Wine lovers can join a wine tour from Lake Garda or Venice to explore the vineyard-covered hills of Valpolicella by car, e-bike, or on foot, stopping at wineries along the way to sample some of the region’s most prestigious labels.
The wine produced in Valpolicella comes from one or more of four grapes—corvina, rondinella, corvinone, and molinara—and tends to resemble Beaujolais, with a mild flavor that is often fruity and fragrant. The most notable wine from the region is Amarone della Valpolicella, considered one of Italy’s finest wines and included in most wine tastings in the area’s wineries, which run the gamut from small, family-run operations to large high-tech producers.
Valpolicella in the Veneto region at the foot of the Dolomites, just west of Lake Garda and an easy day trip from Venice and Verona. The best way to visit is with a small-group or private tour with transportation to avoid navigating the country roads by car, or with an e-bike or hiking tour to explore the countryside.
Try to visit Valpolicella in spring and fall, when the hillsides are green with lush vineyards. To experience the more technical side of the local wine-making tradition, time your tour for late summer to see the vendemmia (traditional grape harvest).
Known primarily as the birthplace of Amarone, Valpolicella produces four types of notable red wines: the dry and bold Amarone; the spicy cherry-noted Valpolicella Ripasso; sweet Recioto; and bright and lively Valpolicella.