Bertani

In Grezzana, in the Valpolicella-Valpantena area near Verona, Bertani has been producing wine since 1857. It is one of the oldest and most historically significant wineries in the Veneto region, as well as one of the first producers in Italy to begin making Amarone.

History

The brothers Giovanni Battista and Gaetano Bertani founded the winery in 1857 in Quinto di Valpantena. Gaetano’s friendship with Dr Jules Guyot from Burgundy started the Franch way of winemaking in the Valpolicella region. The winery was one of the first Italian producers to begin bottling and exporting wine in larger volumes. Their Soave got recognition as it was served at the coronation of King George VI in 1937. In the 1950s, Bertani started with making dry Recioto della Valpolicella, which later became Amarone and got a separate DOCG in 1968.

The Bertani family sold the business in 2012. Today, the estate is run by head winemaker Emilio Lonardi, who has focused on restoring the historic vineyards and reviving the brand’s reputation.

Vineyards and terroir

Bertani cultivates around 200 hectares across two estates near Verona. The Valpolicella Valpantena winery in Grezzana encompasses the original historic vineyards. The second estate, Tenuta Novare, is situated in the heart of the Valpolicella Classico zone and is home to two single-vineyard wines: Le Miniere and Ognisanti.

The soils on both estates consist of a mixture of limestone, clay, and red and white marble, which give Valpolicella its characteristic terroir.

Grape varieties and winemaking

All red wines are made using the classic Valpolicella blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. White wines are produced from the Garganega variety for Soave.

The defining winemaking technique is appassimento, drying the harvested grapes for three to four months to concentrate the sugar, aroma and body, which is essential for Amarone and Recioto. No herbicides, chemical fertilisers or systemic pesticides are used in the vineyards.

Wines

The range includes Valpolicella Classico, Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso, Recioto della Valpolicella and the flagship Amarone della Valpolicella Classico.

Secco-Bertani, a dry red IGT wine from Verona, is named after the historic style of the Bertani estate. The estate boasts a collection of 45 different vintages of Amarone, one of the most extensive in the region.