Tinazzi loves appassimento

Tradition and innovation in Amarone production...

Located on the shores of the beautiful Garda Lake in Veneto region, Tinazzi winery was founded in 1968 through the passion and perseverance of Eugenio Tinazzi. The company is now run by his son, Gian Andrea Tinazzi, who was just 18 years old when he started but already driven by an entrepreneurial spirit. Gian Andrea’s children, Giorgio and Francesca, joined their father when they came on age to help him supervise the family business and continue the ambitions project of a winery in constant growth.

Nowadays, Tinazzi is a consolidated family-owned enterprise with several estates and cellars located in Veneto and Apulia. The headquarter is located in Lazise, Veneto, where the whole production of the wines from this region is supervised. The family estate Tenuta Valleselleis located on the enchanting hills of Garda Lake and hosts cooking classes and special events. A recent acquisition of Tinazzi is Poderi Campopian, home of high quality Amarone and Valpolicella. In 2000s, during a trip to Salento peninsula, Gian Andrea Tinazzi comprehended the potential of Primitivo and other autochthonous grape varieties and invested in the country estate Feudo Croce. Later on, Tinazzi wineries took over the cooperative Cantine San Giorgio, which today controls the whole production of the company in Apulia.

Despite the fact that the family has made profitable investments in Apulia, the success of the winery is still largely determined by the high reputation of Valpolicella wines. In order to maximize the production of Amarone and the red wines of the Veneto region, in 2015, Tinazzi has opened an appassimento centre at Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella, where the best bunches are carefully selected during harvest, put on "plateaux", special trays for drying, and left in a drying room (fruttaio) until the following January before they are destemmed and crushed.

The core business of the Tinazzi family: Ca’ de’ Rocchi “La Bastia” Amarone della Valpolicella

Ca’ de’ Rocchi “La Bastia” has obtained many awards and reviews by the most prestigious wine competitions. The name of the wine is dedicated to a homonymous church near Cavaion Veronese, a tiny village where Cantine Tinazzi was formerly founded. This name of this wine perfectly reflects its strong connection with territory and tradition, without losing innovative elements. Ample, structured and balanced, La Bastia displays red berry and cherry aromas, with hints of chocolate and spice and balsamic notes, and it perfectly pairs with dishes of the traditional “cucina povera” (simple cooking) of Veneto, such as roast meat braised with “polenta” (boiled cornmeal).

The gem of Tinazzi’s premium collection: Poderi Campopian “Marziale” Amarone della Valpolicella.

The grapes of Marziale Amarone come from the premium site “Poderi Campopian”, a recent acquisition of the Tinazzi family, with 12 hectares of vineyards at an altitude of no less than 600 metres above sea level. Here the native grapes benefit from the excellent exposure to the sun and express their best quality wines.

The name of the wine “Marziale” is a reference to the Roman god of War, Mars, a powerful character like this Amarone. This full-bodied wine shows a deep ruby red color with garnet highlights. The aromas of ripe and dried red fruit are pronounced and hints of spices add a remarkable complexity. The mouthfeel is round and warm, with fine tannins that are well integrated and leave a very pleasant sensation. The long finish discloses Amarone's distinct flavor of chocolate.

With the production of Amarone, the work of the Tinazzi family continues with commitment and passion, with the aim of pursuing quality and continuous improvement.

Translated by ICY