Tedeschi

Tedeschi is a family-owned winery with deep roots in Pedemonte, located in the heart of Valpolicella Classica in northeastern Italy's Veneto region. The family's connection to the land is documented to 1630, when their name first appeared in local records. The company was formally founded in 1824 by Nicolò Tedeschi, and the estate has remained continuously family-operated ever since. The modern era of Tedeschi was shaped by Lorenzo Tedeschi, who made the pivotal decision in the early 1960s to vinify the grapes from the Monte Olmi vineyard separately, creating one of the very first single-vineyard cru wines in Valpolicella. Today, Lorenzo's three children, Antonietta, Sabrina, and Riccardo, carry the winery forward with a focus on sustainability, terroir research, and innovation.

• Location: Pedemonte, Valpolicella Classica, Veneto; formal address Via G. Verdi 4/A, 37029 Pedemonte di Valpolicella
• Family origins documented to 1630; company formally founded in 1824 by Nicolò Tedeschi
• Current management: Antonietta (domestic markets), Sabrina (international markets), Riccardo (winemaker); children of Lorenzo Tedeschi
• Monte Olmi vineyard acquired in 1918; first vinified as a separate single-vineyard Amarone cru in 1964 by Lorenzo Tedeschi

Tedeschi represents a critical link between Valpolicella's ancient appassimento traditions and contemporary terroir-driven quality winemaking. When Lorenzo Tedeschi decided in 1964 to bottle the Monte Olmi vineyard as a standalone wine and place the vineyard name on the label, it was a groundbreaking act of transparency that helped reframe how the entire region's wines were understood. The estate's commitment to exclusively sourcing from hillside vineyards, where shallow calcareous soils, continuous ventilation, and wide temperature ranges concentrate aromatic complexity, has remained constant across generations. Tedeschi is also a founding member of Le Famiglie Storiche, the association formed in June 2009 by ten historic Valpolicella producers to promote and safeguard Amarone's identity. Sabrina Tedeschi previously served as president of the association, reflecting the family's central role in the region.

• Pioneered the single-vineyard cru concept in Valpolicella: Monte Olmi Amarone first produced as a labeled cru in 1964
• Exclusively uses hillside vineyard sources; shallow calcareous soils and wide diurnal ranges are central to the house style
• Founding member of Le Famiglie Storiche (June 2009); Sabrina Tedeschi served as the association's president
• Ongoing viticultural research partnership with the University of Verona on soil zoning and geotyping of grape varieties

Tedeschi's total estate covers approximately 245 acres, with around 120 acres under vine across four distinct vineyard sites. Monte Olmi, the flagship, is a 2.5-hectare southwest-facing site in the heart of Valpolicella Classica at Pedemonte, planted on terraced red clay and calcareous morainal soils. La Fabriseria, planted in 2000, covers 7 hectares in Le Pontare (between Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella and Fumane) at an elevation of approximately 450 meters, with soils of pink calcareous and marly rock combined with calcarenite and shale. Tenuta Maternigo, acquired in 2006, is a larger property of 84 hectares between Tregnago and Mezzane di Sotto in the Valpolicella DOC zone, with 31 hectares under vine on southeast and southwest-facing slopes at 200 to 450 meters elevation. The Lucchine vineyard lies at the foot of the Pedemonte hills and provides fruit for the estate's fresh, everyday Valpolicella.

• Monte Olmi: 2.5 hectares, southwest exposure, Pedemonte; red clay and calcareous morainal soils on dry-stone terraces; acquired 1918
• La Fabriseria: 7 hectares in Le Pontare at approximately 450 meters; planted 2000; calcareous marly soils with calcarenite and shale
• Tenuta Maternigo: 84 hectares (31 under vine) between Tregnago and Mezzane di Sotto; 200-450 meters; southeast and southwest exposures; acquired 2006
• Primary varieties: Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella; minor varieties include Oseleta, Negrara, Dindarella, Rossignola, Forselina

Tedeschi employs controlled appassimento for all their Amarone and Recioto wines, drying harvested grapes for approximately four months in a state-of-the-art fruttaio completed in July 2007, equipped to regulate temperature, humidity, and ventilation. Grapes are harvested at the end of September and beginning of October, placed in wooden or plastic trays, and dried to concentrate sugars and polyphenols while preventing botrytis. For Amarone, pressing occurs in January once drying is complete, followed by fermentation and extended maceration that can last 40-60 days for certain cuvées. The Capitel Monte Olmi Riserva is aged for four years in Slavonian oak barrels, followed by 12 additional months of bottle aging. The Marne 180 Amarone sees three years of Slavonian oak aging and six months in bottle. The Capitel San Rocco Ripasso uses the traditional method of refermentation on Amarone and Recioto pomace, then ages approximately 15 months in Slavonian oak and six months in bottle.

• Appassimento: approximately 4 months in controlled fruttaio completed July 2007; wooden or plastic trays prevent botrytis
• Amarone fermentation and maceration: 40-60 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks
• Capitel Monte Olmi Riserva: 4 years Slavonian oak + 12 months bottle aging; Marne 180: 3 years Slavonian oak + 6 months bottle
• Capitel San Rocco Ripasso: refermentation on Amarone and Recioto marc; approximately 15 months Slavonian oak + 6 months bottle

The estate's most celebrated wine is the Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Capitel Monte Olmi, vinified as a single-vineyard cru since 1964 and composed of 30% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 30% Rondinella, and 10% heritage varieties including Oseleta, Negrara, Dindarella, Croatina, and Forselina. The wine receives scores of 93-96 points from critics including Vinous, Falstaff, and TerroirSense. Beyond Monte Olmi, the estate produces three additional Amarone crus, La Fabriseria and Maternigo, plus the Marne 180 Amarone sourced from multiple hillside vineyards. Named for the marl-rich soils and the 180-degree south-southwest to south-southeast vineyard exposure, the Marne 180 is blended from 35% Corvina, 35% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, and 10% heritage varieties. The Capitel San Rocco Ripasso has been produced since 1976. The estate also makes the Capitel Nicalò Valpolicella Superiore, the Lucchine Valpolicella DOC, a Recioto della Valpolicella, and a Soave Classico Capitel Tenda from 100% Garganega.

• Capitel Monte Olmi Amarone Riserva: 30/30/30 Corvina/Corvinone/Rondinella + 10% heritage; 4 years Slavonian oak + 12 months bottle; 93-96 critic points
• Marne 180 Amarone: multi-vineyard blend (35% Corvina, 35% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, 10% heritage); 3 years Slavonian oak + 6 months bottle
• Capitel San Rocco Ripasso: from Marne Bianche vineyard at Tenuta Maternigo; in production since 1976; approximately 15 months Slavonian oak
• Full range includes five Amarone expressions, Ripasso, Valpolicella Superiore, Valpolicella DOC, Recioto, and Soave Classico

Tedeschi occupies a well-defined position in Valpolicella's quality hierarchy as a serious family producer with international recognition. Annual production of approximately 41,500 cases across 13 wines places the estate in the premium mid-sized tier, large enough to supply major markets yet focused on meticulous vineyard management. The Capitel Monte Olmi Riserva averages around $113 per bottle (per Wine-Searcher) and consistently receives critical acclaim. The estate distributes to major wine markets worldwide and maintains a wine archive open to collectors, professionals in haute cuisine, and serious wine lovers. Tedeschi was one of the founding 10 members when Le Famiglie Storiche was formed in June 2009, and the association has since grown to 13 members. Sabrina Tedeschi previously served as president of Le Famiglie Storiche before handing the presidency to Alberto Zenato, reflecting the family's leadership role in the region.

• Annual production: approximately 41,500 cases across 13 distinct wines including five Amarones
• Capitel Monte Olmi Riserva: average retail price approximately $113 per bottle (Wine-Searcher); 93-96 point scores from major critics
• Founding member of Le Famiglie Storiche (June 2009); Sabrina Tedeschi served as the association's president
• Wine archive maintained at the estate and open to collectors, haute cuisine professionals, and wine enthusiasts