Caseificio Dalla Valentina
Dairy in Velo Veronese run by the Dalla Valentina family since 1957, with a shop. A Slow Food presidium maker of Monte Veronese di malga; also makes Grana Padano.
About Monte Veronese di malga
The alpine-pasture version of Monte Veronese d'allevo, made only from the milk of cows grazing the pastures from May to October, per the consortium. A Slow Food presidium brought together the dairies and mountain huts willing to make it, and the wheels carry an M branded on the heel beside the DOP mark. Slow Food notes that over a hundred malghe once worked the Lessini and that the presidium exists so the huts and the mountain ecosystem are not lost. The consortium gives Monte Veronese wheels of 25 to 35 cm across and 6 to 10 kg, and Slow Food puts the average at 6 to 9 kg.
Made in: Lessini mountains and Monte Baldo, province of Verona
On the plate
The consortium describes the scent of melted butter, hay and aromatic herbs such as sage, and a flavour of melted butter and hazelnuts that turns slightly spicy with age. The paste firms up at three months and becomes hard and slightly granular with long ageing; rind and paste are an intense yellow, with eyes absent or sparse.
Rind: natural crust
Wine and cheese
What to pour with Monte Veronese di malga
Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Valpolicella
Our pickMonte Veronese di malga, aged long, turns hard and slightly granular with butter, hazelnut and a spicy edge. A Riserva Amarone, dry, full and seasoned by years of ageing, matches that depth, and the cheese's fat softens the wine's structure.
4.9
Cà la Bionda Riserva Ravazzòl Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
Cà la Bionda
4.8
Le Ragose Marta Galli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva
Le Ragose
4.8
Masi Riserva Costasera Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva
Masi Agricola
4.8
Novaia Le Balze Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva
Novaia
Oak-aged Veronese IGT red Valpolicella
Our pickMonte Veronese di malga aged past six months turns hard and slightly granular, with butter, hazelnut and a spicy edge. Full-bodied Veronese IGT reds raised in oak have the weight to meet it, and the cheese's fat softens their tannin.
The grapes behind these winesCorvinaCabernet Sauvignon
From the source
Where to buy and taste it
Cheese experiences nearby
Festa Storica del Formaggio Monte Veronese, Erbezzo
Annual cheese festival at Erbezzo run by the Monte Veronese consortium with the commune and Pro Loco, where producers sell and present their cheese. The 34th edition was held on 31 May 2026.
Moonlight Lessinia, full-moon walks with a Monte Veronese dinner
Guided full-moon walks in the Lessinia park, each ending in a tasting dinner with Monte Veronese DOP and Verona wines. The 25 October 2026 opening night goes to Passo Malera and pours Musella wines.
Musella cellar visit with Monte Veronese tasting
A winery visit for small groups with an explanation of the winemaking, followed by its wines served with Monte Veronese of different ageing, bread and breadsticks, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Nicolis tasting with long-aged Lessinia cheeses
Tours at the Nicolis winery in San Pietro in Cariano whose tastings come with long-aged Lessinia cheeses: Classic (four wines), Gold (five wines) or Luxury, a vertical of five vintages for groups of 4 to 12 booked two working days ahead.
Monte Veronese di malga: questions
How can I recognise Monte Veronese di malga?
By the letter M branded on the heel of the wheel next to the DOP mark, according to Slow Food.
When is the milk collected?
The consortium says the milk comes only from cows on alpine pasture between May and October.
Which dairies make it?
Slow Food's presidium lists La Casara in Roncà, Caseificio Achille (Dalla Valentina) in Velo Veronese, Caseificio Artigiano Dario Gugole in San Giovanni Ilarione and Caseificio Gardoni in Roverè Veronese. Dalla Valentina, in the Lessinia hills north of Valpolicella, has a shop open to visitors.
When was Monte Veronese first protected?
Italy recognised Monte Veronese as a denominazione di origine by a decree of the President of the Council of Ministers of 9 April 1993 (Gazzetta Ufficiale no. 196, 21 August 1993), and the EU registered it as a DOP in 1996.
Same cheeseboard
More cheeses from Valpolicella
Plan the trip
Visit Monte Veronese di malga country
Tastings and tours where it is made, and somewhere to stay.
Valpolicella
Valpolicella Classica: Visit and tasting at Corte Borghetti
All 82 experiences in ValpolicellaBooking links go to our partners (GetYourGuide, Viator, Zen Hotels), who may pay us a commission. It never decides what we cover. Editorial standards.
Sources: protection register, www.fondazioneslowfood.com, www.monteveronese.it. The drawing is made from the cheese's recorded shape, rind and paste, not a photograph.