Bertani
Bertani’s impact on Veneto wine making, particularly in Amarone production, is so considerable that ‘Bertani’ and ‘Amarone’ are nearly synonymous. Their 150+ year history is dotted with groundbreaking initiatives and royal accreditation. While respectful of their past, Bertani strives towards innovation, using progressive techniques and equipment allied with extensive experience and a deeply felt respect for tradition to provide wines of uncompromising quality.
HISTORY
Bertani was founded in 1857 by brothers Gaetano and Giovan Battista Bertani. Prosperous wine merchants who believed quality winemaking held the key to the future, the Bertanis invested in some of the finest vineyards in the province. Recognition and success followed swiftly as Bertani became one of the first Veronese producers to export its wines on a significant scale.
In 1870, Bertani spearheaded a campaign to underscore the potential of Verona's Valpolicella Valpantena wine district. The release of its Secco-Bertani Valpantena brand, still in production 150+ years later, is responsible for putting this DOC on the map. The late 1950s saw Bertani take center stage again with the launch of a new style of Recioto della Valpolicella. Introducing longer aging techniques, this traditionally sweet or sparkling red wine was dramatically transformed into the dry, opulent red we know today as Amarone, one of Italy's most revered red wines.
TERROIR
Bertani was founded in Grezzana, a province in the Valpantena DOC, north-east of Verona. Here the company headquarters remain, including the estate’s historic vineyards and cellars that are still in use. The Valpantena valley is covered with marble-calcareous soil containing large quantities of iron, which impart unique, spicy mineral flavors in the grapes. The particular characteristics of the soil have allowed the wines to be labeled officially a CRU status within the Valpolicella DOC; the only one among the seven valleys of Valpolicella.
In the 1950s Bertani acquired Tenuta Novare, an estate covering 220 ha in Valpolicella Classico. It is here where they developed the appassimento method used to make Amarone. Bertani also owns vineyards in Soave and in areas near Lake Garda.
PEOPLE
As part of Angelini Wines & Estates, Bertani enjoys the combined resources and winemaking expertise of its parent company, while maintaining their own stylistic for the wines. Pietro Riccobono is lead winemaker.
Angelini Wines & Estates was founded in January 2014, encompassing distinctive wineries across Italy.
