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Hotel Villa Cordevigo***** Wine Relais
37010 Cavaion Veronese, nr Lake Garda, (VR) Italy

An 18th century Venetian Villa in the heart of the vineyards of the gently rolling countryside just east and south of lake Garda just at the foot hills of the Italian Alps. Ancient home of the Cristoforetti and Delibori families, the rooms and halls echo with generations of families through all the ups and downs history had in store for them. Today the villa is a magnificent hotel retaining the feel of older times but equipped with the comforts of today.

Peter and Linda D'Aprix 2014
See our Videos >> hotel | restaurant

We arrived on a cold and rainy day, hardly the type of ambience most suited to such a classic hotel. It desaturated the rich colors of the stucco, the golds and dusty reds, the carved stone and the barrel vaulted public rooms. Happily the next morning dawned bright and sunny and the colors glowed, the canopied vineyards carpeted the gently rolling landscape in spring green as the breezes waved the new vines in welcome. While it was still too chilly for southern Californians to plunge into the glorious pool, the grounds were built for strolling, the many water fountains cheerful. The gardens rich in the sun after their irrigation of the previous day.

Our room was baronial not so much in size as style. A large decorated fireplace dominated the room. The bed sized for a king and the bathroom modern in function but in a traditional style. The windows looked over the tree shaded park with its winding pathways and many benches. Other rooms look over the vineyards or hill sides as well as our gardens. There is even a spa although we never got to see it.

Lake Garda is not far down the road and easy to find as you navigate through the 250 acres of lush vineyards. The villa has 30 rooms and suites with each room individually styled. This is definitely not a hotel that you could find anywhere but in Italy.

The large, open pool and sunning terrace looks over the vineyards and just a level above is both outdoor eating and covered patio areas to escape either the rain or the hot summer sun. The bar has its own terrace between the main house and the park.

The restaurant "Oseleta" is the domain of Michelin Starred Executive Chef Giuseppe d'Aquino and is in its own wing of the "U" shaped campus. If you come for no other reason, his cuisine is enough of a draw as you can see on our restaurant coverage page and "Join us for Dinner" video as well as the wine cave tour video and a recipe demonstration video of "Amberjack Carpaccio" by Chef Giuseppe d'Aquino in his dedicated demonstration kitchen where he also gives cooking classes.

The villa is a wine estate and apart from the acres of surrounding vineyards, the old wine buildings are the first to welcome you. The wine cave is at the base of the old 14th century consecrated church with its bell tower a beacon towering above all. The first history of this dwelling dates back to the Romans, which is hardly surprising. Additions and modifications have taken place through the centuries and finally in 2011 the villa was completely renovated and converted into a hotel. Just 30 km from Verona, it is a perfect week end getaway or holiday destination.