Quintarelli Giuseppe

Quintarelli is the iconic ultra-traditional Valpolicella producer in Negrar - the spiritual father of modern Amarone and one of the most legendary houses in Italian wine. Founded by Silvio Quintarelli in 1924 in Cerè (a hamlet of Negrar); his son Giuseppe "Bepi" Quintarelli (1927-2012) took over around 1950 and ran the estate for some sixty years, building the cult status the name now carries. Bepi died in January 2012. The estate continues under his daughter Fiorenza Grigoli, her husband Giampaolo, and their sons Francesco and Lorenzo.

Around twelve hectares on the eastern slope of the Negrar valley. The home block sits on Monte Ca' Paletta above the cellar - three hectares in pergola veronese for local varieties, with international varieties in Guyot. Additional plots in Valgatara, Sant'Ambrogio, and Montorio. Total production runs to roughly sixty thousand bottles a year across the full lineup.

The range: Amarone Classico; Amarone Riserva in exceptional vintages only, with ten years in oak; Recioto Classico; Valpolicella Classico Superiore; Rosso del Bepi (the declassified bottling in non-Amarone vintages); Primofiore; Alzero (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, IGT, with two to three years in French oak plus around four more in Slavonian); Bandito (Garganega-led white blend); the Bianco Secco "Ca' del Merlo"; and the sweet Amabile del Cerè. Famous hand-scripted labels with gold lettering. There's no sign at the entrance - the wines speak for themselves.