morcote castle estate

Organic winery

A unique land between lake and sky, a family history, a vision in tune with nature

Castello di Morcote Estate is a 150-hectare farm and winery located on a promontory entirely surrounded by Lake Ceresio. It includes 7 hectares of terraced vineyards, olive groves, extensive pastures and expanses of forest. At the heart of the estate, in a commanding position, stands the Morcote Castle built in the 15th century.

The varieties grown in the terraced vineyards around Morcote Castle are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Further south in Mendrisiotto, a region characterized by the presence of calcareous soils, are the vineyards of Ligornetto, Tremona and Morbio Superiore from which Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot come, as do most of our white grapes, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Morcote Castle Estate

Strada al Castel 28

6921 Vico Morcote

Luganese

castellodimorcote.ch

T. +41 91 996 12 30

info@castellodimorcote.ch

WINE SHOP HOURS:
Monday through Friday 9h-18h
Saturday 9h-16h
Sunday the winery is closed

Castello di Morcote Estate has the utmost respect for the environment and follows the principles of organic and biodynamic farming in balance with Nature, protecting and fostering biodiversity.

The land is generous, if you give it commitment and respect it allows you to produce unique, vibrant and expressive wines.

BIANCA MARY

Bianco del Ticino DOC

Varietal
82% Merlot, 9% Sauvignon blanc, 6% Chardonnay, 3% Müller-Thurgau
Vinification
The must is obtained by very soft pressing of red grapes to avoid color extraction.Fermentation takes place in separate tanks to preserve and enhance the aromas of each variety. Only when fermentation is complete are the masses combined. It stays in tanks for 6 months before being bottled in early spring.
Alcohol content
13°
Temperature
7-9°C
Straw yellow color. Very delicate and fresh nose: fruity aromas accompanied by citrus notes and hints of locust and hawthorn flowers. These aromas continue to persist on the palate. A balanced white wine, characterized by a nice freshness and persistent minerality.
Wine that goes well with aperitif, fish, poultry, duck and charcuterie

RUBIN

Rosso del Ticino DOC

Varietal
70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Aging
Maceration on the skins for at least 15 days in temperature-controlled steel tanks. The mass undergoes aging for about 5 months in truncated wooden vats and further aging in second- and third-passage barriques for 7-8 months.
Alcohol content
13°
Temperature
16-17° C
Recommended ageing
4 - 6 years kept in ideal conditions
Awards
Internationale Weinprämierung Zürich IWPZ 2019 - Medal d'argent
Ruby red color. Intense, fruity nose with blackberry and plum aromas, accompanied by hints of spice and roasting. The palate has fine and elegant tannins that give it roundness and pleasantness. Characterized by freshness, thanks to its good acidity, it ends with a creamy finish, with lingering notes of roasting and licorice linger on the palate. An elegant blend that fully expresses the terroir of Mendrisiotto.
Red meat roasts, medium-aged and semi-hard cow's milk cheeses, fresh charcuterie.

White Morcote Castle

White Merlot Ticino DOC

Varietal
90% Merlot, 10% Chardonnay
Gradation
14°
Major Awards
Vintage 2020 Mondial du Merlot 2022 - Gold Medal Mondial du Merlot 2021 - Silver Medal
Vintage 2018 Grand Prix du Vin Suisse 2020 - Silver Medal Grand Prix du Vin Suisse 2019 - Gold Medal Robert Parker 90+ points
Vintage 2017 Mondial du Merlot 2019 - Silver Medal Grand Prix du Vin Suisse 2019 - Gold Medal Robert Parker - 90 points Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 - Silver Medal
Vintage 2016 Grand Prix du Vin Suisse 2019 - Gold Medal IWPZ 2018 - Silver Medal Robert Parker 91 points
Vintage 2015 Grand Prix du Vin Suisse 2017 - Gold Medal
Vintage 2012 Mondial du Merlot 2014 - Prix du Meilleur Merlot Blanc & Gold Medal Best of Swiss Wine
Straw yellow color. The nose shows good complexity, with delicate aromas of white fruits, pear and white flowers, with fresh citrus notes accompanied by hints of vanilla. The palate is well structured thanks to the long aging period, which allows it to achieve the perfect balance between acidity and volume. An important wine of great pleasantness, with a long finish and important minerality. A Merlot vinified in white of great charm and structure, able to evolve optimally for long years.
Excellent for aperitifs and seafood appetizers.

Morcote Castle

MERLOT TICINO DOC

Varietal
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
DOC Castello di Morcote vineyards under organic and biodynamic management, terraces with 30-35% slope, vines approx. 35 years old. Loose soil resting on pink porphyry, a quartzite of volcanic origin peculiar to the promontory of Arbostora. Microclimate conferred by the lacustrine mirror with thermal winds. Altitude between 400 and 500 meters above sea level.

Vinification
Maceration on the skins with manual pumping over and punching down for about 20 days in truncated wooden vats and in steel tanks, both at controlled temperatures. Aging takes place for at least 12 months in barriques of different caratings, mainly of second and third passage, to maintain the peculiarities of the elegant and delicate aromas of this wine.
Alcohol content
13.5°
Serving temperature
18° C - please serve in a Bordeaux glass
Awards
2019 vintage
Expovina 2021 - Silver Medal
Robert Parker 91 points
2018 vintage
Robert Parker 90 points
2017 vintage
Robert Parker 91 points
2016 vintage
Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 - Silver Medal
Robert Parker 91 points
2015 vintage
Mondial du Merlot 2018 - Silver Medal
Decanter World Wine Awards 2018 - Silver Medal
Robert Parker 92 points
2013 vintage
Mondial du Merlot 2018 - Gold Medal
Grand Prix du Vin Suisse 2017 - Silver Medal
Robert Parker 91 points
James Suckling 91 points
2012 vintage
Mondial du Merlot 2017 - Silver Medal
Robert Parker 90 points
James Suckling 92 points
Intense ruby red color. Complex bouquet on the nose, in which aromas of spices accompanied by small dark fruits prevail, with hints of black cherries and balsamic notes on the finish.
Soft and balanced on the palate, supported by structured tannins, whose finesse and elegance give a long finish. A Merlot of great character, velvety, authentically expressing the specific terroir of Morcote.
Important red meat dishes, wild game, mild aged or blue cheese from the alpine pastures.

Visits and Tastings

Tastings are held by reservation Wednesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., with a maximum of 12 participants. Each couple or group has its own table. You can contact us for custom or group requests.

Duration: approx. 2 hours, including a visit to the vineyards, castle and winery.

Terroir Tasting - 6 wines representing the peculiarities of the terroirs of Morcote and Mendrisiotto. Price: 45.- chf per person.

Premium tasting - 6 wines, including our prestigious Castello di Morcote Riserva and Fuoco. Price: 55.- chf per person.

Info and reservations:

degustazioni@castellodimorcote.ch,

tel. +41 91 996 12 30.

ACTIVITIES.

Wine & Dine

On Thursday, Friday or Saturday evenings Wine & Dine at the winery: the aperitif takes place in the garden in front of the winery around our Feuerring, the ring of fire, which symbolizes the connection to the volcanic soil from which our wines are made.

Dinner in the Vineyard under the Stars

June to September

After a tour of the winery and a short scenic walk through the vineyards, the sunset aperitif within the historic walls of Morcote Castle, from where there is a spectacular view of the lake.

Afterwards, a magical dinner surrounded by the rows of vines, where a thousand tiny lights will frame you.