5 Wineries to try in the Valpolicella Wine Country

Valpolicella, renowned for Amarone della Valpolicella and minutes away from Verona, should be an essential stop for any wine enthusiast traveling in northern Italy. Discover our top 5 winery picks in the Valpolicella hills.

Wines of the Valpolicella hills are reds made primarily from the corvina grape variety. When young, corvina produces light-bodied, low-alcohol wines with juicy, red fruit flavors, Valpolicella. As the concentration and alcohol levels increase, you get Valpolicella Superiore. At the highest concentration, Amarone della Valpolicella offers intense wines with high alcohol content and aromas of cooked fruits.

Although an 'in-between' wine came into commercial production in the 1980's called Valpolicella Ripasso. Its technique is actually traced back to the 18th century and is made by re-fermending Valpolicella wine with the grape must left over from producing Amarone and results in a concentrated wine some refer to as "baby-Amarone".

Tommasi

Tommasi, a large producer, offers an interesting tour concluding in a comprehensive tasting including their flagship, De Buris. Tastings are also available without a tour.

Ugolini

Ugolini might be our favorite overall experience. The expansive estate is breathtaking, yet the winery's overall production remains quite limited. The philosophy of managing production has been handed down through generations, although the son revealed his interest in expanding into white wine and pursuing other ventures beyond the Valpolicella Classico area. Things to come once he takes the reins of the estate, perhaps...

The Ugolini tour includes a few rooms in the family's villa, which originates from the 12th Century. It offers a refreshing change from the usual cellar tour. When the weather allows, tastings take place under the trees on the villa's beautiful grounds.

Brigaldara

Brigaldara's tasting included 3 Amarone showcasing different vineyard sites, including 2 single-vineyard Amarone. Tastings available without a tour.

Agricola Cottini

There are several wineries in Valpolicella bearing the Cottini name. We visited a small, family-run operation. Our tasting was guided by a sister and brother of the 3rd generation, while the 4th generation (kids) played with friends in the garden Tastings are available at the estate/winemaking facilities/home, and also at their wine shop on Lake Garda.

Giuseppe Quintarelli

Quintarelli needs no introduction to any fan of Amarone or the wines of Valpolicella. They are priced accordingly, but are worthy of a splurge. Even their normal Valpolicella tastes like liquid velvet! The tour shows off the modern winery while the tasting showcases their traditional wine style.

We recommend you putting Valpolicella on your list! It's beautiful and you will drink well without the crowds of Tuscany!

Ciao for now,

Andrea