Zenato Ripassa is one of the best-known Ripasso wines from Valpolicella and a significant wine in the winery's history. By re-fermenting the Valpolicella on the skins of Amarone, the wine gains extra color, structure, and aromatic depth, featuring ripe red fruit, fine spices, soft tannins, and the recognizable velvety style of Zenato.
This Ripassa comes from Valpolicella, in Veneto, in northeast Italy.
Location / Origin: The grapes come from hilly vineyards with southeastern and southwestern exposure. This position gives the vines many hours of sunshine, while the altitude helps to maintain freshness in the fruit.
Altitude: The vineyards are located at an altitude of 250–300 meters. This ensures a good balance between ripeness, aromatic development, and fresh tension.
Soil: The soil is predominantly chalk and limestone-rich, with many stones. This stony structure provides drainage and helps the wine maintain its refined, fresh backbone.
Vineyard & Harvest: The vines are on average 20 years old and are trained using the Guyot system. The grapes are harvested by hand from the end of September to the beginning of October.
The strength of Zenato Ripassa lies in the Ripasso method, where Valpolicella gains extra depth through contact with the skins of Amarone.
Harvest & Selection: The grapes are destemmed and crushed before the first fermentation begins. Hand-harvesting helps ensure ripe and healthy fruit is used as the basis for the wine.
Fermentation: The first maceration and fermentation take place in stainless steel tanks for 10–12 days. The wine is then gently pressed and kept in steel until the Amarone grapes are pressed.
Ripasso method: In January, the Valpolicella is re-fermented on the skins of Amarone for 7–8 days at 22 °C. What is Ripasso? Ripasso is a traditional technique where wine gains extra structure, color, and aroma through re-fermentation on the rich skins of Amarone grapes.
Aging / Wood maturation: After the Ripasso phase, the wine ages for at least 24 months in wood and then for another 12 months in stainless steel. This long aging process provides extra spiciness, roundness, and depth, while the wine retains its fresh fruit profile.
The blend consists of classic Valpolicella grapes, with Corvina Veronese as the supporting foundation.
85% Corvina Veronese – Valpolicella: Corvina Veronese gives the wine its cherry fruit, freshness, elegance, and fine spicy tension.
10% Corvinone – Valpolicella: Corvinone brings extra color, ripe dark fruit, and more structure to the blend.
5% Rondinella – Valpolicella: Rondinella adds suppleness, soft fruit notes, and balance.
