Giuseppe Quintarelli

Giuseppe Quintarelli is often called “The Godfather of Amarone” – the winery’s reputation is so strong that it has no website, and no publicly available address or phone number. The family estate, covering just 11 hectares of limestone and basalt soils, produces a very limited quantity of wine each year, with hand-written labels that grace the wine lists of the world’s most prestigious restaurants.

This is an estate that not only preserves the ancient traditions of Amarone production but, in many ways, created them. ‘Corvina’, ‘Corvinone’ and ‘Rondinella’ grapes are dried for as long as 4 months, and Amarone is made only in exceptional vintages. If, after 8 years of barrel aging, a wine does not meet the extraordinarily high standards for Amarone, it is released as “Rosso del Bepi” – a simpler Veneto red wine in classification, but far from simple in taste.

The estate also produces “Amarone Riserva” in only the most exceptional years. Even the Valpolicella DOC is made from grapes dried for about 2 months, making it one of the most celebrated Valpolicellas in the world. In addition to local varieties, Quintarelli uniquely dries ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Cabernet Franc’ and ‘Merlot’ to create “Primi Fiore” and the legendary “Alzero”. The winery continues to uphold Giuseppe Quintarelli’s cherished traditions – tastings here are conducted almost as a sacred ceremony, and spittoons are not used, as every drop is treasured.

Wine Style

Giuseppe Quintarelli wines are distinguished by their concentration, aromatic depth, refined balance of sweetness and acidity, and exceptional longevity.

• Red wine – intense and complex, with notes of dried fruit, cherries, spices, cocoa, tobacco, and herbs. Firm in structure, yet retaining a silky smoothness to the tannins.
• Amarone della Valpolicella – the iconic wine, produced only in outstanding years, with unparalleled aromatic concentration and a long, lingering finish.
• Special cuvée – “Amarone Riserva”, “Rosso del Bepi”, “Alzero”, and “Primi Fiore” – each offering a unique interpretation of style and exceptional aging potential.