Allegrini
Family Estate
Fumane, N. Italy
Very Fine Wine and
Extraordinary Hospitality
The Allegrini Family Estate's
Villa della Torrre near Verona, Italy is a magnificent example of Roman Renaissance architecture. It is a stunning place to showcase all of Allegrini's prestigious quality wines including their prized Amarone wines, experience their exceptional hospitality and learn more about the innovation in winemaking led by this historic family over a number of generations.
The Allegrini Family Estate sets itself an exceptionally high bar for its wine and hospitality – and it delivers with authenticity, enthusiasm, excellence and style. We know from experience. On a visit to Allegrini in Fumane, a town in Northwest Italy, we were welcomed with friendliness and expert knowledge, respected for our curiosity about the Valpolicella wine region, walked through Allegrini’s prestigious vineyards, and toured through the grape drying facility for Amarone wine production. An expansive wine tasting, the carefully curated food and wine paired dinner, the guided tour of the family’s 16th century Renaissance palace - Villa della Torre – all exceptional.
The Family Estate
The Allegrini Family Estate includes about 150 hectares (370 acres) of vineyards including four renowned single-vineyards, or cru. They are Palazzo della Torre, La Grola, La Poja and Fieramonte. All of these vineyards are in the Valpolicella Classico appellation, along with the winery, the modern grape-drying facility -- Terre di Fumane - and the magnificent Villa della Torre historic estate and B&B.
The Estate is owned and operated by one of the historic families in the Veneto region near Verona Italy. It is now managed by the sixth and seventh generations of the Allegrini family. The family has been important land owners in this wine producing region since the 16th century.
It was Giovanni Allegrini (5th generation) that was the pioneer and builder and led the innovation and change in winemaking in the 1960’s and 70’s. He was influential in putting the region and the company on the map for quality wines, particularly for Valpolicella and Amarone wines. He changed from pergola vine planting to a new guyot system. His new direction was followed by many other producers.
Today, Giovanni’s daughter, Marilisa leads the marketing and expansion of the company, building new markets internationally and ensuring the finest of hospitality across the Allegrini Family Estate. Giovanni's son, Franco, leads the vineyards and winemaking and encourages the energy of the seventh generation of the family to expand the business by taking active roles in both production and marketing of the wines.
In 2001, an expansion to acquire vineyards and a winery on Bolgheri’s Tyrrhenian coast led to production of wines from international varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot under the company brand Poggio al Tesoro. Later in 2007, Allegrini acquired vineyards in Montalcino in Tuscany (the San Polo Estate – 16 hectares, 40 acres) planted to vines, 8 hectares of which are dedicated to Brunello di Montalcino.
In 2008, Marilisa Allegrini inaugurated Villa della Torre as the place to live the "Allegrini Experience", enjoying wine, food, culture, history and the beauty of this historic estate. Villa della Torre is an architectural gem of the Italian Renaissance and is open to the public with 10 luxury guestrooms and a full service B&B. This Villa is one of the most important monuments of Italian Renaissance, and is exceptional. It continues to undergo restoration and is a “labour of love”.
Allegrini is highly regarded and recognized in Italy and in international markets for its prestigious quality wines and emphasis on local varieties of grapes, its innovation and commitment to hospitality.
Innovation at Allegrini
Franco has carried on the mantle of wine making innovation pioneered by Giovanni and he has shaken things up. He lowered yields even more, thus concentrating and increasing the quality of the grapes. He has spearheaded other innovative approaches, of which just a few are mentioned below.
Franco produced Palazzo della Torre wine from the vineyard surrounding the Villa della Torre – but with a production twist. He initiated the double fermentation technique whereby 70% of grapes are fermented as soon as harvested and 30% are dried (appassimento) until December and then added to the previously made wine, for a second fermentation. This method results in a richly concentrated, smooth, balanced wine with good age-ability.
He believed Molinara, a grape traditionally included in the blend for Valpolicella wine, added little value to the wine so he stopped the addition of Molinara grapes and replaced it with a blend of 70/25/5 of corvina, rondinella and sangiovese. Because of this, Allegrini voluntarily declassified their single vineyard, Palazzo della Torre out of the Valpolicella appellation (corvina, rondinella and molinara were required for DOC appellation status, now molinara is no longer mandatory). Meanwhile, the blend, now called a Veronese IGT, has taken off in popularity and been recognized six times in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines, bringing fame to Allegrini.
At San Polo in Tuscany, the innovation focus has been on an eco-sustainable approach in the vineyard (taking advantage of its microclimates and obtaining organic certification), in the winery (natural cooling, it is built underground for energy conservation, and application of techniques to manage airflow, moisture, and temperature) and more.
Allegrini continues to innovate in vineyard management, winery operations and marketing across its portfolio of assets, producing wines of finesse and elegance, and providing exceptional hospitality and fine wine and culinary experiences.
Villa della Torre Captivates the Allegrini Hospitality
It is at Villa della Torre that the Allegrini Family has defined its top-notch hospitality experience for guests. The Villa is the starting point for an unforgettable experience of touring the Palazzo della Torre vineyard, wine tasting from all the Allegrini properties and dining on regional culinary specialties. The Villa’s history, the charming and knowledgeable staff and the high quality of every aspect inspires guests to want to return.
On our tour, we learned Villa della Torre’s stunning Roman Renaissance architecture was designed by the prestigious architect - Giulio Romano. The Villa, completed in all its parts by around1560, is infused with symbols of fire and water and its design is based on a Domus Antigua, a typical residence of an ancient Roman nobility. The format is arranged around a central courtyard (peristyle) with columns surrounding a center fountain which defines the space. There is a large Koi pond which decorates the garden and the area is typically used to provide entertainment for guests. There is also a beautiful small Chapel which was designed by Michele Sanmicheli and is still a consecrated church adorned by the original bell tower, which is the highest part of the property.
The stone work from the 16th century is incredible and one of the Villa’s most outstanding features is four enormous huge gargoyle-like fireplaces that grace the Villa's rooms. Imagine stonework of fierce figures with life-like animal features depicting a devil, sea monster, lion and angel.
Drinking Wine and Dining with an Angel
There was a group staying at the Villa and it was fully booked but they were in Verona for the evening, so it seemed like we had the palace to ourselves with our own sommelier, personal chef and maître.
In one of the private dining rooms we first tasted four wines from the San Polo Estate in Montalcino, Tuscany and two wines from Corte Giara, Allegrini’s vineyards between Verona and Venice. It was a beautifully presented line-up of wines ranging from a fresh, tangy, easy to drink Pinot Grigio to a ripasso from Valpolicella that was distinct, intense red fruit with spicy and herbal notes.
The San Polo signature Sangiovese Rosso Di Montalcino is best consumed young next to the more powerful Brunello di Montalcino (4-year aging before release) and the excellent Riserva Brunello di Montalcino (5-year aging before release), which were elegant and balanced and can age well.
Elisa Costoli, Wine Shop Manager and Hospitality, Allegrini
Following that, we moved to another dining room for our dinner and further tasting of Allegrini’s wines from Valpolicella Classico, matched with regional food specialties.
We dined in view of the Angel fireplace in a beautiful, romantic and serene setting, experiencing a delicious four-course meal all expertly matched with six Allegrini wines:
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Whipped baccala (fish) topped with a polenta crisp, paired with Soave 2017
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Tagliatelle pasta with wild goat meat ragu, paired with two wines - Palazzo della Torre (2015) and La Grola, 2015)
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Beef cheek on polenta paired with Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2012 and La Poja Monovitagno Corvina Veronese, 2012
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Warm chocolate soft cake with smoked salt paired with Giovanni Allegrini Recioto Della Valpolicella Classico 2013).
There is no wine in the world that can dance with food like Italian wine. Italian wines are best consumed in context.
Soave is better to drink by the gallon than the glass. It should be enjoyed by a lake, in a piazza at sunset with trout or fresh fish.
Amarone is for dinner, its concentrated, elegant and powerful. Pair with osso bucco, short ribs, or any meat that cooked falls of the bone.
Mr. Robin Shay, North American Sales Director and Brand Ambassador for Allegrini Wines.
The People of Allegrini Hospitality
For a company to offer truly outstanding hospitality, establishing the quality level and the desire to invest in such quality must come from the owners and leaders of the company, in this case Marilisa and Franco Allegrini and the family. It must also become part of the culture of the company – through its people, its operations, its product and in every interaction with a guest. Allegrini succeeds beautifully.
The people from Allegrini that we met were all extremely knowledgeable and gracious. Our first introduction to Allegrini was when we met the charismatic Robin Shay, North American Sales Director and Brand Ambassador, on two of his visits to Vancouver Canada. He charmed us with his knowledge and ability to talk about wine and history. He urged us to experience Allegrini and Villa della Torre, which was the genesis of our visit.
Once at Allegrini, Elisa Costoli, Wine Shop Manager and Hospitality, so knowledgeable and gracious, managed our visit and toured us through the vineyards, drying facility and Villa della Torre, and hosted us to tasting the wonderful lineup of wines from Allegrini’s Tuscan vineyards and from Valpolicella. While dining at the Villa della Torre, the Maître shared his food pairing advice and provided impeccable service of the excellent four-course meal prepared for us by the Chef.
Our guest experience was outstanding, unique and beyond our expectations. In Italian, ‘allegro’ means ‘happy’ or ‘merry’. A visit to Allegrini, or simply tasting Allegrini wines, will undoubtably leave you happy.
Allegrini Wines
Soave
Appellation:
Soave, DOC
Grape Varieties:
Garganega 80%,
Chardonnay 20%
Tasting notes:
Straw yellow, citrus, minerality, white flowers,
Pairing:
Sushi and sashimi, fresh water fish, grilled seafood and shellfish, risotto, smoked fish hors d’oeuvre and vegetarian dishes.
La Grola
Appellation:
Veronese I.G.T.
Grape varieties:
Corvina Veronese 90%, Oseleta 10%
Tasting notes:
Red fruits, cherry, cassis, prune, dark chocolate,
Pairing:
Red meat dishes, roasted or with dark sauces, lamb and game, mushrooms and with mild, aged cheeses
Age-ability: 10 years
Amarone Classico DOCG
Appellation:
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico D.O.C.G.
Grape varieties:
Corvina Veronese 45%, Corvinone 45%, Rondinella 5%,
Oseleta 5%
Tasting notes:
fruit, spices
Pairing:
Game, roasted and grilled meats, casseroles and matured cheeses, hearty dishes. sweet and sour cuisine such as Asian and Middle-Eastern dishes.
Age-ability: more than 20 years.
Palazzo della Torre
Appellation:
Veronese I.G.T.
Grape varieties:
Corvina Veronese 40%, Corvinone 30%, Rondinella 25%, Sangiovese 5%
Tasting Notes:
Ruby colour, flavours of dark cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate, pepper, cinnamon, vanilla.
Pairing: with roasted meats (pork, goat, lamb), risotto or pasta with mushrooms, parma ham, cheese such as Parmigiano, pecorino, gorgonzola
Age-ability: 10 years
La Poja
Appellation:
Veronese I.G.T.
Grape varieties:
Corvina Veronese 100%
Tasting notes:
Red fruit, cherry, spices, cloves, chocolate, herbs. Full bodied with a long finish.
Pairing:
Roasted red meats and game, aged cheeses, white or black truffles., aged cheeses
Age-ability: potential to age for 18 years
Recioto
Appellation:
Recioto della Valpolicella Classico D.O.C.G.
Grape varieties:
Corvina Veronese 40%, Corvinone 40%, Rondinella 15%,
Oseleta 5%
Tasting notes:
Fruit, floral notes and pepper, aromatic herbs
Pairing:
Shortbread, dry almond cookies, dark chocolate cakes, strawberries and tropical fruits. enhances some mild cheeses - Gorgonzola.
* All pairing suggestions courtesy of Allegrini
Visit Allegrini for fine wines, extraordinary hospitality and a cultural experience
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Villa della Torre and Palazzo Della Torre Vineyard, Fumane, near Verona
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San Polo Vineyards, Tuscany
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Poggio al Tesoro, Bolgheri
*Photos of wine bottles above courtesy of Allegrini