Amarone della Valpolicella DOCGCorvina, Rondinella, CorvinoneFounded 1811Begnoni familyWinemaker Begnoni familyValpolicella Classico
Operating from the 16th-century Villa Santa Sofia in Pedemonte, this producer has been bottling Valpolicella wines since 1811. The Begnoni family combination of history and good-value Amarone attracts steady wine tourism.
Tasting: Villa Santa Sofia open for visits and tastings; the historic loggia attributed to Palladio is part of the tour.
Signature wines: santa-sofia-amarone-classico, santa-sofia-valpolicella-classico
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCGCorvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, OseletaFounded 1969Valentina CubiWinemaker Valentina CubiORGANIC CERTIFIEDValpolicella Classico
Valentina Cubi's certified organic estate on the Fumane hillsides produces small-production Amarone and Valpolicella with a focus on indigenous varieties and minimal intervention in both vineyard and cellar.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the Fumane estate.
Signature wines: valentina-cubi-amarone-morar, valentina-cubi-valpolicella-classico
Lugana DOCTurbianaFounded 1980Montresor familyWinemaker Montresor familyLugana
Montresor family estate at Peschiera del Garda specialising exclusively in Lugana DOC from the Turbiana grape. The Molceo Riserva aged on lees for over a year is among the most complex Lugana bottlings.
Tasting: Tasting visits at the Peschiera del Garda estate; Lugana DOC range.
Signature wines: ottella-lugana, ottella-molceo-lugana-riserva
Bianco di Custoza DOCGarganega, Trebbiano Toscano, Cortese, Cabernet Sauvignon, MerlotFounded 1980Piccoli familyWinemaker Piccoli familyCustoza
The Piccoli family estate at Valeggio sul Mincio on the morainic rim of Lake Garda produces a fresh, saline Bianco di Custoza DOC alongside an interesting Garda Cabernet from south-shore hillside vineyards.
Tasting: Tasting visits at the Valeggio sul Mincio estate; bookable online.
Signature wines: corte-gardoni-bianco-di-custoza, corte-gardoni-le-fontane-garda-cabernet
Bianco di Custoza DOCGarganega, Trebbiano Toscano, CorteseFounded 1958Cooperative of local growersWinemaker Cooperative winemaking teamCustoza
The Custoza cooperative founded in 1958 is the largest producer in the Bianco di Custoza DOC appellation. High-volume accessible wines from morainic soils at good prices; the walk-in shop is a tourist draw on the Garda circuit.
Tasting: Public shop and tasting room at Custoza; walk-in welcome.
Signature wines: cantina-custoza-bianco-di-custoza
Bardolino Superiore DOCGCorvina, Rondinella, Molinara, GarganegaFounded 1889Campagnola familyWinemaker Campagnola familyBardolino
Founded in 1889 at the Lake Garda waterfront in Bardolino, Cantine Campagnola is one of the appellation's oldest estates producing light, food-friendly Bardolino Superiore DOCG and a range of Valpolicella.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Bardolino cellar; daily opening.
Signature wines: campagnola-bardolino-classico, campagnola-valpolicella-classico