Tenuta Santa Maria is a private estate of the Bertani family. Located in the Arbizzano frazione of Negrar, one of the most highly regarded terroirs of the Valpolicella Classica, the 16th century Villa Mosconi Bertani and its vineyards are intertwined with the history of the regions' most famous wine - Amarone. The great grandfather of today's proprietor, Gaetano Bertani, along with his brother Giovan Battista, founded the estate in 1857. The family was responsbile for the introduction of the term 'Amarone', coined in 1936 within the very cellars of the villa complex in reference to a wine the Bertani family had been producing since the early 1900s under the name 'Recioto Secco'. The estate, along with the Colognola ai Colli property in the Val d'illasi to the east, were retained post 2013 when the Gruppo Bertani was sold. Giovanni & Guglielmo, work to express the quality of this land by combining traditional methods, selected technology, and experience passed down through generations of family tradition. The vineyards are in organic conversion.
Tenuta Santa Maria Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Classico Superiore 2021
15% abv
With notes reminiscent of the Amarone, intense hints of cherry, blueberry, licorice and lingering accents of cinnamon and pepper. Soft and warm, structured velvet tannins and a very balanced acidity. Long finish with entwined dark, ripe fresh and dried red fruits.
This Valpolicella is obtained with the use of traditional vinification techniques that give a unique and recognizable character. It represents the full expression of the Veronese wine growing and enological traditions in accordance with the more than a century-old family tradition. Corvina 75%, Rondinella 10%, Corvinone 15%. Around the middle of October and following the Amarone harvest, the grape clusters are hand-selected at the historic Arbizzano di Negrar estate, in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica zone. The grapes are crushed, cold-pressed and left to ferment for 25-30 days at a controlled temperature with daily punch downs. When fermentation is complete, the wine is held in steel tanks awaiting the end of the Amarone fermentation in late January to mid-February & the later Rectioto ferment. The ripasso process involves a second maceration and fermentation over the pomace from the Amarone, in which the wine acquires a complexity given by the typical aromas of dried grapes and an enhanced superior structure and elegance. Since the 2021 vintage a portion (around 30% ) has also undergone a macerative and slight referment over the Recioto pomace adding a plumper profile to underpin the lengthy aromatics.
The wine then ages in oak barrels where malolactic fermentation takes place. After a period of 2 years of ageing in large oak barrels, 30hl and 50hl, average 15 years old, the wine is placed in bottles for at least six months’ further refinement.
- Reference #:
- 24137
- Strength
- 15 ABV
- Bottles per Case
- 6 bottles
- Grapes
- Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella
- Organic
- No
- Biodynamic
- No
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
- Sparkling
- No

