History
17th Century: The Gonzaga Era and the War of the Spanish Succession
In the 17th century, the Duchy of Mantua , disputed between Ferdinand , the last descendant of the Gonzaga family, and Ludovico of the French cadet branch, fell into Habsburg hands following the War of the Spanish Succession. In this historical context, Tenuta Corte Quadre was born, originally known as Villa Quadri , located in Roncoferraro . This villa not only served as a place of rural delights but also as a center of agricultural production developed through hard human work.
18th and 19th Century: Stability under the Savoy and Napoleonic Disorders
With the annexation of the Duchy of Mantua to the Kingdom of Sardinia , a period of stability began for the Villa under the leadership of the Savoy , favored by the administrative reforms of Charles Emmanuel III . However, the Napoleonic invasion in 1796 and subsequent wars led to a decline in agricultural production that persisted until the formation of the Kingdom of Italy under King Victor Emmanuel II .
20th Century: Resilience and Agricultural Modernization
At the beginning of the century, before the Great War , Ludovico Minelli purchased the estate from the Marchesi Guerrieri Gonzaga . The 20th century saw the estate and the Mantuan countryside undergo major changes, including the modernization of agriculture and the introduction of new cultivation techniques . In the 1950s and 1960s, agricultural expansion continued under the leadership of Vasco and Luigi Minelli . Towards the end of the century, Zelmira Minelli and her husband Giovanni Manerba further innovated by focusing activities on cereal cultivation and began the restoration of the historic buildings .
21st Century: Restoration and Innovation
The 2020s saw the continuation of the renovation , in particular of the manor house , respecting the constraints imposed by the Superintendence of Fine Arts and the Mincio park . Since 2021, Matteo Manerba and his family, with his brother Andrea , have continued the agricultural tradition of the estate, introducing new initiatives and projects to preserve the historical heritage and promote sustainable agricultural practices . In 2023, a new vineyard was planted, whose harvest will enter full production in 2025, with the first wine available from 2027.
Our successes
We are proud to have won the hearts of customers all over the world, thanks to the quality of our wines and beers and the variety of our collections of Honey, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Saffron. The numerous awards received push us to continue to improve and innovate, always offering the best.
Our commitment to the future
Defending and exalting our territory by passing on ancient values to inspire future generations. Tradition and distinction, from father to son. Since 1675.
