Valpolicella – wine, wineries, food, arts, land and nature

Valpolicella

Valpolicella is a predominantly hilly area in the Veneto region, exactly in the north-west of Verona, it is really well known for the beauty of its land and since the Roman times for viticulture. From the weather to the conformation of the territory, everything is perfect to get  a good wine.
The territory is really varied: in the upper part there are areas with large expanses of meadows, where grazing cattle and luxuriant cherry cultivations can often be found. Going down we find the gentle hills with the vineyards. While urbanization in recent decades has filled the lower part of the valley  with residential neighborhoods and artisan areas.
Geographically, Valpolicella extends over eight municipalities: Sant’Anna d’Alfaedo, Dolcè, Marano di Valpolicella, Negrar di Valpolicella, Fumane, Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella, San Pietro in Cariano and Pescantina.

The origin of the the name “Valpolicella”

There are many theories but also many legends around the ancient name of Valpolicella. From the Latin Vallis-polis-cell, or “valleys from many wineries” to the Greek language “polyzelos” as a land “with many fruits” all the etymologies would seem to testify to the main wealth or source of this incredible Venetian region. In reality, and more likely, the term would seem to have originated at a more administrative and bureaucratic level, which in the past went to indicate the area from the Adige to the Pol and therefore “Valpolesela” as the valley of Pol.

Negrar di Valpolicella Valley
Valpolicella Valley
Valpolicella hills
Valpolicella hills

Valpolicella Classica – Valpantena – Widened

The production area of Valpolicella wines involves an area divided into three production areas, from east to west of the province of Veorna, it is the foothills delimited by the Adige river and the Soave hills.
Let’s see the three production areas:

  1. Valpolicella Classica with Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella, San Pietro in Cariano and the three valleys of Fumane, Marano and Negrar. These are defined as the  “historical” municipalities that first gave birth to the denomination. This area Winemakers can use the “Classico” term on the label;
  2. Valpolicella Valpantena, in the east of the Classico area. It includes the hamlets of Poiano, Marzana, Quinto di Valpantena, Santa Maria in Stelle, San Felice Extra. It also includes the Municipality of Grezzana, with the hamlet of Stallavena.
  3. Valpolicella Est or Allargata (widened) with the Val Squaranto, the Mezzane valley, the Val d’Illasi, the Val Tramigna and the Val d’Alpone. The municipalities of Verona (with the hamlets of Mizzole, Montorio, Pigozzo and Trezzolano) and those of San Martino Buon Albergo, Lavagno, Mezzane di Sotto, Colognola ai Colli, Illasi, Tregnago, Cazzano di Tramigna belong to these valleys of Valpolicella wine and Montecchia di Crosara.

What to do in Valpolicella

Things to see and things to do, but mainly wine and food experience, Valpolicella is really a region that offers great emotions.

Our wine resort in Valpolicella is in an excellent position: very close to the center of Negrar, easily walk-reachable to visit it or to try the numerous trattoria, restaurants and pizzeria in the area, about 20 minutes from the Verona city and 45 minutes from Lake Garda, but also close to the main points of interest and attractions of the Verona area, such as the Veja bridge, the Molina waterfalls, the Prun quarries, the Tibetan bridge and the producers of Monte Veronese.

Here some things to see:

  • The Molina Waterfall Park is a park which covers an area of 80,000 square meters in the valley of Molina in the municipality of Fumane.
  • Meridiana Negrar: The monumental sundial that greets visitors arriving at Negrar is a sculpture / internationally important tool. About seven meters high with a diameter of five and a total weight of about 2000 kg, combines “contemporary” design to the “historicity” of science that encloses.
  • Pieve di San Floriano: The Romanesque church of San Floriano is mostly a copy of the famous church of San Zeno in Verona.
  • The Ponte di Veja, a natural arch 50 meters high resulting from the natural evolution of a cave.
  • The Pojega Garden, near our cellar, this garden was built in 1783 by Luigi Trezza on commission from Count Antonio Rizzardi and represents a characteristic example of the Italian gardens. It extends over 54,000 square meters with theaters, green walls and several specimens of plants and flowers.
  • La Lessinia: recommended visits to the Camposilvano còvolo and the Sphinx Valley, the Mille Oak cave, the Giazza forest, the centuries-old beech trees of Bosco Chiesanuova and Erbezzo. For those who just want to ski there are the municipalities very well equipped for the winter tourism of Bosco Chiesanuova, Malga S. Giorgio, Branchetto, Monte Tomba and Campofontana.

Where to eat in Valpolicella

Trattoria la Porchetta: For years, the passion and the love for the land where we were born and brought up with us in the daily work of restaurateurs. E ‘for this reason that our menu offers a choice of dishes created using only natural ingredients, derived from our campaign. Our wish is that staff is also to your liking. Serena, Nadia and Luciano.

Ristorante Valpolicella: In Torbe di Negrar, the ancient land of Arusnati, the Zantedeschi family runs the restaurant “Valpolicella.” The warmth and friendliness of Mr. Luciano, who started here with a small restaurant in June 1968, still hovering in bright thoroughly expanded and renovated rooms, the warm hospitality of Gina and her six children with their families, in the inviting aromas that come from the kitchen, where the crackling fire of the old “fogolar” snubs superb modern and functional furniture.

Where to sleep in Valpolicella

We have rooms in the cellar each side with air conditioning, internet connection, private bathroom and the kitchenette. Please contact us for your reservation in basement! There is a possibility to cook using the kitchenette so to be completely independent!

Check Our Rooms

Valpolicella wines

  1. Valpolicella Classico
    This is the simplest wine of the denomination, produced from fresh grapes harvested, crushed and fermented already in September. It has an alcohol content between 12-13 degrees, ideal for those who like to accompany lunch and dinner with a good glass, pleasant but without too many pretensions. It can be served chilled as an aperitif or at room temperature for white meats or fresh cheeses.
  2. VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE RIPASSO
    In this wine the Ripasso technique is used where Valpolicella Classico makes a second fermentation together with the skins of Amarone. It is also called “baby Amarone” and it goes well with red meats and aged cheeses. For more details on the “Ripasso” technique click here.
  3. AMARONE
    It is the more famous wine of Valpolicella, produced from the best grapes left to dry in the fruttai for the whole winter, so the sugar content concetrate as well the aromas. Long fermentation, long aging in oak to get a meditation wine or to pair with important dishes.
  4. RECIOTO
    Like Amarone: it is produced from dried grapes but its fermentation was stopped in the middle obtaining a dessert wine. Perfect to accompany desserts, especially based on chocolate, and cheeses.
Our hill in Valpolicella
Vigolo Hill in Valpolicella
Raccolta manuale delle uve dell'Amarone

How to reach Valpolicella

Valpolicella is logistically perfect to visit Verona, Lake Garda, Lessinia or for relaxing in the Veronese countryside with excellent wines and typical local dishes. It is easily reachable from Venice, Milan, Bologna, Trento, Mantua, Padua in about an hour by train, 1h30 ‘by car from these cities, so it is possible to visit Valpolicella in the same  day.

Let’s see how to come in Valpolicella:

  1. By train
    There are several stations but the main one is Porta Nuova in Verona. From here you can use public transport or take a taxi. For train tickets you can look on the trenitalia website.
  2. By car
    On the highway, exit at Verona Nord, the “tangenziale” will lead you to San Pietro Incariano and you will be already in Valpolicella Classica.
  3. By plane
    The Verona airport is Valerio Catullo with several national and international flights. The airport is about 30 minutes from Negrar.