Remains of a Roman temple in the back garden of this winery in Valpolicella. The temple was dedicated to Flora, goddess of nature, plants and the agricultural world.
You can find this winery in the very heart of Valpolicella Classica, the historical and traditional Valpolicella and Amarone wine producing area.
The villa was built in the XVII century on the top of a beautiful hill surrounded by cypresses not far from the town of San Pietro in Cariano. From the top of the hill you wil enjoy a magnificent panorama over the Valpolicella valley. The vineyards are all around the villa, on the slopes of the hill. Only grapes produced in the estates are used for their wines.
The facade of the villa.
There was a settlement here already during Roman age. Many remains of Roman buildings were discovered through the centuries around the property, in particular a circular temple dedicated to Flora the Roman goddess of the agricultural world. Few columns and inscriptions of the temple can be found in the back garden of the villa surrounded by cypresses. Other remains and Roman inscriptions have been placed in the walls of side buildings.
Valpolicella was already a famous wine producing area in ancient times well known for the production of a sweet wine named vino retico. Today, the sweet Recioto still produced in Valpolicella, it is believed to be the descendant of Vino Retico. We can easily imagine that the hills surrounding the villa were already covered by vineyards more then two thousands years ago.
Documents prove that there was a wine making activity here already in 1470.
The cellar.
On the top of this strategically positioned hill, in the X century Berengario built one of his castles. Berengario was the Duke of Friuli and for a short time ruled over northern Italy, making Verona the capital of his kingdom.
In 1998 the cellar of the villa was refurbished in order to better meet the needs of modern wine making. Nevertheless the old voulted cellars kept their ancient and traditional atmospheare. Amarone and Valpolicella Superiore wines age in French oak barriques and casks.
The lofts on the top of side buildings are used to dry grapes used for the production of Recioto and Amarone.
Upon request it is possible to organize winery tours in the estate. The winery tour includes a visit of the vineyards, the park with Roman ruins, the drying lofts (in Autumn you will also have the chance to see grapes drying) and cellar. The visit will be followed by a tasting of a selection of the produced wines and Amarone.
Tasting area.
The guided winery tour is recommended for groups of minimum 6-8 participants. Tasting room is in a hall inside one of the wings of the villa. From May until September the tasting will take place outside in the inner courtyard.
Events, meetings, wedding ceremonies, incentive tours can be organized in the estate. Catering service can be provided.
Do not hesitate to contact us for further information on this Valpolicella and Amarone winery and on our Valpolicella winery tours.