Villa Mattielli – From Verona with Love and Passion

Global EAT - Villa Mattielli - From Verona with Love and Passion
Garganega is Italy's 6th most widely cultivated white grape - used primary for making the white Soave wine.[Garganega Soave (c)Alessandro Pighi, CC BY-SA 4.0]

Villa Mattielli wines are bottled with love and passion. Wine critics and oenophiles lauded the Verona wines for its elegance and fragrance.

Villa Mattielli wines evoke a sense of freshness and sophistication, from full-bodied reds to dry whites.

Award-Winning Wines

Their Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2013 red wine won several awards in 2017 including the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles gold medal.

A star among their wine selection is the Valpolicella Ripasso “San Giacomo” 2014.  In 2016, the elegant, medium-bodied wine garnered many awards including the: 

  • Autochtona best red wine award
  • Concours Mondial de Bruxelles gold medal
  • Decanter World Wine Awards bronze medal
Global EAT - Villa Mattielli – From Verona with Love and Passion
Left to Right: Soave Classico “Campolungo” 2015, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2013, Valpolicella Ripasso “San Giacomo” (Villa Mattielli)

It’s made from native Verona grape varieties, namely: Corvina Veronese, Corvinone and Rondinella. The traditional oak-aged crimson-red wine has subtle cherry and light spice aromas. Smooth on the palate, well-balanced and complex with a gentle tannin finish.

The delicious red wine is a good compliment to game, grilled meat and ripened cheese.

Ripasso is a technique of fermenting young wine with pomace leftover from making Amarone.

Soave Classico “Campolungo” 2015, their white wine scored a bronze medal at the 2016 Decanter World Wine Award. 

This pure Garganega grape wine offers intense and exotic fruity notes, good structure, with a refreshing mineral and citrusy finish.  A good match for fish dishes, raw vegetable platters, fresh and soft cheeses.

Global EAT - Villa Mattielli – From Verona with Love and Passion
Soave Classico pairs well with fish dishes such as this delicious swordfish on rice cake entree prepared by the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. (Nikao Media)

Commitment to Sustainability

The estate’s 30-hectare terraced vineyards carpet the slopes of Soave and Valpolicella in eastern Verona’s DOC areas.

DOC (Denominazione di origine controllata) means “Controlled designation of origin” – an Italian food quality assurance label.

Grapes are hand-harvested. Each bottle of wine produced is a labour of love and passion. 

Viticulture in these areas dates back to the 10th century or even earlier.  The province of Verona is located in northeastern Italy’s Venato region. Venato is the largest DOC producer in Italy.

Fertile volcanic and morainic blended soils, mild climate and good sun exposure contributes to their delicious wines.  Sustainable wine-growing practices also breathe life, and ultimately flavour, into their grapes and wines.

The best wines are not made in the cellar, but grown in the vineyards.” – Villa Mattielli

Viniculturist Roberta Roncolato was the brainchild behind Villa Mattielli.  Roncolato launched the brand in 2009 – with support from her husband Giacomo Giordano.

The re-branding highlighted a modern take on the time-honoured business, and continuity of a four-generation wine-making tradition.  A testament to their vision and commitment to sustaining the future of Italian viticulture and wine production.

Related: Why are Young Italians Returning to Farming?

Wine lovers can enjoy a plethora of activities at the family-run estate.  They range from cellar visits to guided wine tasting tours and wine shopping. Over 10 different types of red, rose and white wines stock the store shelves.

More information on Villa Mattielli wines: www.villamattielli.it/eng/

Global EAT - Villa Mattielli – From Verona with Love and Passion
Urban dwellers seeking a peaceful retreat can relax at La Trebbianella, the estate’s bed and breakfast lodging. (Villa Mattielli)

Soave and Verona

Nearby attractions include Soave and Verona. Soave, one of Italy’s most well-kept medieval walled towns is 10-minutes drive away.  The quaint town charms visitors with its towering medieval castle, glorious Roman history and picturesque vineyard covered hills.

Verona, the City of Love and birthplace of Romeo and Juliet is under an hour’s drive away.  The provincial capital holds one of the world’s largest and most intact Roman amphitheatre. The famous Verona Opera Festival held at the Verona arena every summer is truly a unique experience not to be missed.