Roberto Mazzi

Roberto Mazzi established the eponymous estate in Negrar di Valpolicella, the eastern Classico commune that is also home to Giuseppe Quintarelli and the Cantina Valpolicella Negrar (birthplace of Amarone). The Mazzi family built the estate's reputation through traditional winemaking practices, focusing on hillside fruit, manual appassimento, and Slavonian oak aging. The second generation has continued the artisan-tier focus without commercial expansion, prioritising quality and traditional method over scale. The estate has earned consistent recognition from Italian wine guides (Gambero Rosso, Slow Wine, Bibenda) for its Punta di Villa single-vineyard Amarone Riserva.

• Roberto Mazzi founded the estate in Negrar di Valpolicella, the eastern Classico commune
• Negrar context: home to Giuseppe Quintarelli and Cantina Valpolicella Negrar (birthplace of Amarone, 1936)
• Second generation continues artisan-tier focus; no commercial expansion
• Consistent recognition from Italian wine guides for Punta di Villa Amarone Riserva

Mazzi's ~14 hectares of vineyards are concentrated on the hillside slopes of Negrar di Valpolicella, with the Punta di Villa parcel as the estate's flagship cru. Soils are calcareous-dolomitic with cooler higher-altitude sites typical of Negrar; vineyards sit at 200-450 metres elevation, providing the diurnal variation and acidity retention that distinguishes the eastern Classico commune from the warmer southern San Pietro in Cariano sites. The Punta di Villa parcel features old-vine plantings with restrictive yields, producing the concentration that defines the flagship Amarone Riserva. The estate maintains plantings of Corvina Veronese (dominant), Corvinone, Rondinella, and small Molinara plantings across the hillside parcels.

• ~14 hectares hillside vineyards in Negrar di Valpolicella, eastern Classico commune
• Calcareous-dolomitic soils with cooler higher-altitude sites typical of Negrar; 200-450m elevation
• Punta di Villa parcel: flagship single-vineyard with old-vine plantings; restrictive yields
• Plantings: Corvina Veronese (dominant), Corvinone, Rondinella, small Molinara

Mazzi practices traditional Valpolicella Classico winemaking. Hand-harvested grapes are sorted and laid on bamboo arele in ventilated fruttai for appassimento drying lasting approximately 100-120 days, with grapes losing 35-40% of their weight. Fermentation begins no earlier than December 1 at cool cellar temperatures, with extended maceration for Amarone (typically 35-45 days). Aging is exclusively in Slavonian oak botti (typically 25-30 hectoliters), with no use of new French barrique. The Amarone Classico ages a minimum of 3 years before release; Punta di Villa Riserva ages 4-5 years. The house style emphasises traditional aromatic clarity, mineral lift from Negrar terroir, and structural balance.

• Hand-harvest from hillside Negrar parcels; appassimento on bamboo arele for 100-120 days
• Fermentation begins no earlier than December 1; extended maceration 35-45 days for Amarone
• Slavonian oak aging exclusively (no new French barrique); typical 25-30 hL botti
• Amarone Classico minimum 3 years aging; Punta di Villa Riserva 4-5 years before release

Punta di Villa Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Superiore Riserva DOCG is Mazzi's flagship bottling, named after the single-vineyard hillside parcel in Negrar. The wine shows concentrated dried cherry, dried plum, fig, tobacco, leather, and warm spice on a structured palate balanced by Corvina acidity and 15-16% ABV. Production is limited (typically 5,000-8,000 bottles annually) and the wine has earned consistent Tre Bicchieri or equivalent recognition from Italian wine guides. The Sanperetto Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC provides the estate's entry-tier expression. The Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore showcases Mazzi's traditional re-fermentation approach. Library wines from older vintages occasionally appear at specialty wine merchants, sought by Italian wine collectors for their longevity (15-20+ years cellaring potential).

• Punta di Villa Amarone Classico Superiore Riserva DOCG: flagship single-vineyard cru; concentrated 15-16% ABV; 4-5 years Slavonian oak
• Sanperetto Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC: entry-tier estate bottling showing traditional Negrar hillside character
• Mazzi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC: traditional re-fermentation approach on Amarone pomace
• Library wines from older vintages: 15-20+ years cellaring potential; sought by Italian collectors

Mazzi's house style emphasises traditional aromatic clarity, mineral lift, and structural balance — the hallmark of quality Negrar Classico production. Punta di Villa shows concentration and 15-20+ years cellaring potential; Sanperetto and Ripasso provide more approachable expressions of the same hillside fruit. The estate welcomes visitors by appointment for cellar tours and tastings, with the autumn appassimento period (October-January) offering the most evocative experience. Mazzi's wines are distributed through specialty importers in the US, UK, Germany, and Asian markets, with limited supply reflecting the artisan-tier scale. Among Valpolicella collectors, Mazzi represents the traditional Negrar alternative to Quintarelli at a more accessible price tier while maintaining comparable craftsmanship.

• House style: traditional aromatic clarity, mineral lift, structural balance — hallmark of Negrar Classico
• Punta di Villa: concentration and 15-20+ years cellaring potential
• Visits by appointment; autumn appassimento period (October-January) most evocative experience
• Distributed via specialty importers in US, UK, Germany, Asian markets; limited supply reflects artisan scale