Giuseppe Quintarelli
The benchmark Amarone producer, Giuseppe Quintarelli set the standard for Valpolicella through meticulous appassimento, extended cask aging and uncompromising release decisions.
About Giuseppe
Azienda Agricola Giuseppe Quintarelli is the most revered name in Valpolicella, regarded as the maestro of Amarone. The estate was founded in 1924 by Silvio Quintarelli at Cerè di Negrar, in the heart of Valpolicella Classica. His son Giuseppe, known as 'Bepi' (1927-2012), took over in the early 1950s and spent six decades turning it into the region's benchmark, defined by meticulous appassimento (drying of the grapes), very long aging in large Slavonian oak casks, and a refusal to release wines in vintages he judged unworthy. The wines, led by Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella, draw on the traditional regional blend including Corvina and are made in tiny quantities, roughly 60,000 bottles a year from around twelve hectares. After Giuseppe's death in January 2012 the estate has remained in family hands under his daughter Fiorenza, son-in-law Giampaolo Grigoli and grandsons Lorenzo and Francesco. Quintarelli bottles are scarce, long-lived and intensely collectible.
Flagship wines
- Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
- Recioto della Valpolicella Classico
- Alzero (Cabernet, appassimento)
Editorial notes
Production is tiny and bottles are allocation-driven and expensive; buy from trusted merchants for provenance. Both the dry Amarone (red-still) and the sweet Recioto (passito method) reward long cellaring.