Cellar the knight

Dedication and innovation

From the slopes of Mount Ceneri, on the road leading from Cadenazzo to the old port of Magadino, stretched the commendam of Contone, one of the historic seats of the Order of the Knights of Malta in Canton Ticino, now a hamlet of the municipality of Gambarogno.
In this area now long since reclaimed, on deep, cool and sandy soils long dedicated to agriculture; from its vineyards, its noble and ancient grapes, as a tribute to the values of honesty, dedication, patience and loyalty to the land, the winery IL CAVALIERE takes its name.

From the vineyards come classic wines from Merlot grapes with a proud character like the Artu', never improvised like the Lansilo' and expected like the Delizia; wines assembled in the cellar, to be shared like the Galà or the fresh, white challenge of the Loero; creative wines like the Primo or sparkling wines like the Diciotto; specialties with a structured and harmonious taste like the Aurelio, or of excellence like the Prestige, new and unique like the Ottavo; cru wines like the bare earth of the Gambarogno.

Cantina Il Cavaliere SA

41 Cantonal Street

6594 Contone - Gambarogno

Locarnese

ilcavaliere.ch

T. +41 91 858 32 67

info@ilcavaliere.ch

OPENING HOURS:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

*Times may vary

VISITS AND TASTINGS:
All year round by appointment

Cantina il Cavaliere has made a choice of integrated cultivation that combines environment and health, technical knowledge and production, balance and sustainability.

The products are the destination of a long journey through a model of sustainable viticulture and winery work.

OTTAVO
White Merlot Ticino

Varietal
Merlot 100%

Vinification
Manual harvest when the right state of ripeness is reached. Destemming and soft pneumatic pressing of skins. Must clarification by flotation. Preparation for initiation of alcoholic fermentation in Burgundy barrels in temperature-conditioned room.
Alcohol content
12.5°
Serving temperature
12° C
Recommended aging
3-4 years after harvest
Plump, spicy, light vanilla notes, balanced, fat in texture, with good persistence and length in the mouth.
Excellent as an aperitif, or to pair with lake and sea fish, fresh cheeses and white meats.

aurelio 1899
Merlot Ticino

Varietal
Merlot 100%
Vinification
Manual harvest at the right stage of ripeness. Press-destemming every 30 minutes in horizontal winemakers with automatic temperature control. Mass heating to 26°C for color extraction and start of alcoholic fermentation. Different cycles of skins processing to soften tannins. Direct racking in 1st and 2nd passage barriques. Yeast processing to improve roundness and complexity of the wine and also end malolactic fermentation. Maturation of 16 months in barriques after racking. Before bottling, blending between barrels in optimal proportion.
Alcohol content
13.5°
Serving Temperature
18° C
Recommended aging
10 years after harvest
A wine of great structure and persistence, with an elegant and harmonious body. Maturation in barrels accentuates complexity by imparting roundness and softness
Easy to match despite tannins present, with good extracts. Excellent with red meats, ragouts and even aged alpine cheeses.

prestige
Merlot Ticino

Grape variety
Merlot 100%

Vinification
Harvested by hand at the right stage of ripeness. Harvesting as late as possible. Part of the latter in drying in special boxes inside ventilated and dehumidified room until the right concentration is reached. Separate vinification. Press-destemming every 30 minutes in horizontal winemakers with automatic temperature control. Mass heating to 26°C for color extraction and start of alcoholic fermentation. Different cycles of skins processing to soften tannins. Direct racking in new barrels. Cycles of battonage and lees processing to improve wine roundness and complexity. Blending with wine derived from the dried grapes, and completion of malolactic fermentation. Racking into barrels and maturation for at least 24 months.
Alcohol content
13.5°
Serving temperature
18° C
Recommended aging
more than 10 years after harvest (if well stored)
Ripe character, soft tannins complex and elegant. Partial drying in crates of grapes to concentrate taste, aromas and scents.
Powerful, elegantly structured wine with tannins present but velvety. Excellent with red meats, game, alpine cheeses, even aged cheeses

eighteen

Sparkling brut

Grapevine
Doral,Chardonnay,Sauvignon
Vinification
Manual harvest when the right state of ripeness is reached. Press-destemming every 30 minutes in horizontal winemakers with automatic temperature control. Cold maceration of skins on dry ice for 12 hours to enhance aromas. Soft pneumatic pressing of the skins. Flotation. Heating of the mass to 16°C to have the start of alcoholic fermentation. At the end of alcoholic fermentation racking into thermoregulated stainless steel tanks, and processing on the yeasts. If necessary, malolactic fermentation is also completed. After racking, the wine still remains in the stainless tanks for at least a couple of months. Before sparkling wine is assembled and filtered.
Gradation
12,5°
Serving Temperature
8° C
Recommended aging
5-8 years old
Enveloping, fat, soft, intensely long, slightly aromatic. Acidity not high.
When young: persuasive notes of citrus and flowers.
When ripe: hints of exotic fruit.
Excellent as an aperitif, it goes well with fresh cheeses, fried mixes of both fish and vegetables in batter or tempura, various canapés.