An Italian family winery—that's what Antiche Terre Venete stands for. The winery and vineyards are located in central Veneto, specifically in the town of Sezano. Situated in the Valpantena Valley, also known as "The Valley of the Gods," the family is quite proud of this. It's a beautiful setting where the vineyards shine, but that doesn't happen by itself. Hard work is put into the centuries-old vineyards, which date back to Roman times. Today, Antiche Terre Venete is a collaboration between two families. They combined their expertise in the early 20th century. It was the Vittorio Sancassasi and Degani families who decided to start growing organic wines in their beloved Italy.
The harvest for the Valpolicella Ripasso
This beautiful red wine is made from the three renowned grape varieties Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, and Rondinella. They enjoy a perfect climate where the sun ensures ripening, the wind provides cooling, and the ancient soils provide abundant strength. This blend of strengths is unique to the Valpantena Valley and gives the winemakers a full and powerful harvest. The grapes are harvested entirely by hand, bunch by bunch, with the utmost precision, as the grapes truly receive royal treatment. The bunches are transported in small crates to the press at Antiche Terre Venete. After pressing, the grapes are stored until December, after which a second fermentation is carried out with the must from its larger cousin, Amarone. The wine becomes fuller and smoother, and we can safely say this is a kind of baby Amarone. And yes, Amarone is the best wine of the region.
The smell and taste of the Antiche Terre Venete Valpolicella Ripasso
After the second fermentation, the entire wine and oak are aged for a full twelve months. This Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore unwinds and delivers a powerful aroma. This is also evident in the aroma of this red wine, which is truly fantastic, with a richness of black fruit, a touch of cherry and chocolate, as well as vanilla and fresh herbs. The palate is stunning—how can it be at this price? Yes, we wondered about that too. On the palate, the senses are captivated by nuances of ripe black fruit and the hint of plums. A touch of cocoa, vanilla, and cedarwood, but the finish is rich in spices and blackcurrant jam.
2021
