Dal Cero in Valpolicella
Dal Cero was founded in 1934 when Augusto Dal Cero purchased his first few acres. Today, the estate boasts 25 acres under vine and is known for being located on a sort of “terrace” that overlooks the city of Verona. The winery is now in its third generation. It is run by Augusto’s grandchildren, Davide, Francesca, and Nico. They oversee the fully sustainable vineyards, which feature native grapes such as Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara.
POINTS OF DIFFERENTIATION
- 100% estate-owned and estate-bottled by the Dal Cero Family, this project began with the third generation
- Located in the eastern area of the Valpolicella DOC, with limestone and volcanic (from Soave) soils, which adds heightened minerality to the wines
- Modern yet classic Italian wines with excellent freshness made from only native grapes, such as Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara
- Eco-sustainable vineyards cultivated with total respect for the land
- Wine made using traditional techniques, such as drying the grapes (apassimento) or “repassing” (ripasso) the grapes over Amarone pomace
THE HISTORY
Today, the winery is run by Dario’s children, Francesca, marketing and export manager, Nico, domestic sales and vineyard manager, and Davide, enologist and cellar manager. While at the helm, the three siblings purchased a third estate in Valpolicella, diversifying the Dal Cero range even further. Each estate – Corte Giacobbe in Soave, Dal Cero in Valpolicella, and Tenuta Montecchiesi in Cortona, Tuscany – has its own line and personality. Their great respect for local traditions, which started with Augusto, is paralleled by their commitment to crafting wines that are the perfect expression of the respective terroir. Their wines also reflect three generations of incomparable dedication and flawless expertise. The family currently cultivates 272 acres (110 hectares) on the three different estates.
THE TERROIR
These fully sustainable vineyards are located on the eastern side of the Valpolicella DOC zone and sit atop a natural “terrace” overlooking the city of Verona, 984 feet (300 meters) above sea level. The area enjoys a mild climate, thanks to its proximity to Lake Garda. Likewise, constant ventilation helps keep the soils dry.
Native grapes such as Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara are cultivated traditionally using Pergola and Guyot training methods to aid in developing aroma, flavor, structure and body, respectively. The 25-35-year-old vines especially thrive in the volcanic (thanks to its proximity to Soave) and white calcareous marl soils unique to this area.
The combination of the two soil types leads to wines of great elegance, flavor, and charm. The grapes for the Amarone are dried on special racks, which concentrate the juices before fermentation. This method is called “Apassimento.”
The Dal Cero family aims to create modern yet traditional wines that focus on freshness, elegance, and balance and as a result, the Amarone spends extra time in the cellar to achieve perfection, treated almost as if it were a Riserva, before release.
