Santa Sofia’s summer

The Begnoni family traces Santa Sofia’s continuous renewal from the release of its first Amarone in 1967. Demijohns were replaced by barrels, vineyard holdings expanded and the maturation programme evolved. Luciano Begnoni’s arrival brought a stronger focus on management, international sales and the spatial requirements of a growing winery.

The Palladian villa was to remain primarily a place of welcome, while more production and storage space was needed. The family assembled more than 24 hectares in Valpolicella Classica and 45 hectares in Valpantena, with sustainable agriculture supporting red-wine production. Storage and organization for roughly half a million bottles drove the search for a new facility and an estimated €8 million investment.

Maturation continued in the historic complex: the oldest tufa section used Slavonian-oak barrels, while an eighteenth-century section accommodated other parts of the range. The discussion also introduced projects based around Lake Garda, including vineyards at Pozzolengo and post-glacial hills between Lazise and Bardolino.