Santa Sofia, Veneto, Italy
The Winery
“It is located in an extremely beautiful site, atop a hill that is not at all steep, which reveals part of the city and lies between two small valleys: all the hills round about are very agreeable and replete with substantial amounts of water; hence this estate is adorned with gardens and marvellous fountains.” Andrea Palladio
As you read this sentence, imagine that you are in Valpolicella, exploring the wine region, and that you turn at a certain point into a tree-shaded road, following the directions of a sign that says “Villa Santa Sofia”. At the end of the road there is a little clearing where you can park your car, some barrels and a small door under a large wrought-iron sign that reads “Cantine Santa Sofia”.
Of ancient vines and of modern vignerons
Santa Sofia in Valpolicella means two centuries of quality, two centuries of great wines that carry on the local tradition, a Palladian villa for a noble and respected family-run business. 50 years ago the Begnoni family arrived in Santa Sofia, thus beginning a new positioning and a new awareness: the winery experiences a little but significant “eno-cultural” revolution through the production network and the knowledge of the territory. Giancarlo and Luciano Begnoni created a stronger corporate identity working on high quality labels and aiming at the international marketplace, but most of all working side by side with the experts of their territory, selecting the best together with the people who take care of the vineyards. The Begnoni family thus started a virtuous circle based on regular meetings, seasons that go by while the mutual respect grows as well as the eagerness for making genuine, excellent wines that follow the values of their territory: uniqueness, longevity and elegance.
The foundation of the historic cellars
Santa Sofia winery was born two hundred years ago in Pedemonte, one of the most beautiful areas of Valpolicella. The estate has been involved in wine making since 1811 and is the symbol of the winery. It was designed by Andrea Palladio in 1565, when Marcantonio Serego decided to renovate the estate, which belonged to his family since 1552. The villa is a typical example of Italian architecture, and is a UNESCO world heritage site since 1996, along with other Palladian villas in Veneto. Ever since the mid-19th century, Santa Sofia was praised for the high quality of its wines, made with carefully selected grapes from the richest and most sun-drenched hills of the surrounding area. The wine-making traditions of this place date to far more remote times: a part of the ancient cellars under the villa, which can still be visited, was used for wine ageing as far back as in the XIV and XV centuries. The oldest part of the cellar was built by the friars of San Bernardino in 1300, when they also erected the chapel devoted to Santa Sofia. Santa Sofia has always been a source of inspiration for those who live here, her presence permeates the lives of those who work this land with respect and devotion.
Santa Sofia, Valpolicella Classico
Vinification
Destemming and pressing of the grapes.
Maceration: about 7-8 days in stainless steel tanks.
Maturation and ageing
3-6 months in stainless steel tanks.
About 3 months in the bottle.
Sensory impressions
A clean ruby hue with brilliant undertones, an intense aroma of red flowers, cherry, raspberry, red currant, and base notes of spicy cinnamon and coffee: a bouquet of extraordinary harmony, elegance and richness. The palate has a rich mouthfeel, the tannins, very vibrant and with a good grip, give it a fine structure; the correct levels of acidity and alcohol contribute to creating a perfectly balanced and most enjoyable wine.
Recommended food pairings
Valpolicella pairs with a great variety of dishes, depending on its age. When young, it is the perfect wine for the more traditional cured meat cuts of Veneto, such as soppressa, as well as risotto, in particular that made with chicken livers. At a riper age, served in wide-brimmed glasses, it honors braised meat and liver Veneziana. A delightful marriage is that with stewed stockfish or baccalà and Lake Garda pike in sauce.
Santa Sofia, Valpolicella Ripasso 2019
Vinification
Destemming and pressing of the grapes.
Maceration: about 10 days in stainless steel tanks.
Ripasso technique: 3 days of maceration and second fermentation of the Valpolicella Classico with grapes from Amarone and Recioto vinification.
Maturation and ageing
9 months in 50 hl oak barrels.
Approximately 6 months in the bottle.
Sensory impressions
A clear, remarkably brilliant ruby red colour, with ruby-garnet hues visible at the edge of the glass, it offers a powerful nose, redolent of sour cherries in spirit, prunes, a potpourri of dry flowers, underbrush, cloves, fine oak, cinnamon and roots of liquorice: an ample bouquet, alluring and aristocratic. The palate is concentrated, with a silky, velvety texture, an extremely dynamic acidity and a pleasant strength; in brief, a big wine, with a long, clean finish.
Recommended food pairings
A versatile wine, it easily pairs with pasta with meat sauce, semi-firm cheeses and cured meat cuts. At a riper age, it makes a perfect marriage with capon and guinea fowl, roast veal, pork ribs with sauerkraut or Wiener schnitzels.