The Rizzardi family established their first vineyards in Valpolicella in 1649, when Carlo Rizzardi bought the property with a cellar and vineyards.  In 1678 they bottled their first wine. Today, the family holdings amount to over 100 hectares in Bardolino, Valpolicella, and Soave. The winery is famed for offering single vineyard expressions of each of these three iconic regions. Flash to 1783, and Antonio Rizzardi owns and runs the family property. His creation of the garden of Pojega brought the Villa Rizzardi to world fame. The gardens are still famous for their Boxwood theatre, and the stunning Villa Rizzardi’s architecture and landscaping, particularly after the estates restoration in the 1850’s.

The twentieth century would prove to be the most tumultuous in modern European history. However, for the Rizzardi’s it would mean a period of growth and adaptation. In 1913, the union of the Guerrieri and Rizzardi was formalized.  The first vintage of wine under the Guerrieri-Rizzardi was released in 1914. In the aftermath of WWII, Count Antonio Rizzardi modernized the vineyards, moving away from polyculture, to exclusively wine grapes. In the 1970’s, the Soave estate was acquired, along with a cellar in the village of Costeggiola.

When Antonio passed away in 1983, his wife Maria Cristina Rizzardi Loredan was forced into taking over the management of the family operations. It was during her time that the family business expanded their vineyard holdings, developed new wines, and implemented the “Cru” concept to showcase the single vineyards. She would also go on to be awarded the Cavaliere del Lavoro by the Italian Preseident for her work and commitment to olive oil, during her time as the President of the Garda Oil Protection Consortium in the mid 80’s.

During the late 1990’s Giuseppe, Orsola, Olimpia, and Agostino Rizzardi rise to become the next generation to run Guerrieri-Rizzardi. Their focus continues to be the production of estate produced and bottled wines. They continue to increase their vineyard holdings and adapt to the needs of those spaced. Additionally, they have joined the Historical Wine Families’ Association and the Les Henokiens Association, the latter which is an association for 200 plus year old family businesses. Additionally, they have added agrotourismo and hospitality to their operations.

The Valpolicella vineyards amount to some 25 hectares, and along with the cellars are located in Negrar, one of the 5 municipalities of the Valpolicella Classico zone. Only 5 of the 19 municipalties of Valpolicella are located in the Classico subregion. The vineyards themselves are delineated into 25 subplots, and sit an average altitude of 200 meters above sea level.  The soils are clay subsoiled, with a goodish amount of limestone throughout. They are densely planted, and the vines average around 40 years of age. Grape varieties at this site include; Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Barbera, Merlot, and Sangiovese.

3Cru Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

This is made from Corvinone, Corvina, Rondinella, Barbera, and Sangiovese from vines averaging around 35 years of age.  The grapes are sourced from three cru vineyards in the commune of Negrar di Valpolicella. The soils here are clay and sandy, with limestone. The grapes are dried naturally for 3-5 months in the ancient drying rooms at family winery in Negrar di Valpolicella. Fermentation is done in stainless steel under controlled temperatures. The wine is aged 12 months in 225 Liters oak barrels and 24 months in 250 Liter oak barrels. 3Cru is luscious, with black cherry, blackberries, black plumb, black licorice, and dried violets. The mouthfeel is dense and silky, with medium tannins, and moderate acid which adds needed levity. Drink with braised shortribs, black olive tapenade, lamb stew, and wild mushroom ragout.