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. The cellar is open Mon-Fri 8:00-18:30 and Sat 10:00-17:00 for tastings and retail.
Tip: Ask for the Pressoni single-vineyard cru - the volcanic basalt terroir character is unmistakable 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. The Library Experience (EUR200) accesses back-vintages from 1958; the standard Valpolicella experience (EUR70) covers current and recent releases. Book via bertani.net/esperienze.
Tip: The Library Experience is among the most significant Amarone vertical tastings available anywhere in Italy - plan 3 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. Structured tours include the fruttaio appassimento loft, Possessioni Serego Alighieri cellars, and hillside vineyards. Most complete public-access Amarone production experience in the region.
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 info@coneglianovaldobbiadene.it.
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. Produces Valpolicella Classico, Ripasso, and Amarone from estate vineyards in the Marano sub-zone.
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, and aged expressions. The adjacent museum with 1,500+ miniature bottles is free to visit without tasting.
Tip: The Sarpa di Poli (Prosecco pomace grappa) and the Amorosa (Moscato pomace) show the range of Veneto grape-spirit character at low cost.
