Storia
Medieval origins
From the Late Middle Ages, the lands on which Corteforte now stands were entrusted as a benefice to the Abbey of San Zeno, which managed their cultivation and harvests.
Corteforte was erected at the beginning of the 15th century in the Fumane valley, in the small settlement of Osan, historically associated with the Roman name Voxius. Its commanding position allowed the fortified complex to control the valley and defend it from incursions arriving from the north. The original quadrilateral comprised four corner towers connected by a high stone perimeter wall.
Transformation into a country residence
During the 17th century, the property passed to an important Veronese family. The defensive complex was transformed into a noble country residence: its architecture was softened with decorative elements and enlarged through the construction of agricultural outbuildings. Only one crenellated tower survives from the original four.
The modern Corteforte
The modern chapter began in the late 1980s, when Carlo Maria Cerutti encountered the abandoned medieval court. Restoration of the buildings proceeded alongside the recovery and care of the vineyards. By the end of that decade, the complex had been converted into a winery and agriturismo, uniting wine production with hospitality.
The vinification cellar was established in a restored agricultural annex, while the original underground cellar beneath the historic buildings was retained for bottle ageing. The former medieval kitchen became a tasting room, preserving its large fireplace, long walnut tables and a sink made from Valpolicella marble.
Vineyards and commercial production
The surrounding vineyards were planted in 1990 and trained to the traditional Pergola Veronese system. Commercial release began with the 1993 vintage. Production developed around the classic wines of Valpolicella—Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, Amarone and Recioto—alongside Rosso Veronese IGT wines.
Organic certification followed in 2018. In 2020, a dedicated garden was created for outdoor tastings. Hospitality subsequently expanded to include rooms and apartments in the historic buildings and a salt-water swimming pool.
Terroir
Corteforte lies in the Fumane valley within Valpolicella Classica, between Verona and Lake Garda. The surrounding landscape combines gently contoured hills, vineyards, woodland and historic villages. In the wider setting, the Adige marks the southern side of Valpolicella, the Monti Lessini rise to the north and Lake Garda lies to the west; the lake’s mild, temperate influence supports vines as well as olive and cherry cultivation.
The estate’s 3 ha of vineyards surround the medieval court. They face southwest and rise from 150 to 300 metres above sea level. Strong day-to-night temperature variation supports slow, balanced ripening.
The soils are described as volcanic and basaltic, with red stone and limestone. Technical descriptions also refer to tuff, basalt and Eocene limestone. Corteforte associates this combination with depth, structure and aromatic complexity in the wines.
Vinificazione
The vineyards have been trained to Pergola Veronese since their planting in 1990. This traditional system provides natural protection for the bunches and is intended to preserve the quality and integrity of the fruit.
The principal varieties are Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara, accompanied by other native Valpolicella grapes. Corteforte attributes structure, elegance, cherry and red-fruit character to Corvina; body, aromatic intensity, dark-fruit character and spice to Corvinone; freshness, balance and resistance during drying to Rondinella; and acidity, finesse and verticality to Molinara.
Crop levels are differentiated by destination: 40 quintals per hectare for Amarone and Recioto and 110 quintals per hectare for Valpolicella. Grapes intended for the dried-grape wines undergo traditional natural appassimento in the estate’s drying room.
Corteforte has held organic certification since 2018. The vineyards supplying Bertarè are also identified with RRR sustainability certification. The production philosophy emphasizes daily attention, manual work, limited volumes and continuous quality control rather than shortcuts or accelerated schedules.
Vinification takes place in a temperature-controlled cellar created inside a restored agricultural annex. Wines ferment and mature in stainless-steel tanks before ageing in tonneaux and French-oak casks. The casks are reported in capacities from 5 to 25 hl; an earlier general production description gives an overall oak-vessel range of 3.5 to 25 hl. The original cellar beneath the historic buildings is used for bottle maturation.
The production cycle is based on grape selection, natural appassimento where required, slow fermentation and extended maturation. Across the historic range, all wines were described as receiving wood ageing: approximately 6–8 months for Valpolicella Ripasso and as long as 36 months for Amarone from Osan.
For the Ripasso process, selected grapes are picked in two differentiated passes to improve ripeness, then promptly crushed and destemmed. Fermentation takes place in small-capacity vessels, continuing until the sugars are exhausted, with frequent pump-overs. In April following the harvest, the wine is refermented on Recioto or Amarone pomace to increase aroma, colour, body and alcoholic strength.
Recioto production begins with selection of the healthiest, ripest outer portions of the bunches—the recie, or “ears”—followed by natural drying. The broader portfolio is presented as one governed by deliberate waiting, slow fermentation and maturation in wood, with limited production allowing close control of each stage.
Filosofia
Corteforte defines its approach through respect for time, the land and manual work. Wine is treated as an artisanal undertaking requiring daily attention, experience, sensitivity and patience. Natural rhythms are not to be shortened, and each vintage is intended to retain its own identity.
Limited production is central to this position because it permits continuous control over quality and close attention to each stage. The approach seeks a balance between inherited Valpolicella practices and a contemporary outlook: traditional Pergola Veronese, natural appassimento and long maturation coexist with temperature-controlled vinification, stainless steel and carefully managed oak ageing.
Selection and respect for the raw material underpin the range. Corteforte presents wine as an expression of place, season and human decisions, with Amarone requiring particular time, balance and precision. Restoration of the medieval court, care of the vines and hospitality are treated as parts of one project rather than separate activities.