Les Lagosés Estate: Above the Mist, Beyond Tradition

Located in Negrar, north of Verona, Le Lagose Estate occupies the highest point in the Valpolicella region at an altitude of 350 metres (1,148 feet), overlooking the gentle, green hills below and providing the backdrop for one of Italy's finest family-run wineries.

In 1969, winemaker Arnaldo Galli and his wife Marta purchased 70 acres of land that had been abandoned for many years. They noticed that many excellent vineyards had been abandoned compared to the more easily cultivated flat land, so they replanted the vineyards on the slopes. They produce Amarone and Valpolicella wines, living as closely as possible to nature, allowing the voice of the land to be reflected in their wines.

Today, the 40-acre terraced vineyard spans a steep, southwest-facing slope, safely sheltered from the winter fog that lingers in the valley below. The clay soil, rich in magnesium, calcium, and iron, combined with a well-drained tuff substrate, provides ideal conditions for the appassimento (shade-drying) process essential to Amarone. It also allows for the ripening of small quantities of indigenous varietals that are difficult for other producers to cultivate. None of the vineyards are irrigated, and the steep slopes are worked by hand.

The wines are aged in large Slavonian oak barrels, as well as experimental new and used barrels from Allier and Tronçais, France, allowing Les Lagosés wines to faithfully express the delicate terroir of their region.

Marta Galli, known as "La Signora del Vino" (The Lady of Wine), was named "Wine Maker of the World" in 1990 for her contributions to re-establishing Valpolicella as an Italian classic and contributing to its DOC status. She is also a founding member of VIDE, an organization promoting excellence and individuality in small, family-run wineries, and Le Donne del Vino, an international network of women in wine.

Now run by Paolo (manager) and Marco (agronomist and winemaker), with third-generation winemaker Marta Galli in charge of marketing and sales, Le Lagosé continues its vision: that even the simplest wines will age beautifully over the years, reflecting the spirit of their slopes in every drop.