Tenuta Castello di Morcote

Regarded as one of the most beautiful wine estates in Ticino, Tenuta Castello di Morcote currently produces some of the best wines in this, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Gaby Gianini has been managing the property with great elan and verve since 2009. 

Tenuta Castello di Morcote, considered to be one of Ticino’s most alluring wine properties, is situated around 200 metres above the picturesque village of Vico Morcote, offering stunning views of the mountains and Lake Lugano. Set amid the vines are the ruins of the ancient castle Castello di Morcote. 

A relative latecomer to winemaking

Only after studying art history in Lausanne did Gaby Gianini venture into wine production. Since 2009, she has put her heart and soul into managing the winery that her grandfather acquired back in 1940. Gaby’s uncompromising commitment to quality led her to go organic. Her efforts paid off when Gault Millau handed her its 2015 ‘Rookie of the year’ award. She was also named as one of Switzerland’s top 100 winemakers one year later.

Merlot – a Ticino tradition

Merlot dominates production at Castello di Morcote and in the surrounding vineyards of Malcantone. A unique terroir, with soils consisting of porphyry and granite, offers this iconic grape the perfect stage. At the beginning of 2014, Gaby grew her vineyard holdings by five hectares after taking over Adriano Kaufmann’s wine estate. She has been selling Kaufmann’s wines under the Castello di Morcote label since the 2015 vintage. 

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