A dream, blossomed into a thriving family business based in the Valpolicella Classica with wineries throughout Italy. The fourth generation is now at the helm, each with a precise role within the company, and together, they manage the enterprise and the strategies that will lead the way to the entry of the fifth generation.
At the foundation of everything we do is Respect: for each other, for the fabric of the society and territory in which we work and live, and for the traditions that made us who we are today. Respect is what keeps us together, compact and agile.
We are exacting and demanding, but we also have each other's backs, and that respect reaches beyond ourselves to every relationship we cultivate. Before wine, we are people. We are honored to be among the principal producers of fine wines in the Valpolicella Classica, and ambassadors for Italian wines, in Italy and around the world.
History
The historical context of the dreamy Belle Époque gives an idea of the lighthearted and brief breeze that swept through Verona when Giacomo Battista Tommasi married Augusta in 1902 and went to live with her family.
He continued to cultivate the family land in the hills of the Valpolicella. Still, he also began to think about wine not as the thirst-quenching drink, but as a quality product to promote as lively and delectable for celebrations and get-togethers.
The historical context of the dreamy Belle Époque gives an idea of the lighthearted and brief breeze that swept through Verona when Giacomo Battista Tommasi married Augusta in 1902 and went to live with her family.
He continued to cultivate the family land in the hills of the Valpolicella. Still, he also began to think about wine not as the thirst-quenching drink, but as a quality product to promote as lively and delectable for celebrations and get-togethers.
Vineyards
Tommasi Viticoltori is within the confines of the Verona province and extends over a total of 225 hectares of vineyards within diverse denominations: 100 hectares fall within well-known Veronese denominations (Doc) including 45 hectares in the Lugana Doc. 115 hectares are under vine in the prestigious Valpolicella Classica.
We are sentimentally attached to our most prized vineyards in the Valpolicella Classica, especially La Groletta, Conca d'Oro and Ca' Florian. These are the vineyards, the heart of our Amarone wines, that we fought hard for, cultivated with love, and where we have accomplished our most ambitious projects to date.
Anyone who follows us will recognize that our new passion is the Lugana Le Fornaci project in the stunning territory of southern Lake Garda. We preside over a number of denominations, but it is the age-worthy and expressive Turbiana grape that won us over.
We are sentimentally attached to our most prized vineyards in the Valpolicella Classica, especially La Groletta, Conca d'Oro and Ca' Florian. These are the vineyards, the heart of our Amarone wines, that we fought hard for, cultivated with love, and where we have accomplished our most ambitious projects to date.
Anyone who follows us will recognize that our new passion is the Lugana Le Fornaci project in the stunning territory of southern Lake Garda. We preside over a number of denominations, but it is the age-worthy and expressive Turbiana grape that won us over.
Valpolicella
La Groletta vineyard
La Groletta is our top vineyard in the Sant'Ambrogio della Valpolicella municipality on the Grola hill at an altitude of 250 meters. The name itself is legendary and tells a local tale about the origins of Valpolicella's grapes. The tale is about a little black crow "groletta" that blessed the hill's grapes, saving a poor peasant's harvest.
The vineyard is the best in the Valpolicella Classica, given the unique position on a natural terrace with a southwestern aspect overlooking the blue waters of Lake Garda on the horizon, while cloaked by the protective mantle of the Lessini Mountains to the north. The origin of the area is glacial, and so the soil is calcareous and rich with fossils, thus particularly well-draining. Excellent diurnal ranges, sunshine and near-constant breezes from the Lake complete the perfect conditions for the 30 year old native vines.
The highest parcel of 1.9 hectares is dedicated to the cru brand De Buris. The grapes are hand selected from this small parcel planted in the 70s. The vineyard is in conversion to be certified organic, although intervention in this vineyard has always been nearly non-existent.
The vineyard is the best in the Valpolicella Classica, given the unique position on a natural terrace with a southwestern aspect overlooking the blue waters of Lake Garda on the horizon, while cloaked by the protective mantle of the Lessini Mountains to the north. The origin of the area is glacial, and so the soil is calcareous and rich with fossils, thus particularly well-draining. Excellent diurnal ranges, sunshine and near-constant breezes from the Lake complete the perfect conditions for the 30 year old native vines.
The highest parcel of 1.9 hectares is dedicated to the cru brand De Buris. The grapes are hand selected from this small parcel planted in the 70s. The vineyard is in conversion to be certified organic, although intervention in this vineyard has always been nearly non-existent.
The vineyard is implanted guyot, with Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta, at a density of 6,500 plants per hectare for an equivalent average yield of 60 quintals, dedicated to the production of Amarone.
Conca d'Oro vineyard
It took us some time to understand how to plant the vineyards to capture the innate qualities of this hillside plot in the Valpolicella Classica. The medium texture of the topsoil and the fossil-rich soil in depth, provides the vines with well-drained soil, high in active limestone, at a Ph of 7.5. What this means for the wines, is more complexity and structure with an elegant bouquet that many define as floral.
The vineyard produces grapes for some of our most iconic wines like Amarone, Ripasso and Crearo. The vineyards are planted with the native Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, but also with the international Cabernet Franc. Despite the challenges of cultivating Cabernet Franc in the Valpolicella Classica soils, Giancarlo Tommasi persisted in bucking tradition and created the successful blend, Crearo.
Rafaèl Vineyard
Rafaèl is our family's first vineyard, where our great-grandfather, and founder, Giacomo Tommasi planted his first vines and built the family's home in the Comune of San Pietro di Cariano, in the Valpolicella Classica. The vineyard is near the Masua, another historic cru vineyard at an altitude of 200 meters.
The vine-training remains the original pergola Veronese trellising on the Unesco protected traditional dry-stone wall terraces. The vineyards are planted with Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, and average an age of 30-35 years.
The terrain is limestone and clay, which tend to bring out primary aromas of black spice and fruit with a savory finish.
The grapes from this vineyard maintain a relatively high acidity and are known to need less aging than our other cru vineyards.
The vine-training remains the original pergola Veronese trellising on the Unesco protected traditional dry-stone wall terraces. The vineyards are planted with Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, and average an age of 30-35 years.
The terrain is limestone and clay, which tend to bring out primary aromas of black spice and fruit with a savory finish.
The grapes from this vineyard maintain a relatively high acidity and are known to need less aging than our other cru vineyards.
Ca' Florian and Fiorato
The Ca' Florian and Fiorato vineyards are just above the Rafaèl vineyard at the summit of the hill. Together, they form our historic vineyards. The composition of the soil is a dark clay, where the concentrations of iron and magnesium are mostly responsible for the dark coloration due to the oxidation of the two minerals.
This implies aromatic precursors that bring out the dark red fruits, like the local "marasche" cherries and blackberries. The Ca' Florian cru sets itself apart for sobriety and elegance, with notes of cherry and marasca typical of the Marano valley, but also, aromas of sweet spices. The wines produced here are particularly structured and elegant and therefore well suited to the aging required for our top Amarone riserva.
Tenuta Prunea
The impressive Prunea estate at the foot of the Valpolicella hills is our largest single vineyard with a high clay content compared to the cru vineyards at higher altitudes.
Here we have the soils that are fresh and cool for the early ripening international varieties like Merlot and Pinot Grigio.
Here, we obtain wines that are aromatically delicate, but are compensated by the glyceric components that lift the body and structure.
Fruit and spice prevail in the bouquet, while the palate enjoys a lovely texture and a slightly salty finish.
Here we have the soils that are fresh and cool for the early ripening international varieties like Merlot and Pinot Grigio.
Here, we obtain wines that are aromatically delicate, but are compensated by the glyceric components that lift the body and structure.
Fruit and spice prevail in the bouquet, while the palate enjoys a lovely texture and a slightly salty finish.
Le Volpare and Monte Croce
On the prestigious hillside of Monte Foscarino at an altitude of 250 meters on the eastern side of the Soave Classico in Monteforte d'Alpone, our two Soave vineyards are mainly on basaltic soils of volcanic origin. The vineyards of Garganega and Trebbiano Veronese produce the grapes for our Soave Classico Doc and Passito IGT.
Lake Garda
Lugana Project
Le Fornaci
Le Fornaci is much more than just another vineyard: it is a project we will build around our premium white wine. Plans are underway to build a dedicated winery and a wine shop with hospitality for wine enthusiasts.
Not many international wine experts knew about Lugana and the Turbiana grape when we first set foot on the site of a well-known 19th century battleground of the second War of Independence honored by a monumental tower, symbol of the "San Martino della Battaglia".
Here, on the southwestern side of Lake Garda near Desenzano, we purchased the first 5 hectares of vineyard. We named the vineyard Le Fornaci due to a nearby archaeological site where the ruins of an old Roman oven ("fornace") dating back to the first or second century A.C are still visible.
Fossa Granara
Tenuta Fossa Granara is an eastern Lake Garda property comprising three distinct vineyards around Castelnuovo del Garda: Villa Fontana, Granara e Bosco del Gal. The area of glacial origin, due to the lake effect, has a mild climate.
At Villa Fontana we cultivate Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara e Dindarella used in our Bardolino Doc and Chiaretto di Bardolino Doc (rosé). At the Bosco del Gal vineyard, surrounded by a small forest, we cultivate Trebbiano, Garganega, Malvasia and Cortese for our Custoza Doc.
The vineyards are vine-trained guyot at a density of 5.500 plants/ha. These are wines that are lively, fresh and floral, with lovely balance and lower alcohol contents.
At Villa Fontana we cultivate Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara e Dindarella used in our Bardolino Doc and Chiaretto di Bardolino Doc (rosé). At the Bosco del Gal vineyard, surrounded by a small forest, we cultivate Trebbiano, Garganega, Malvasia and Cortese for our Custoza Doc.
The vineyards are vine-trained guyot at a density of 5.500 plants/ha. These are wines that are lively, fresh and floral, with lovely balance and lower alcohol contents.
