The Allegrini family estate comprises 120 hectares of vineyard in the heart of Valpolicella Classico. Although the family has grown grapes here for several centuries, Giovanni Allegrini was the first to start bottling wines from the family’s vineyards. When he died in 1983, he passed his passion and commitment to quality winemaking onto his three children, Walter, Marilisa and Franco. Together they worked to build on Giovanni’s quality ethos until Walter’s death in 2003. Franco looked after the vineyards and winemaking, while Marilisa continued to manage sales and marketing. From the 2007 vintage, Franco sacrificed the Valpolicella Classico classification by bottling the Allegrini wines under Stelvin to eliminate cork taint and reduce oxidation problems. Franco sadly passed away in 2022. He was an inspiring figure who led the way in Valpolicella’s quest for quality, forging a path many others have followed.
In 2018, Allegrini purchased 40 hectares of land in the municipality of Pozzolengo, after years of scouting the Lugana area around Lake Garda. They created a Lugana defined by lively acidity, which balances the natural richness of the Turbiana grape. The resulting wine is stylish and elegant, defined by classic floral aromas and hints of almonds. The Valpolicella has a lovely intensity of red cherry fruit, lifted perfumes and a ripe yet zesty character on the palate. ‘La Grola’, sleek and beguiling, sets the standard by which all other wines from Valpolicella are judged. The ‘Palazzo della Torre’, a ‘baby Amarone’ produced by Allegrini’s modern approach to the ripasso method, is plush and rounded. Their Amarone is outstanding, offering an expression that is intense yet balanced. The ‘Giovanni Allegrini’ Recioto Classico, named after the winery's famous founder, is bursting with fruit and notes of cherry, intertwined with pepper and thyme.
The grapes for this wine come from 50 hectares vineyards in the municipality of Pozzolengo, to the south of the Lugana denomination, at an altitude of 100 metres above sea level. From the slopes of this medieval village, the Guyot-trained south-west facing vineyards stretch out as far as the small lake “Mantellina” that lends its name to the wine and to a protected unspoilt area populated by rare animal species (the “Oasis”). Here the clays become sandier and contain considerable gravely elements. These unique clays leave an unmistakable imprint on the Turbiana grapes, enhancing the refreshing acidity of this grape variety.
On the nose, the wine shows ripe white fruit complemented by delicate fresh floral notes mixed with hints of almond. The rich palate is balanced by acidity, providing a complex supple mouthfeel.
