Valpolicella is an extremely complex and fascinating area. The uniqueness and complexity of Valpolicella wines starts from here, with these places with peculiar climatic and geological features, misterious to a certain extent. It is a sort of micro-region, omogeneous for its historical, social and agricultural background.
Valpolicella is made by three different valleys crossed by small brooks called progni in local dialect. Negrar, Marano and Fumane, whose waters flow from Lessinia mountain into the Adige, the river of Verona.
Valpolicella Classica, the historical Valpolicella wines producing region can be roughly divided in three parts.
The first, flat, includes the towns and villages that were built along the river adige: Parona, Pescantina, Ponton and Volgarne. Here the soil, too rich and moist, is not suitable for quality wines. Peach trees and marble processing industries are an important feature of the lanscape.
The second, the widest and the most involved in grape growing, is the area including the hills on the north side of Valpolicella, extending deep into the valleys and including the villages of Negrar, Marano, San Pietro in Cariano and Sant’Ambrogio.
The third, the highest that in certain areas reaches 900 meters above sea level, includes the territory of Fumane and some high lands around Negrar. The landscape is characterized by woods and, in the upper part, grasslands involved in the production of the delicious Monte Veronese cheese.
Differences between the three areas involve also geological and climatic conformation that influence the grape growing and contribute in creating an icredibly variegated landscape with rivers, valleys, mountains.
Through the centuries men also contributed in the shaping of landscapes thanks to the millenary cultivation of the vine that has been planted on hill slopes on small terraces lined by the marogne, the typical small wall made of rough rocks that helps sustaining the terraces. In Valpolicella, vineyards, cypresses, olive groves and cherry trees surround Renaissance and Baroque style villas, ancient farm houses, medieval parish churches.
Guided Tours in Valpolicella
Together with the typical winery tour, Valpolicella can become a very interesting destination for a guided tour on its own. Valpolicella tourist guides of Amarone tours, can design itinerary to let you discover the beauty of this special territory: with the breathtaking panorama from the heights of San Giorgio village, to the gorgeous 1700s noble family manors like Villa Novare and Villa della Torre, and the middle age parish churches like San Floriano and San Giorgio.
The typical half day guided tour of Valpolicella includes a visit of a winery with tasting of Valpolicella wines, a panoramic drive up to Gargagnago, Negrar or San Giorgio and a stop to San Floriano church.
Full day tours can include a lunch in a typical restaurant where you will taste local cuisine, visit in two wineries and other stops in villas and churches.
Do not hesitate to contact Amarone Tours guides for further information or to book a guided tour in Valpolicella.