Allegrini

History

Its story begins in the 1960s with Giovanni Allegrini. Giovanni inherited the land that his ancestors had cultivated as a farm and transformed it into a full-fledged winery. By all accounts, he was deeply involved in the work and was known for his persistence; because he was constantly walking among the barrels in the cellar, offering tastings and asking for opinions, he was nicknamed “the spider in the barrels.” Under his leadership, Valpolicella began to regain its status as a true wine. Shortly before his death in 1983, he acquired the La Grola, La Poja, and Palazzo della Torre estates and replanted the vineyards. After Giovanni’s death, the business passed to his children, Franco, Walter, and Marilisa. Franco, who passed away in 2022, became one of Italy’s most respected winemakers and provide a great contribution to the technical excellence of the wines that are bottled today. The current generation, cousins Francesco, Giovanni, Matteo, and Silvia, have taken over the management of the company. Francesco serves as CEO, Giovanni manages the winery and acts as the brand ambassador, Matteo is responsible for international markets, and Silvia oversees external relations.

The hills from Valpolicella

Allegrini owns more than 100 hectares of vineyards in the Valpolicella Classica region, spread across several well-known localities, Fieramonte, La Grola, La Poja, Marogne, Monte dei Galli, and Villa Cavallena. The company also owns land in Lugana and Soave, but the majority of its holdings are in Valpolicella Classica. Starting in 2024, all of Allegrini’s vineyards in Valpolicella Classica will be located on hilly terrain. No grapes will be grown in the valleys. This is a deliberate choice. On hilly terrain, ripening occurs more gradually, and air circulation improves, allowing the winery to achieve the concentration necessary for Amarone without the jam-like heaviness that often arises on flat land. Fieramonte, which gave its name to Amarone Riserva, is a vineyard situated on a south-facing hillside. La Poja is situated at the top of La Grola Hill and was planted by Giovanni in 1979 exclusively with the Corvina variety. For that time, it was an unusual risk.

Why the hills matter

Valpolicella Classica is the historic western part of the Valpolicella region, located west of Verona and extending to the foothills of the Lessini Mountains. The soils here are calcareous and, depending on the plot, contain limestone or volcanic components. Cool nights, warm days, and a moderate elevation on the upper slopes, these are the key characteristics of this region.

This location plays a special role in the production of Amarone. Since the grapes must undergo several months of drying (appassimento) after harvest, the fruit brought into the fruttai (drying rooms) must have thick skins, good acidity, and be free from the risk of rot. The orientation of the slopes and the ventilation help ensure that all three of these conditions are met. Furthermore, it is precisely for this reason that Allegrini strongly advocates a complete transition to vineyards located on slopes. The fact is that on flat land, the risk associated with rainy years becomes a reality.

At the same time, great attention is paid to issues of sustainable development. Since 2017, Allegrini has held the “Biodiversity Friend” certification; in 2023, it added a beekeeping certification, and in 2019, the company also received the “Equalitas” certification. Since 2021, water consumption in the vineyards has been continuously monitored, and a carbon footprint tracking program is being actively implemented.

The Valpolicella grape varieties

The grape varieties that make up the classic Valpolicella lineup are used in varying proportions depending on the type of wine:

• Corvina Veronese: the primary grape variety used in the wine; at “La Poja,” this is the only variety used
• Corvinone: adds structure and a deep fruity flavor to the wine
• Rondinella: a reliable variety, well-suited for blending
• Oseleta: has small berries and rich tannins; used in small quantities to balance the wine’s flavor and color

Fieramonte Amarone Riserva is produced using this combination of grape varieties. The exception is “La Poja,” which is made from 100% Corvina grapes planted in 1979 on the summit of Monte La Grola and is released as a single-varietal IGT wine.

Appassimento, done the Allegrini way

What makes Amarone unique is the “appassimento” process. This is a process in which the grapes are dried on racks or in wooden crates for several months after harvest to concentrate their sugar and aroma. The Allegrini winery has been refining this technology for several decades. In the high-tech drying facility (Fruttaio) on the winery’s grounds, strict temperature and humidity control removes moisture from the grapes, completely preventing the development of noble rot, a risk that traditional winemakers sometimes allowed. “Fieramonte Riserva” is produced only in years when the family deems the quality of the harvest high enough, so it is not released every year. Aging takes place in oak barrels, and sufficient time is allowed for the alcohol and structure derived from the appassimento process to fully integrate into the wine. In addition to Amarone, at “Palazzo della Torre,” Franco Allegrini sometimes employs a variation of the method sometimes called “double fermentation.” The essence of this method lies in adding a portion of dried grapes to the already fermented base wine. Palazzo della Torre has been ranked among *Wine Spectator* magazine’s top 100 six times and is one of the winery’s most under-the-radar yet influential wines.

The range

Allegrini’s “Valpolicella Classica” series includes a wide range of wines, from those meant to be enjoyed every day to iconic wines, and is distinguished by the consistency of the entire lineup. “Valpolicella Classico” is the entry-level wine, ideal for weeknights and light dinners. “Valpolicella Classico Superiore” offers even higher quality. “Palazzo della Torre” is a versatile wine that has become a favorite in a wide variety of settings; as an IGT from Verona, it has been ranked six times in *Wine Spectator* magazine’s Top 100. “La Grola” showcases Valpolicella’s full potential, as its production involves neither appassimento nor ripasso, relying exclusively on high-quality grapes grown on hilly plots. At the top of the lineup are three brands that have laid the foundation for this wine’s reputation. “Amarone della Valpolicella Classico” is the benchmark bottle; it is this wine that comes to mind for many when they hear the name “Allegrini”. “La Poja” is an IGT wine made from 100% Corvina grapes grown on a hilltop vineyard planted in 1979. And finally, “Fieramonte”, an Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva, is produced only in vintages where the harvest meets high quality standards.