Terroir Summary:
The Valdobbiadene area extends over hilly terrain located 50km from Venice and about 100km from the Dolomites. The landscape follows the natural shape of the hills that stretch from east to west. The soils are of marine and lacustrine origin, reshaped by glaciers and their deposits. Soils are deep, consisting of rock and sand conglomerates with much clay and sometimes iron as well. Viticulture here is sometimes called ‘heroic’ because of the steep slopes. Canevel owns 26 hectares within the Valdobbiadene DOCG area, and sources from reputable growers for their DOC wines, predominantly in the Trevisio area.
Heritage:
Canevel was founded in 1979 by Mario Caramel, a recognised expert and enthusiast in the wine industry. Canevel launched Valdobbiadene’s first charmat method vintage wine in 1989, a notable milestone in the region’s sparkling history. In 1994, the purchase of the prestigious Faè vineyard in the municipality of Refrontolo was the start of Canevel’s focus on the concept of cru wines, selecting vineyards with specific pedoclimatic conditions to make wines with unique personalities and values. This decision to focus on quality and the DOCG range has made Canevel a recognised premium Prosecco producer. In 2016, Canevel became part of the Masi Group. These two companies share a perfect synergy, being linked to the values of a founding family and rooted in the Venetian regions. In 2018 Canevel produced its first organic sparkling wine. Then, in 2019, Canevel launched Setàge, its slow sparkling method using selected yeasts, noted for its fine texture.
Philosophy:
Canevel’s philosophy is built around a rare degree of control in the Prosecco world, integrating vineyard work, winemaking and sparkling wine production in-house so that quality can be shaped at every stage. That estate-led model is unusual in Valdobbiadene: Canevel farms 26 hectares of its own vineyards and works with a select group of growers for the balance, giving the estate an unusually strong vineyard footing for Prosecco. Sustainability is central to this approach, with mechanical weeding, grassing, biodiversity-focused viticulture, careful weather monitoring, certified sustainable packaging materials and reuse and recycling projects all forming part of the wider program. The same attention to detail defines Setàge, Canevel’s signature slow sparkling method, in which selected yeasts and low-temperature fermentation at 12–14°C create the wine’s particularly fine, silky mousse and creamy texture.
People:
Carlo Caramel, son of founder Mario Caramel, remains the family figure at the heart of Canevel, representing the brand’s founding values as Chairman and Brand Ambassador. Since Canevel joined the Masi Group, the estate has worked in close synergy with Federico Girotto, President of Canevel and CEO of Masi Agricola, while the technical direction of production has been shaped by Andrea Dal Cin, Masi’s Group Technical Director and a key winemaking figure associated with Canevel’s evolution.
Beyond the Vine:
Canevel means “little winery” in the local dialect, the corner where the best wines are kept. It’s a château-style property in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Prosecco Hills, offering vineyard walks, cellar visits, terrace tastings, picnics, e-bike tours and even horseback experiences that connect the wines to the wider landscape and local traditions.
