Ca' la Bionda is located in the commune of Marano di Valpolicella in the heart of the Classico zone of Valpolicella. Founded by Pietro Castellani in 1902, the estate is comprised of over 29 hectares of vineyards that range from the old-vine, pergola-trained parcels carved into hillside terraces from which Alessandro makes the savory and powerful Amarone and Ripasso wines to the guyot-trained parcels of the flagship vineyard, CasalVegri. All of Ca' la Bionda’s vines are rooted in limestone-rich soils that bring out a chalky minerality in their Corvina-based wines, unlike almost any other producer in the region. Practicing organic farming for a generation (certified for 7 years), Alessandro and his brother Nicola — their family’s fourth generation — have carefully selected the best of their own vines to propagate as they plant new sites.

The Casal Vegri Valpolicella is a blend of 70% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, and 10% Rondinella, made from a single vineyard that is devoted exclusively to the production of Valpolicella: no grapes are used for Amarone, Ripasso, or any other red wines. Vines here average 25 years of age and are grown on clay-limestone soils. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, after which 90% is aged in 3,000 liter barrels and the remaining 10% in small oak barriques. Aromas of small red and forest fruits dominate the nose. On the palate the wine is a rich medium body, with silky smooth tannins and a vibrant acidity to balance the concentration of fruit flavors. Pair with roasted meats and spicy dishes.