This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)

Santa Sofia is a prestigious historical brand born in 1811. It is based in Pedemonte, a hamlet of San Pietro in Cariano, in the Valpolicella Classica area, and in the only Villa of Andrea Palladio near Verona.

The origins of Villa Santa Sofia date back to 1560, when the nobleman Marcantonio Serego sought the true genius of the architect Andrea Palladio.

Its oenological tradition has got even more remote origins: the cellars date back to three different historical periods, the oldest of which goes back to 1300 – thanks to the monks of the church of Santa Sofia, where today large Slavonia oak barrels are stored with precious mature Amarone, Valpolicella Superiore Montegradella, and Valpolicella Ripasso.

Underneath the Palladian villa, there are cellars dating back to the XVI century; there, Santa Sofia stores 50-gallon Allier oak barriques for maturation of Amarone Gioè Reserve, Arlèo, Predaia, and Recioto della Valpolicella.

The most recent cellars date back to 1700, and today house the steel tanks for the ageing of the youngest and freshest wines. The vineyards extend over 94 acres.

Since 1967, the company has been owned by the Begnoni family, which takes care of both the agronomic part and the very vinification process. This family has recently bought some new vineyards in Briago, Valpantena.

The red wines of Santa Sofia are harmonious and feature great structure. The drying of the Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone grapes takes at least 100 days.

In Santa Sofia, you can breathe history, in the garden of the villa, walking among the centuries-old trees and the water games designed by the landscape architect – at the same time, visitors can enjoy some great wines, surrounded by the sheer elegance and aristocratic heritage of that place.

The best wines produced by Santa Sofia are undoubtedly Amarone della Valpolicella, Valpolicella Superiore Montegradella, Valpolicella Ripasso, Arlèo, Predaia, and Recioto della Valpolicella.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)