Valpolicella Wine Tours: Meroni

Meroni is a small winery ran by the third generation of the Meroni family in Sant'Ambrogio, in the very heart of the Valpolicella Classica, the original production area of the famous Valpolicella wines. Nevertheless they stick to the old tradition of Valpolicella wine-making to create an absolutely authentic product. The Amarone is produced using only the three original grape varieties: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara. After the four month drying, grapes are pressed and vinified. Wine is aged for at least four years in medium size oak barrels: "like those that has always been used here in Valpolicella". The result is a full bodied, well structured Amarone, yet full of harmony and with a supple taste.
On the backyard of the 18th century country house, the Meroni's vineyard. Roses are planted as they can reveal in advance the presence of pests or diseases.

At Meroni winery can be tasted the typical Valpolicella products:

• Valpolicella Classico Sengia
• Valpolicella Classico Superiore Velluto
• Amarone Velluto years 1998, 1997, 1990

The Meroni production of Valpolicella Classico and Amarone is named Velluto (velvet) after a letter that the famous Veronese dialectal poet Berto Barbarani (1872-1945) whose bronze statue can be seen in Erbe square in the center of Verona, wrote Meroni first wine maker. In the letter, that is also reproduced on the label of the wine, the poet, who during the second world war spent long time in Sant'Ambrogio, wrote few verses to praise the smoothness like velvet of the Amarone he had received from Meroni family.

“Dear Meroni we have received
The Sant'Ambrogio made from Velvet
We have drunk it, to your health…..
In this universal turmoil
We assure you that your bottles
Are the medicine for the families!"

A tour at Meroni's winery is a unique experience. You will walk along the backyard vineyard and learn everything about vine and grapes in Valpolicella, in autumn you will see and smell the perfumes of the drying grapes, you will see the fascinating cellar and taste the amazing Meroni Amarone.

For information about guided wine tours at Meroni winery and in Valpolicella, please write at: