cà Granda” of Giuseppe Leali, the wineries of the brothers Avanzi, Vincenzo Marsadri, and Pasini producers.
The Knights of the August Moon have selected wines from other categories, awarding diplomas to wineries from Valtenesi and Lugana (for the Garda Classico Bianco DOC, Superiore Red DOC, and Garda Classico Red DOC, along with “Cà Granda” farm and Vincenzo Marsadri); to Francesco Averoldi (Garda Brescia White DOC and Marzemino DOC, tied with “Le Gaine”); to Bruno Franzosi for Garda Classico Chiaretto DOC (next to “Il Roccato”) and Chardonnay DOC (with “Le Gaine”); and to Fabio Vivenzi (Garda Brescia Chiaretto DOC), who repeated his success with Garda Brescia Red DOC, alongside Sergio Delai and “Monteacuto” farm.
This morning will see the award ceremonies and the presentation of a photographic book. Tonight at 10 pm, the final of the Barrel Race will take place. On Friday, preliminary rounds saw defending champions from Polpenazze ahead of Puegnago, San Felice, and Moniga. Tomorrow’s focus will be on extra virgin olive oil.
