Tommasi

Giacomo Tommasi acquired his first hillside vineyards in Pedemonte di Valpolicella in 1902, establishing what would become one of Valpolicella's defining family producers across four generations. The estate grew steadily through the 20th century, with Giacomo's sons expanding both vineyard holdings and production capacity in the post-war decades. The third generation (Giancarlo, Pier Angelo, Stefano, and Dario Tommasi) brought the estate to international prominence from the 1980s onward, focusing on quality Amarone production and acquiring hillside crus across the Classico zone. Today the fourth generation continues with several family members in operational roles. Tommasi joined Le Famiglie Storiche dell'Amarone Valpolicella, the 13-member historic-families association, at the group's founding, signaling its commitment to traditional Valpolicella practices: hillside viticulture, manual appassimento drying, large Slavonian oak aging, and resistance to commercial shortcuts.

• Founded 1902 by Giacomo Tommasi in Pedemonte di Valpolicella; initial acquisition of hillside vineyards in the heart of Valpolicella Classico
• Third generation (1980s-2000s): Giancarlo, Pier Angelo, Stefano, Dario Tommasi expanded vineyard holdings and brought estate to international prominence
• Fourth generation in operational roles today; family ownership maintained across four generations spanning 120+ years
• Founding member of Le Famiglie Storiche dell'Amarone Valpolicella (13-member historic-families association)

Tommasi's Valpolicella core covers approximately 195 hectares concentrated in the Classico zone, with key holdings in Pedemonte (the original family seat), Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella (where the De Buris cru sits at 350 metres elevation), and additional hillside parcels across San Pietro in Cariano, Marano, and Fumane. The broader Tommasi Family Estates portfolio extends to approximately 770 hectares across multiple Italian regions: Lugana (Le Fornaci, on Lake Garda's southern shore), Tuscany (Casisano in Brunello di Montalcino, Poggio al Tufo in Maremma), Puglia (Surani, focused on Negroamaro and Primitivo), and Lombardia (Pellaro in Oltrepò Pavese). The Valpolicella vineyards anchor production of the family's flagship Amarone, Ripasso, Valpolicella Classico Superiore, and Recioto DOCG bottlings, with the De Buris and Crearago crus reserved for top-tier single-vineyard expressions.

• Valpolicella core: ~195 hectares concentrated in Classico zone (Pedemonte, Sant'Ambrogio, San Pietro in Cariano, Marano, Fumane)
• Tommasi Family Estates portfolio: ~770 hectares across Veneto, Lugana, Tuscany, Puglia, Lombardia
• Sant'Ambrogio De Buris cru: hillside parcel at 350m elevation; reserved for flagship single-vineyard Amarone Riserva
• Pedemonte Crearago: south-facing single-vineyard Amarone showing exceptional concentration

Tommasi practices traditional appassimento and Slavonian oak aging for Amarone production. Hand-selected grapes from hillside Classico vineyards are dried on bamboo racks (arele) in ventilated fruttai for approximately 100 days, losing 35-40% of their weight. Fermentation begins no earlier than December 1 at cool cellar temperatures, running for 30-50 days. Amarone Classico ages a minimum of 2 years in Slavonian oak botti (typically 30 hectoliters); De Buris Riserva ages 5 years in oak before release. The house style emphasises balance, elegance, and food-friendly structure rather than maximum extraction or new oak influence, distinguishing Tommasi from modernist barrique-aged producers. Valpolicella Ripasso follows the standard re-fermentation method on Amarone pomace. Recioto della Valpolicella production is small-batch and traditional, with extended drying and arrested fermentation preserving 90+ g/L residual sugar.

• Appassimento: hand-selected hillside grapes dried on arele bamboo racks for ~100 days, losing 35-40% weight
• Slavonian oak aging: minimum 2 years for Amarone Classico, 5 years for De Buris Riserva, typically in 30hL botti
• House style: balance, elegance, food-friendly structure; traditional approach distinguishes from modernist barrique producers
• Ripasso: re-fermentation on Amarone pomace per standard DOC method; Recioto preserved with 90+ g/L residual sugar via arrested fermentation

Tommasi's membership in Le Famiglie Storiche dell'Amarone Valpolicella positions the estate among the appellation's 13 historic-families benchmark association, alongside Allegrini, Begali, Brigaldara, Guerrieri Rizzardi, Masi, Musella, Speri, Tedeschi, Tenuta Sant'Antonio, Tommasi, Torre d'Orti, Venturini, and Zenato. The group, founded to defend traditional Amarone practices against industrial commercial shortcuts (notably the technique of partial drying followed by Ripasso-like extraction), promotes a clear standard: hillside fruit, manual appassimento, extended drying periods, no enrichment, and minimum 2-year Slavonian oak aging. Tommasi's international distribution is broad, with significant presence in the US, UK, Germany, and Asian markets. The estate's reputation rests on its consistency at the moderate price tier (Amarone Classico typically $35-45) and its De Buris Riserva at the top tier as a library benchmark for Sant'Ambrogio Classico expression.

• Le Famiglie Storiche dell'Amarone Valpolicella: 13-member association of historic Valpolicella families; defends traditional appassimento practices
• Member estates include Allegrini, Brigaldara, Guerrieri Rizzardi, Masi, Speri, Tedeschi, Tenuta Sant'Antonio, Tommasi, Zenato
• Standard promoted: hillside fruit, manual appassimento, extended drying, no enrichment, minimum 2-year Slavonian oak aging
• International distribution broad across US, UK, Germany, Asian markets; consistent at moderate price tier with De Buris Riserva top-tier library benchmark

The Tommasi estate in Pedemonte di Valpolicella welcomes visitors for guided tours and tastings, with appointments recommended particularly during the September-to-January appassimento drying period when guests can observe the traditional drying process in the fruttai. The estate's location 15 minutes from Verona makes it easily accessible for day trips combining Valpolicella with the Roman amphitheater and the city's UNESCO World Heritage centre. Vinitaly each April in Verona is a primary commercial showcase for Tommasi alongside the broader Italian wine trade. The family also operates wine-tourism facilities at their Lugana estate (Le Fornaci) on Lake Garda and at Casisano in Montalcino. Tasting flights at the Valpolicella estate typically include the entry-level Valpolicella Classico Superiore, the Ripasso, the Amarone Classico, and (in extended visits) the De Buris Riserva.

• Tommasi estate in Pedemonte di Valpolicella: guided tours and tastings; appointments recommended September-January for appassimento observation
• 15 minutes from Verona; combines easily with Roman amphitheater and city UNESCO World Heritage centre day trips
• Vinitaly (Verona, every April): primary commercial showcase for Tommasi alongside the broader Italian wine trade
• Family tourism facilities at Le Fornaci (Lugana, Lake Garda) and Casisano (Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany)