For over a hundred years in Valpolicella, Farina Wines has combined family history and scientific research for a traditional and cutting-edge Amarone at the same time
The patriarchal house dates back to 1500. The tuff arch with the heraldic coat of arms at the entrance does not only represent an architectural element: it is the first chapter of a story that spans four generations. Farina Wines was born in the early twentieth century, when the family progressively transformed its agricultural land, intended for cereals, olive trees and cherry trees, into a reality dedicated exclusively to viticulture.
The decisive turning point occurred in 1968, the year in which the recognition of the «Valpolicella» Doc was made official. The cousins Oar, Sandro And Piero Farina they seize the grape at the opportunity: they reduce yields, select vines in particularly suitable positions and establish collaborations with the winemakers in the area to source grapes of extraordinary quality.
Elena and Claudio: the fourth generation at the helm
Since the 2000s, the company has been led by cousins Elena And Claudio Farinafourth generation of the family. Their choice was not to simply preserve the legacy received, but to continually question and update it. «Innovation is the rediscovery of evolving tradition», is their summary, which recalls, not coincidentally, Oscar Wilde.
As evidence of this evolution, the cellar has expanded and the winemaking team is very young, led by the winemaker Andrea Zerman. Yet, at the same time, the production heart maintains the historic barrel cellar, where the large Slavonian oak barrels continue to host the maturation of traditional red wines.
Innovation as a compass for Farine Wines
Over the last decade, Farina Wines has started a structured collaboration with the Faculty of Oenology of the University of Verona. The object of study is the role of oxygen in winemaking and its impact on the finished wine. The results obtained are particularly interesting: the controlled supply of oxygen during the fermentative maceration phase allows the sulfur dioxide content in the finished wine to be reduced by approximately 20 percent.
From this research, a second investment phase was then born. Nine 75 hectoliter raw concrete vats, the so-called «Tulips», and 30 ceramic stoneware vases were introduced into the cellar. For two years, Farina Wines has conducted comparative analyzes on the evolution of wines in these different materials, building an extremely precise mapping of the potential of each container with respect to its wines.
The ecological footprint of Farina Wines
On the sustainability front, from 2024 the company’s entire energy needs are covered by the photovoltaic system installed on the roof. Chemical weed control is not practiced in the vineyard, and the «Simonit & Sirch» pruning system is adopted to prolong the health of the vines. We also follow a “smart viticulture” philosophy aimed specifically at limiting the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil.
Bottling has also changed. For almost the entire range, except Amarone, Farina has adopted Nomacorc’s «Select green» caps: 100 percent recyclable and made with natural materials derived from sugar cane. With a net zero carbon footprint.
To date, the vineyards cover 90 hectares: 10 owned by the family and 80 worked by 30 historic suppliers of Valpolicella Classica, all in the valleys of San Pietro in Cariano, Sant’Ambrogio, Negrar, Marano and Fumane, between 150 and 350 meters above sea level.
The news of the Remo Farina line
Some wines are born before they even enter the vineyard. This is the case of the Line Remo Farinathree labels dedicated to Elena’s father, third generation together with cousins Sandro and Piero: a tribute symbolizing a precise production identity.
The most representative is perhaps the Montefante Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva, which was born in 1997 from an intuition of Remo himself: from the excess grapes, a longer drying than usual. From that experimentation came the most awarded wine of Farina Wines, recognizable thanks to its complex aromas and vigorous structure which has made it successful on international markets.
The Montecorna Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Classico Superiore comes from the vineyard of the same name on Monte Masua, a particularly suitable area. Here, the vines are around 40 years old and the age is perceived (in a positive sense): the wine has depth and a well-defined stylistic signature, with the rich and intense fruit that dialogues with a persistent spicy note.
To complete the line, the Corte Conti Cavalli Rosso Veronese IGT brings with it the history of the 16th century patriarchal residence in which the family resides. The name pays homage to the Cavalli Counts, linked to the Scaligeri court, who lived in that residence. The slightly dried Corvina, with a touch of Merlot, offers a soft, round wine, with floral and fruity aromas and a spicy finish. Three wines different in structure and denomination, united by a common thread (like the wine): describing Valpolicella through those who have lived it for over a century.
