Exploring Valpolicella: Amarone & the Casks Behind the Whisky
Exploring Valpolicella: Amarone & the Casks Behind the Whisky
As part of my travels to learn more about the casks used to age whisky, I spent time in Valpolicella, a wine region in northeastern Italy renowned for Amarone. This journey gave me not only a new understanding of the wine but also set the foundation for our very first Summerton Wine Experience.
The Valpolicella Region
Valpolicella’s winemaking tradition dates back to ancient Greek influences, when partially dried grapes were used in a “Greek style.” By the 12th century, the region was referred to as Vallis Polis Cellae — the “valley of many cellars.” Nestled outside Verona, the area benefits from Lake Garda’s breezes and the protection of the Lessini Mountains, creating a mosaic of microclimates ideal for grape growing.
The Birth of Amarone
Amarone della Valpolicella is a rich, dry red wine made primarily from Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, with smaller contributions from Oseleta and Negrara. The grapes are dried for around 100 days in well-ventilated fruttai, losing up to 40% of their water before being pressed and fermented. Ageing in oak barrels for two years or more creates a wine of exceptional intensity, layered with dried fruits, spices, and a velvety finish. First marketed in 1953, Amarone quickly set itself apart from the sweeter Recioto wines of the region.
My Experience in Valpolicella
Valpolicella is my kind of wine region: vineyards everywhere, with open doors inviting you to walk in and taste. Within 30 minutes of my hotel I could stroll to nine different producers. My first taste of Amarone, having only experienced it before through whisky, was a revelation — thick, complex, full of flavour. I was hooked.
I spent a week exploring, making contacts, and sampling outstanding local produce, from olive oil pressed just three days earlier to wines aged in traditional cherry wood casks. One highlight was meeting the grandson of one of the men credited with creating Amarone as we know it today, and touring cellars built into old mines.
This trip inspired our first Summerton Wine Experience, sharing a beautiful organic Amarone with Members. It also reinforced my desire to source Amarone casks for our whisky maturation — something you’ll be able to taste in future Summerton releases.
Amarone & Whisky
The first whisky I tried aged in Amarone casks was Mackmyra Skordetid, years ago — and it was fantastic. While Amarone casks have been rare in whisky, their presence is growing, with exciting bottlings from Arran and Glencadam. Amarone brings bold dried fruit richness, spice, and depth — a perfect complement for whisky maturation.
Suggestion For a 5 Day Valpolicella Wine & Whisky Cask Road Trip
Valpolicella is a dream for wine lovers and whisky enthusiasts alike. Amarone, with its rich dried-fruit character, has become one of the most exciting cask types for finishing whisky, bringing deep complexity and velvet richness. This 5-day itinerary blends vineyard visits, historic cellar tours, and the chance to see where Amarone’s influence on whisky truly begins.
Day 1: Arrival in Verona → Valpolicella
Wineries to Visit
- First Local Vineyard (Negrar or Fumane)
Overview: Start your trip with a gentle tasting at a family-run Valpolicella Classico producer within walking distance of your accommodation.
Highlight: Compare Valpolicella Classico, Superiore, and Ripasso wines.
Accommodation
Agriturismo Corte Formigar (Negrar) – €85/night
Rustic vineyard stay with onsite tastings.
Website
Dinner Recommendation
Trattoria Caprini, Torbe
Dish: Risotto all’Amarone (€18).
Website
Scenic Stop
Verona City Centre — explore Juliet’s balcony, the Roman Arena, and wine bars.
Driving Details
Verona Airport → Negrar: ~30 minutes (20 km).
Evening: Local tastings by foot.
Open Day 1 in Google Maps
Day 2: Amarone Origins & Ripasso Tastings
Wineries to Visit
- Family-run Vineyard (Negrar)
Overview: Learn about Amarone’s appassimento process in drying lofts (fruttai).
Tasting: Valpolicella Classico, Ripasso, Amarone. - Fumane Estate
Overview: Larger producer offering vertical tastings of Amarone vintages.
Highlight: Compare Amarone from different decades.
Accommodation
Agriturismo Corte Formigar (stay another night)
Dinner Recommendation
Enoteca della Valpolicella, Fumane
Dish: Braised beef cheeks in Amarone sauce (€22).
Website
Scenic Stop
Lessini Foothills — sunset drive for panoramic views across the vineyards to Lake Garda.
Driving Details
Negrar → Fumane: ~15 minutes (10 km).
Fumane → Lessini scenic viewpoint: ~20 minutes.
Open Day 2 in Google Maps
Day 3: Historic Cellars & Olive Oil
Wineries to Visit
- Sant’Ambrogio Underground Cellars
Overview: Explore historic mine-carved wine cellars — naturally cool and atmospheric.
Tasting: Amarone and Recioto side by side. - Cherry Wood Barrel Vineyard
Overview: Learn about the tradition of ageing wine in cherry wood barrels.
Highlight: Rare tasting of cherry wood-matured Amarone.
Accommodation
Agriturismo Corte Formigar (3rd night)
Dinner Recommendation
Trattoria alla Porchetta, San Pietro in Cariano
Dish: Handmade bigoli pasta with Valpolicella sauce (€15).
Scenic Stop
Olive Oil Frantoio — taste freshly pressed olive oils from local groves.
Driving Details
Negrar → Sant’Ambrogio: ~20 minutes.
Sant’Ambrogio → San Pietro in Cariano: ~15 minutes.
Open Day 3 in Google Maps
Day 4: Organic Vineyards & Verona Evening
Wineries to Visit
- Organic Vineyard (Marano or Negrar)
Overview: Sustainable Amarone production with biodynamic practices.
Tasting: Compare organic Amarone with conventional styles.
Accommodation
Boutique Hotel in Verona – €95/night
Stay in the city for a cultural finale.
Dinner Recommendation
Ristorante 12 Apostoli, Verona
Dish: Risotto all’Amarone with fine dining experience (€25).
Website
Scenic Stop
Verona — explore Juliet’s balcony, Piazza delle Erbe, and the Roman Arena.
Driving Details
Negrar → Marano organic vineyard: ~15 minutes.
Marano → Verona city centre: ~30 minutes.
Open Day 4 in Google Maps
Day 5: Farewell Tasting & Departure
Wineries to Visit
- Final Local Vineyard (Negrar or Fumane)
Overview: Begin your last morning with a relaxed tasting at a nearby boutique producer. A chance to revisit Amarone, Ripasso, or Superiore styles and pick up bottles to take home.
Lunch Recommendation
Lakeside Restaurant, Bardolino (Lake Garda)
Dish: Grilled lake fish with a glass of Valpolicella Superiore (€20).
Enjoy a final meal overlooking the water, with time for an espresso or stroll along the lakeside promenade.
Scenic Stop
Lake Garda (Bardolino) — a peaceful farewell setting, offering views across Italy’s largest lake, just a short drive from Valpolicella.
Driving Details
Negrar → Bardolino: ~40 minutes (30 km).
Bardolino → Verona Airport: ~30 minutes (25 km).
Open Day 5 in Google Maps
Reflections
This journey through Valpolicella showed why Amarone casks have so much potential for whisky. Amarone’s bold dried fruit, spice, and velvety textures transfer beautifully into the spirit. It’s no wonder more distilleries, from Arran to Glencadam, are embracing these casks. For Summerton, this trip was also the spark for our very first Wine Experience — one that set the bar high for what’s to come.
