Brigaldara

The name Brigaldara first appears in official documents from 1260, making it one of the oldest recorded estates in the Valpolicella zone. The Cesari family acquired the property between 1928 and 1929, and it was Stefano Cesari who transformed it into a serious estate-bottling operation. The first estate wines were released in 1979, the same year the inaugural Amarone was produced. The prestige cuvée Casa Vecie Amarone followed in 1999. Stefano Cesari went on to serve as President of the Valpolicella Region Grower's Association, cementing the estate's influence in the appellation.

• Name documented in official records as far back as 1260
• Cesari family ownership established 1928-1929
• Estate bottling launched in 1979, coinciding with first Amarone production
• Casa Vecie, the flagship Amarone, introduced in 1999

Brigaldara's 47-48 planted hectares sit within its larger 120-hectare estate in the Marano Valley, a tributary valley considered part of the Valpolicella Classica heartland. Vineyards range from 150 to 250 meters above sea level with south-southwestern exposure, a positioning that delivers optimal ripening while preserving natural acidity. The soils combine clayey-sandy textures with a tuff substrate, limestone-clay tufa, and stony, high-limestone layers. This mineral-rich, well-drained foundation underpins the estate's characteristic freshness.

• 47-48 hectares under vine within a 120-hectare total property
• Elevation ranges from 150 to 250 meters above sea level
• South-southwestern exposure balances ripeness with freshness
• Soils: clayey-sandy with tuff substrate, limestone-clay tufa, and stony high-limestone layers

The estate grows the classic Valpolicella varieties: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta, and Molinara. Brigaldara's winemaking philosophy prioritizes freshness, elegance, and respect for varietal character over extraction and weight. For Amarone, shorter drying periods during the appassimento process are used deliberately to emphasize drinkability and aromatic lift rather than sheer concentration. The estate was among the first in Valpolicella to employ double wood aging for both Amarone and Recioto, an approach that adds textural complexity without sacrificing freshness.

• Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta, and Molinara grown on estate
• Appassimento grape-drying method used for Amarone and Recioto production
• Shorter drying periods than traditional Amarone producers, emphasizing freshness
• Pioneer of double wood aging technique in Valpolicella for Amarone and Recioto

Brigaldara holds Equalitas Sustainable Wine certification, achieved in 2019, and received the 2022 Gambero Rosso Sustainable Viticulture Award. The estate practices sustainable viticulture across all its vineyards, banning synthetic pesticides and chemical products. This commitment to environmental stewardship runs alongside the Cesari family's broader role in shaping the Valpolicella appellation's standards and reputation.

• Equalitas Sustainable Wine certified since 2019
• 2022 Gambero Rosso Sustainable Viticulture Award recipient
• Pesticides and synthetic products banned throughout the estate
• Stefano Cesari held leadership role as President of Valpolicella Region Grower's Association

Brigaldara produces wines across several appellations: Valpolicella Classica DOC, Valpolicella Superiore DOC, Valpolicella Ripasso, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG, and Soave DOC. Annual production stands at approximately 350,000 bottles. The range reflects the full spectrum of northeastern Italian winemaking, from lighter, fresh Valpolicella to the richly concentrated Amarone and sweet Recioto styles.

• Produces wines under Valpolicella Classica DOC, Valpolicella Superiore DOC, Amarone DOCG, Recioto DOCG, and Soave DOC
• Annual output of approximately 350,000 bottles
• Ripasso wines produced alongside the estate's core range
• Casa Vecie is the prestige Amarone label, first made in 1999