Not the usual Amarone: the harmony and gracefulness of Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2013 of Santa Sofia

Luciano Begnoni describes a career in wine that was not originally planned. At eighteen he did not drink wine; after qualifying as an accountant and beginning university, family circumstances brought him into Santa Sofia in 1984 at age nineteen. He trained through practical work as a manager and sales representative, applying Giancarlo’s “strategy of excellence” in a market still marked by low-quality, demijohn wine.

During the 1990s Luciano took charge of exports. Santa Sofia’s presence grew from three countries to approximately seventy. Early international travel was undertaken with Giancarlo; Luciano later brought foreign samples and market observations home. His objective was responsiveness without chasing trends: the wines should remain authentic, traditional and recognizable by territory and grape variety, without excessive oak.

The family’s vineyard base comprised 24 hectares in Valpolicella Classica and 45 hectares in Valpantena. Limited cellar and storage space prompted plans for a new winery close to the ancient maturation cellars. Giancarlo continued as winemaker and mentor to Matteo Tommasi, while Luciano emphasized building a young team trained within Santa Sofia.

The desired house character is clean, recognizable and elegant, including in powerful wines. Drinkability, freshness and coherence across the range remain central to that identity.