Valpolicella Organic Wineries

In recent years, a deeper consumers' awareness of the environment and nutrition related issues and the pursue of healthier lifestyles has increased the interest towards organic products all over the world and in all dietary areas. The wine business makes no exception and all over the world there is a growing demand for organic, biodynamic and natural wines. Of course, Valpolicella, as an important wine production area is no exception. There are many wineries that in recent years have introduced systems of cultivation of the vine that reduce pesticides and fungicides and natural cellar practices.
It is possible to organize a wine tour of Amarone producing area all focused on organic production, or to select one or two wineries to visit in a general winery tour of Valpolicella that covers all the aspects of a multifaceted wine region.

For further information or to book an Amarone organic winery tour:

veronatour@gmail.com

Organic Wine Making

It must be said that the climatic characteristics of Valpolicella allow even wineries that are not certified as organic to be rather respectful of the environment. It's been decades since producers in Valpolicella have stopped using herbicides, and it is now normal to see all sorts of grass and herbs growing between vine rows, mowed regularly for natural composting. Parasitic infestations are generally rare, and many wineries, even if not strictly organic, regularly apply integrated control systems and sexual confusion through pheromones to contain the proliferation of certain harmful insects such as the vine moth.
Concerning fungal diseases such as mildew, the ventilation and the fairly low humidity of Valpolicella allow in most vintages not to intervene with systemic products, using only Bordeaux mixture, a surface product composed of copper sulfate and slaked lime, which is also allowed by the regulations of organic cultivation.
Concerning Amarone, given its high alcohol content, structure and tannins, which are natural preservatives, it is possible to reduce the quantity of added sulfites so that their amount is normally below the limits of what is required for organic wines.

Bio Wines

Nevertheless, there are wineries that decide to follow even more stringent protocols and certifications of organic production that require a series of very strict controls of the soil and the product, and that even in difficult years prohibit the use of certain products that would contaminate the soil. The list of organic wineries in Valpolicella we collaborate for our wine tours includes Valentina Cubi in Fumane, Ca' La Bionda and Novaia in Marano valley.

Biodynamic Wines

There are also wineries that follow biodynamic production methods, which involves vine growing practices with the use of infusions of natural herbs to combat harmful insects and fungal diseases, wild yeasts for the fermentation of the wines, winery practices that follow moon phases and precise seasonal moments to increase the stability of the wine, etc.. Biodynamic wineries in Valpolicella are Monte Dall'Ora and Villa Bellini in Castelrotto, Gino Fasoli in Colognola Ai Colli..

Natural Wines

Natural wines are wines where only wild yeasts are used for the fermentation and no sulfites or chemical product is added. Due to the lack of stability of the wines produced in this way, apart from rare exceptions, you will find mainly younger wines, to be drunk within a few years of bottling. Wines such as Amarone, which is aged for a long time in barrels and then in bottles, would hardly be able to remain drinkable for a long time without the addition of a quantity, even minimal, of sulfites.
As a D.O.C.  (Valpolicella, Valpolicella Superiore) and D.O.C.G. (Amarone and Recioto) denomination area, before receiving the authorization label a bottles as Valpolicella, Amarone, etc., wines must pass a tasting test of expert sommeliers who determine if the wine falls within the organoleptic parameters determined for its category. Natural wines, being subject to great variations in taste and aroma depending on the vintage, would risk not obtaining certification.

Wines for Export

Many foreign visitors often tell us that they believe that the wine for export contains additional preservatives. They think so because apparently, when they drink Italian wines at home, the next day they often have headache and hangover, symptoms that, when they drink the same wine in Italy, they do not experience. Talking to producers they assure that the wine for export is exactly the same wine that is sold in Italy. We believe that this is probably due to the fact that when people are on vacation in Italy they are probably more relaxed, stress-free, with no work related worries.

Do not hesitate to send us an email to book your Valpolicella organic wineries tour.

veronatour@gmail.com