Discover the Vineyard on Mazzorbo Island

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Your day of serenity and appreciation for the bounty of nature begins when you step aboard the motor launch and cruise across the Venetian Lagoon to the Island of Mazzorbo. This peaceful retreat, which together with other inhabited islands, such as Torcello and Burano, comprise an archipelago of color, art and local flavors. Here you'll spend a half day touring a unique vineyard cultivating grapes planted in the waters of the Adriatic Sea.

The Island of Mazzorbo, linked by a short wooden bridge to Burano, was originally dubbed "Maiurbium." Founded in 640 A.D., during the Barbarian invasion, it once played a significant role in the area's commercial life. But as the centuries faded, so too did the economic significance of the island. It remained a vacation spot for Venetian nobility and was famous for its beautiful Santa Caterina Monastery, built in 1283. The picturesque area was a favorite of Winston Churchill's, an amateur painter who would set up his easel and paint the island's abundant artichoke fields, fruit trees and vineyards.

Upon your arrival to this serene enclave, you'll stroll to a picturesque vineyard, entirely encircled by a medieval wall. Venissa Estate spans two hectares and was known during the Renaissance for the cultivation of Dorona grapes, a white grape highly praised for the golden wine it produced. Here in this rustic setting, you'll embark on a tour of the vineyard and learn about the history of the wine that was made here for centuries.

Today, the Bisol family, who have produced prosecco in Valdobbiadene since the 16th century, are restoring an ancient, abandoned vineyard on Mazzorbo, on the Scarpo Volo estate now called "Venissa." They have resurrected this historic vineyard and its 19th century manor house, which has been converted into an inn. In 2002, they were able to salvage 80 vines from the white-grape varietal, Dorona, which until then was believed extinct. The roots were planted in 2006, and in 2010 the first vintage was released. It was named Venissa in homage to an inspirational verse from the poetry of Andrea Zanotto.

The exquisiteness of the contents of a bottle of Venissa wine is matched only by the design of the bottle itself. It artfully combines two Venetian traditions: the golden Dorona grape that was beloved by the Doges but nearly lost forever, and gold leaf, a Venetian tradition, hand-produced by the local Battiloro family in Venice. The bottle was crafted by one of Murano's famous glass artists, Giovanni Moretti, who fires sheets of gold leaf directly onto the surface of the bottle. A new vintage, Rosso Venissa, will soon be released with a handcrafted bottle, adorned with copper.

As you explore this magical setting and learn the vineyard's history and current cultivation techniques, you'll find yourself drawn to the simple beauty of the land, which produces such bounty in the face of challenging conditions. The salt water from the lagoon periodically floods the vineyard, and a great deal of effort must go into creating the proper drainage.

Escorted back into a tasting room, you'll have the opportunity to sample an aperitif, served with a selection of "cicheti," Venetian tapas snacks, some of which come from Venissa's own gardens, orchard and fish farm.

You'll return by motorboat back to the pier.

Special Notes:

This tour is not available to passengers beginning or ending their voyage in Venice.

This tour is not wheelchair accessible.

This tour will not operate on all voyages. The tour performance depends on Venissa Vineyard availability.