Island of Mazzorbo: the resurgence of the magical Dorona grape on the Venissa estate
Hidden in a corner of Venice where time appears to pass more slowly,
where the coloured houses of Burano are reflected in the water is a story of
new life amidst silent canals. Here on the island of Mazzorbo, the Dorona of Venice, an
almost forgotten grape variety, has been brought back to life thanks to the Venissa project.
The Dorona is a wine that used to be part of the identity of Venice: for
centuries it was served at the Doges' banquets and the festivals of the
Serenissima. The religious orders tended and preserved the viticulture in their
properties around the lagoon together with the island farmers and the Venetian
merchants reaped the economic benefits when the Republic of Venice was at its
height.
However, over time the lagoon countryside was gradually abandoned and
this, combined with all the problems of cultivation resulted in the loss of
this variety. It had almost disappeared after the great flood of 1966 and in
the nineties it was almost considered a legend: golden grapes that could no
longer be found. Then, the Bisol family, a historic producer of Prosecco,
decided to believe in this dream in the early 2000s. A few surviving plants discovered
by chance on the island of Torcello and nearby Burano rekindled hope.
This oenological and cultural project does not merely produce wine. It has
also rediscovered the landscape, protects its biodiversity and enhances the
tradition of the lagoon.
The Venissa adventure
2010 saw the beginning of Venissa,
a vineyard enclosed within mediaeval walls, a special place where life coexists
with the tides and the salt water, which every so often invades the rows of
vines. It became a challenge against nature, but also an act of love towards
Venice and its agricultural heritage. This walled vineyard is open to the
public tor relaxing walks to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this place.
The result is surprising: a full bodied, intense golden grape, capable
of restoring the unique character of the lagoon in the glass. In addition to
the precious "nectar of the gods", each bottle is a work of art:
hand-blown Murano glass, numbered one by one, as though to say nothing has been
left to chance.
Venissa is a project that combines not only oenology, art and the
terroir, but also the cuisine, all in a single package. Today, a glass of
Venissa does not involve merely tasting a rare wine: it means getting to know
the history of Venice, its resilience and its unique relationship with nature.
In addition to the vineyard, you can also visit the
vegetable gardens cultivated by nine of the island's pensioners who, in springtime,
grow the famous artichokes of Mazzorbo known as "castraure".
Information: https://www.venissa.it
Ca’ Lucrezia looks forward to welcoming you to Venice
The Locanda Ca' Lucrezia is a stone's throw from Santa Lucia Station in the heart of the peaceful district of Cannaregio. It offers the perfect starting point to explore Venice and discover its hidden spots, such as Venissa.
Information: https://calucrezia.it/ca-lucrezia-en