In the heart of the medieval village of Soave at the foot of Scaliger Castle, Cantina del Castello has produced Soave Classico in the 13th-century Palazzo dei Conti Sambonifacio since the 1960s.
Tip: Ask for the Pressoni single-vineyard cru - the volcanic basalt terroir character is distinctive and shows what separates Soave Classico from the broader DOC.
Address: Vicolo Corte Pittora 5, 37038 Soave (VR), Italy, Veneto
Bertani's renewed historic tasting spaces preserve 45 vintages of Amarone della Valpolicella Classico alongside new contemporary design elements.
Tip: The Library Experience walks 45 Amarone vintages from 1958 onward. Plan three hours.
Celestino Gaspari's Zyme winery is carved into a 15th-century sandstone quarry. The tasting room inside the quarry maintains constant temperature and presents 6+ Zyme wines including single-vineyard Valpolicella, Ripasso, Amarone, and blended IGT expressions. Highly rated; book one week ahead.
Tip: The Kairos blend (15 grape varieties) is Gaspari's philosophical statement about Valpolicella terroir - the most unusual pour in the tasting.
Opened 2025, Monteleone21 is Masi's new 'open cellar' paradigm in Valpolicella Classica. The Wine Bar 'Vino e Cucina' is walk-in accessible.
Tip: Arrive before 11:00 for structured tours; the Wine Bar opens at 12:00 for informal tastings with food pairings.
The official Consorzio Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG tasting centre at the 18th-century Villa Brandolini in Solighetto. Best reference for understanding the appellation - Rive single-vineyard Proseccos, Cartizze DOCG, and Colfondo styles represented. Contact the consortium office at [email protected].
Tip: Ask specifically for a Rive horizontal tasting - comparing three single-vineyard Proseccos from different communes reveals the terroir variation most clearly.
Boutique winery in Marano di Valpolicella with a 17th-century cellar used for wine refinement. Tasting room accessible via the Bike Station Valpolicella e-bike experience or standalone by appointment.
Tip: The 17th-century stone cellar maintains ideal ageing conditions for the Amarone - ask to see the oldest barrels in the back room during the tasting.
The walk-in tasting bar and retail space at the Poli Grappa Museum, daily 9:00-19:30. The EUR3.50 guided tasting pours five different Poli grappas covering white, flavoured; aged expressions.
Tip: The Sarpa di Poli (Prosecco pomace grappa) and the Amorosa (Moscato pomace) show the range of Veneto grape-spirit character at low cost.
