Zýmē

Celestino Gaspari trained as winemaker under Giuseppe Quintarelli, the legendary Negrar producer widely regarded as the maestro of traditional Valpolicella, for over a decade. Gaspari married Quintarelli's daughter and served as the estate's de facto cellar master through the 1990s, helping shape the modern expression of Quintarelli's Amarone, Recioto, and the rare Bandito wines. In 2003, Gaspari established Zýmē (taking the Greek word for 'yeast' as the estate name) in San Pietro in Cariano, the southernmost commune of Valpolicella Classico. The decision to launch his own project allowed Gaspari to combine traditional Quintarelli-style technique with his own experimental impulses, particularly toward indigenous-variety blending and contemporary cellar aesthetics. The dramatic cellar building completed in 2008, designed by Moreno Zurlo, has become one of Valpolicella's architectural landmarks and a destination for wine tourism.

• Celestino Gaspari trained under Giuseppe Quintarelli for over a decade; married Quintarelli's daughter; was Negrar estate's de facto cellar master through the 1990s
• Zýmē founded 2003 in San Pietro in Cariano; name derives from Greek for 'yeast'
• Decision to launch own project allowed Gaspari to combine traditional Quintarelli technique with experimental impulses
• Cellar building completed 2008 by Moreno Zurlo; Valpolicella architectural landmark and wine-tourism destination

Zýmē operates approximately 30 hectares of estate-owned vineyards in San Pietro in Cariano (warmest Classico commune) plus parcels in Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella, with some additional sourced fruit from trusted local growers under long-term agreements. Soils are typical of southern Classico: calcareous-dolomitic hillsides with pockets of clay-loam, producing structured, ripe-fruit-forward expressions. Vineyards sit at 150-300 metres elevation. The estate maintains plantings of indigenous varieties beyond the standard Corvina-Corvinone-Rondinella triad, supporting Gaspari's experimental Harlequin project: smaller plantings of Molinara, Oseleta, Croatina, Dindarella, Negrara, Forsellina, Spigamonti, and several other rare indigenous Valpolicella varieties contribute to the experimental blend.

• ~30 hectares estate-owned vineyards in San Pietro in Cariano + parcels in Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella
• Calcareous-dolomitic hillsides with clay-loam pockets; 150-300m elevation
• Indigenous-variety plantings beyond standard Corvina-Corvinone-Rondinella: Molinara, Oseleta, Croatina, Dindarella, Negrara, Forsellina, Spigamonti
• Limited additional sourced fruit from trusted local growers under long-term agreements

Zýmē practices traditional Valpolicella appassimento alongside experimental indigenous-variety blending. Amarone production follows the conventional path: hand-harvest, drying on bamboo arele for 100-120 days, fermentation beginning no earlier than December 1, extended maceration, and aging in Slavonian oak botti supplemented by selected use of French tonneau for specific bottlings. La Mattonara Riserva ages 5-7 years in oak before release. The experimental side defines Gaspari's distinctive contribution to Valpolicella: Harlequin (IGT Veronese) blends up to 15 indigenous varieties in proportions varying by vintage; Kairos blends 12+ varieties through a multi-stage co-fermentation process; From Black To White is a sequential field-blend project that begins with red varieties and ends with white. These experimental wines are bottled as IGT Veronese rather than under DOC/DOCG designations, allowing Gaspari freedom from appellation grape-composition restrictions.

• Traditional Amarone: hand-harvest, 100-120 day appassimento, December-1 minimum fermentation start, Slavonian botti + selected French tonneau aging
• La Mattonara Riserva: 5-7 years oak aging before release; flagship cellar-aged expression
• Harlequin (IGT Veronese): experimental blend of up to 15 indigenous Valpolicella varieties; vintage-variable proportions
• Kairos and From Black To White: additional experimental indigenous-variety projects bottled IGT Veronese for grape-composition freedom

Zýmē has earned consistent recognition from Italian wine guides (Gambero Rosso, Slow Wine, Bibenda) and international critics, with Harlequin and La Mattonara Riserva receiving particular praise for their distinctive expression of indigenous-variety potential in modern Valpolicella. The Quintarelli lineage gives Zýmē a clear traditional anchor, while Gaspari's experimental approach distinguishes the estate from the more conservative Famiglie Storiche association producers. Library wines from older vintages occasionally appear at international auctions and are sought by Italian wine collectors. Gaspari has also collaborated on consulting projects in other Italian regions, extending his Valpolicella expertise. The estate has remained relatively small-scale despite its critical recognition, with Gaspari prioritising quality and creative expression over commercial expansion.

• Consistent recognition from Gambero Rosso, Slow Wine, Bibenda Italian wine guides; international critic praise
• Harlequin and La Mattonara Riserva receive particular praise for distinctive indigenous-variety expression
• Quintarelli lineage provides traditional anchor; experimental approach distinguishes from Famiglie Storiche conservative tradition
• Library wines from older vintages appear at international auctions; sought by Italian wine collectors

The Zýmē cellar building, completed in 2008 by Italian architect Moreno Zurlo, is one of Valpolicella's most distinctive contemporary winery structures. Built into the hillside in San Pietro in Cariano, the building combines underground aging facilities (carved into existing tunnel networks from the area's quarrying heritage) with modern above-ground reception spaces, glass-walled fermentation halls, and dramatic views across the Valpolicella Classico landscape. The cellar has become a destination for wine tourism, with the estate welcoming visitors by appointment for guided tours and tastings. Tasting flights typically include the entry-tier Reverie Valpolicella Classico Superiore, the Amarone Classico, Harlequin (when available), and (in extended visits) the La Mattonara Riserva. The combination of striking architecture, Quintarelli-lineage tradition, and Gaspari's creative experimentation makes Zýmē one of Valpolicella's most distinctive visitor experiences.

• Cellar completed 2008 by architect Moreno Zurlo; one of Valpolicella's most distinctive contemporary winery buildings
• Built into hillside in San Pietro in Cariano; underground aging facilities + above-ground reception spaces
• Wine-tourism destination; visits by appointment for guided tours and tastings
• Tasting flights: Reverie Classico Superiore, Amarone Classico, Harlequin, La Mattonara Riserva (in extended visits)