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Speri Viticoltori

How to pronounce

Speri Viticoltori is a family-owned estate founded in 1874 in the Valpolicella Classica subzone of Veneto, Italy. Now in its seventh generation, the estate farms 60 hectares of certified organic vineyards and produces exclusively DOC and DOCG wines from its own fruit.

Key Facts
  • Founded in 1874 by Carlo Speri; now managed by the seventh generation of the family
  • Located in the Valpolicella Classica subzone, Veneto, with vineyards at 120-350 meters elevation
  • 60 hectares farmed exclusively from estate-owned vineyards; 100% organic certified since 2015
  • One of the first producers to commercialize Amarone della Valpolicella, with first commercial vintage in the second half of the 1950s
  • Pioneer in single-vineyard (Cru) wines in the 1970s; key site is Monte Sant'Urbano
  • Does not produce Amarone in unfavorable vintages
  • Carlo Speri served as president of the Valpolicella Wine Consortium from 1984 to 1993

📜History and Heritage

Speri Viticoltori was founded in 1874 by Carlo Speri in the Valpolicella Classica subzone of the Veneto. The estate counts among the earliest producers to bring Amarone della Valpolicella to market commercially, with its first commercial Amarone vintage released in the second half of the 1950s. In the 1970s, Speri pioneered the concept of single-vineyard wines in Valpolicella, a forward-thinking approach that elevated the region's identity. Carlo Speri reinforced the estate's central role in the appellation by serving as president of the Valpolicella Wine Consortium from 1984 to 1993.

  • Founded 1874 by Carlo Speri; one of the oldest continuously operating estates in Valpolicella
  • Among the first to commercialize Amarone, with first commercial vintage in the late 1950s
  • Pioneered Cru (single-vineyard) bottlings in the 1970s
  • Carlo Speri led the Valpolicella Wine Consortium for nearly a decade (1984-1993)

🌿Vineyards and Viticulture

Speri farms 60 hectares of vineyards entirely within the Valpolicella Classica subzone, sourcing all fruit exclusively from its own holdings. Vineyards range from 120 to 350 meters above sea level, benefiting from a mild climate sheltered by mountains and moderated by the influence of Lake Garda. Soils are a mix of igneous and calcareous types. The estate introduced the open inclined pergoletta training system and achieved organic certification in 2015, making it one of the pioneers of organic viticulture in Valpolicella. The flagship vineyard is Monte Sant'Urbano.

  • 60 hectares of estate-owned vineyards at 120-350 meters elevation
  • Igneous and calcareous soils; mild climate moderated by Lake Garda
  • Organic certified since 2015; pioneer of organic viticulture in Valpolicella
  • Introduced the open inclined pergoletta vine training system
  • Monte Sant'Urbano is the key single-vineyard site
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🍇Grape Varieties

Speri grows the full range of traditional Valpolicella grape varieties across its estate vineyards. Corvina and Corvinone form the backbone of the blends, as required by appellation rules. Rondinella and Molinara provide supporting roles, while rarer indigenous varieties including Cabrosina, Pelara, Oseleta, and Rossanella are also cultivated, reflecting the estate's commitment to preserving local viticultural heritage.

  • Corvina and Corvinone are the primary varieties in all blends
  • Rondinella and Molinara serve as traditional supporting varieties
  • Rarer indigenous grapes include Cabrosina, Pelara, Oseleta, and Rossanella
  • All varieties grown within the estate's own 60 hectares
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🏆Wines and Style

Speri produces five classic wine styles, all under DOC or DOCG status: Amarone della Valpolicella, Valpolicella Classico, Valpolicella Ripasso, Recioto della Valpolicella, and Valpolicella Superiore. The estate focuses exclusively on the wines of the Valpolicella zone and does not produce Amarone in vintages considered unfavorable, a quality-driven decision that underscores its standards. The Monte Sant'Urbano vineyard is the source of the estate's prestige Amarone bottling.

  • Produces Amarone, Valpolicella Classico, Ripasso, Recioto, and Valpolicella Superiore
  • All wines hold DOC or DOCG status
  • Amarone is not produced in unfavorable vintages
  • Monte Sant'Urbano is the single-vineyard Cru for the flagship Amarone
Flavor Profile

Speri's wines reflect the classic Valpolicella character: Amarone shows concentrated dried cherry, dark plum, chocolate, and spice with firm structure; Valpolicella Classico offers fresh red fruit and light body; Ripasso bridges the two styles with added richness and dried fruit complexity; Recioto delivers sweet, velvety dark fruit with balanced acidity.

Food Pairings
Braised beef short ribs with Amarone della ValpolicellaAged Parmigiano-Reggiano with Valpolicella RipassoWild boar ragu with Valpolicella SuperioreDark chocolate desserts with Recioto della ValpolicellaGrilled lamb chops with Amarone Monte Sant'UrbanoMushroom risotto with Valpolicella Classico
Wines to Try
  • Speri Valpolicella Classico$15-20
    Fresh, approachable entry point to Speri's estate fruit from the Classica subzone.Find →
  • Speri Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore$25-35
    Ripasso technique adds dried fruit complexity while retaining classic Valpolicella structure.Find →
  • Speri Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Monte Sant'Urbano$80-110
    Single-vineyard flagship Amarone from the estate's pioneering Cru site, only made in top vintages.Find →
  • Speri Recioto della Valpolicella Classico$35-50
    Sweet appassimento-style wine showcasing indigenous varieties from certified organic vineyards.Find →
How to Say It
Speri ViticoltoriSPARE-ee vee-tee-col-TOE-ree
Valpolicellaval-po-lee-CHEL-la
Amaroneah-mah-ROH-neh
Reciotoreh-CHOH-toh
Corvina Veronesecor-VEE-nah
Ripassoree-PAS-so
Oseletaoh-zeh-LEH-tah
📝Exam Study NotesWSET / CMS
  • Speri is located in the Valpolicella Classica subzone of Veneto; all wines are DOC or DOCG
  • Founded 1874; first commercial Amarone vintage released in the second half of the 1950s, making it one of Amarone's earliest producers
  • Estate achieved organic certification in 2015 across all 60 hectares of owned vineyards
  • Speri does not produce Amarone in unfavorable vintages, a notable quality policy
  • Pioneered single-vineyard (Cru) wines in Valpolicella in the 1970s; Monte Sant'Urbano is the key Cru site