Giuseppe Quintarelli Producer Profile

History Giuseppe Quintarelli (1927–2012) is universally regarded as the greatest traditional producer of Valpolicella and Amarone. The estate in Negrar, Veneto, has belonged to the Quintarelli family since the early 1900s, but “Bepi” Quintarelli elevated it to legendary status beginning in the 1950s. After his death in 2012, his daughter Fiorenza, son-in-law Giampaolo, and grandchildren Francesco and Lorenzo continue to run the winery with unchanged philosophy and methods. The estate remains tiny (12 hectares) and releases wines only when they meet Quintarelli's uncompromising standards – sometimes skipping vintages entirely.

Viticulture Philosophy Quintarelli farms 12 hectares of old, pergola-trained vines on limestone-rich hills in the classic Valpolicella zone (Negrar, Marano, Sant’Ambrogio). Varieties are traditional Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Croatina, and Sangiovese. No herbicides or systemic treatments are used; everything is done by hand. Yields are kept extremely low (often below 30 hl/ha) through multiple green harvests. The family believes the best wine is made in the vineyard, not the cellar.

Winemaking Techniques Quintarelli's methods are archaic and obsessive:

• Valpolicella Superiore and Amarone are made only from grapes dried on bamboo racks (appassimento) for 3–4 months (even the “base” Valpolicella receives some dried grapes). Fermentations are long (up to 45–60 days) with indigenous yeasts in large Slavonian oak vats. Amarone ages 7–8 years in large Slavonian botti; the legendary Alzero (Cabernet-based) and Amabile del Ceré (sweet Recioto-style) receive even longer élevage. Bottling occurs without filtration; wines often spend additional years in bottle before release. Production is tiny and irregular – a “normal” year yields only 40,000–50,000 bottles total.

Critics and Journalist Praises Quintarelli is the uncontested benchmark for traditional Amarone and Valpolicella.

• Antonio Galloni (Vinous): “Quintarelli remains the reference point for traditionally made Amarone… wines of extraordinary beauty, pedigree and longevity.” Regularly awards 95–100 points.
• Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): 100-point scores for multiple Amarone vintages, calling them “monumental” and “the pinnacle of the appellation.”
• The Amarone 2004 and 2007 both received perfect 100-point scores from major critics. Collectors and sommeliers worldwide revere the wines for their ethereal complexity, endless evolution, and ability to age 30–50+ years while remaining fresh and vibrant. Quintarelli bottles are among the most sought-after and expensive Italian reds.