Explore the incredible Valpolicella region and wines with us and the amazing wineries we visited. You'll be planning a visit.
Valpolicella is a stunning wine region found in the hilly area of Western Veneto just east of the Lombardy border and Lake Garda. I fell hard for this area and was transfixed by its beauty and incredible wines. (For a refresher course in Valpolicella, see our blog about Valpolicella).
The red wine known as Valpolicella is primarily made from three grape varieties: Corvina
Veronese, Rondinella, and Molinara. Most Valpolicella are light, fragrant table wines produced in a style similar to Beaujolais Nouveau and released only a few weeks after harvest. Other types of Valpolicella are also produced, a recioto dessert wine and the famous Amarone, a powerful red wine made from dried grapes. It’s all pretty heady stuff.
We were lucky enough to visit two small (if you will, boutique) wineries in Valpolicella.
We set out for Valpolicella one bright morning from Verona, a beautiful ancient city in Western Veneto, about a 25-minute drive, admiring the miles of rice fields; yes, there really is a road called “The Rice Road” in this part of Veneto.
Our first stop was the beautiful winery, Le Marognole, located in the rolling hills of Valgatara, in the heart of Valpolicella Classico. A family-owned and operated business since the 1970s, Robert Corsi purchased the land, planted the vineyards, and sold the grapes to acclaimed Valpolicella and Amarone wine producers for thirty years. After a stint of training, Fabio Corsi, his son, started the winery and made the first Le Marognole Valpolicella in 2004.
We were extremely lucky to have Elenora, Fabio’s wife, act as our wine host when we visited. Extremely knowledgeable and exuding charming hospitality, we were entranced with her and the wonderful wine of Le Marognole. Le Marognole produces Valpolicella Classico, Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, Amarone CampoRocco, Recioto CampoGerico, as well as Rosato El Marascar, Rosso Verona El Nane, and the Veneto Bianco Passito; I was particularly intrigued by their Valpolicella Classico. If you’re planning a trip to the area, I highly recommend a visit. All visits are by appointment.
Details: Az. Agricola Marognole di Corsi Fabio
Via Marognole 7
37020 Valgatara di Marano di Valpolicella (VR)
P. IVA 03379350238
Tel: +39 39 2569347; email: info@lemarognole.it
Fratelli Vogadori is a small family winery in the heart of Valpolicella. Run by three brothers (the word fratelli means brother in Italian), Alberto, Gaetano, and Emanuele are the family’s third generation to run this jewel of a winery. Surrounded by the olive trees in this achingly beautiful place, the brothers tend their vines with an appreciation for the environment, and their efforts shine through their wine.
Gaetano Vogadori led our tasting, which was a real treat. His vast knowledge of the grapes and wines of Valpolicella made our tasting much more interesting; as a bonus, we were lucky enough to do a bit of pre-bottling tasting.
Fratelli Vogadori produces Valpolicella Ripasso (a delight), Valpolicella Classico, and Amarone (of course). There is also a white wine offering, Bianco dei Leoni, made from garganega grapes, a number of grappas, vinegars and olive oils – much bounty from the Negrar hills.
We were completely captivated by their Amarone Della Valpolicella, particularly their 2013 vintage. Their Amarone Della Valpolicella is like drinking velvety chocolate silk, tinged with dried fruit; I’ve never had anything quite like it.
We just had to bring a bottle home. Fratelli Vogadori is another winery to put on your list to visit. As we always recommend, plan to make appointments to visit wineries as most require one.
Details: Fratelli Vogadori
Via Vigolo, 16
37024 Negrar di Valpolicella
Verona, Italy
Email: info@vigadorivini.it
Alberto Tel 00393289417228
Emanuele Tel: 00393485946001
Gaetano Tel: 0033480312451
I wish we had had much more time in Valpolicella; it is truly wonderful, and I would encourage anyone planning a trip anywhere near that area to pay a visit. It’s time well spent.
To read more about our adventures in Italy, download our "Exploring Northern Italy"free guide.