The Brigaldara name appears in deeds from the twelfth century, long before anyone in the Cesari family thought of bottling wine here. The farmhouse on the slopes of Monte Masua has grown vines, olives, fruit, and cereals for as long as records exist.
Backstory
Renzo Cesari bought Brigaldara in 1928 and began to specialize in viticulture alongside his son Lamberto. His grandson Stefano took over in the 1980s and worked closely with Roberto Ferrarini, an influential figure in the modernization of Amarone. Around 2000, Stefano's sons Lamberto and Antonio launched a renewal of the estate's production methods.
The Region
The estate sits in the Valpolicella zone of Veneto, on the foothills of Monte Masua between San Floriano and Valgatara in the Marano Valley. This is the heartland of Amarone, where the practice of drying grapes after harvest has shaped the wines for generations. The headquarters are in San Pietro in Cariano, in the province of Verona.
Vineyards & Farming
Brigaldara covers roughly 120 hectares, of which 48 are planted to vines. The holdings spread across several sites, including San Floriano, Marano, Marcellise, and the Case Vecie and Cavolo vineyards at Grezzana. The estate works its vineyards and cellar along sustainable lines. The classic Valpolicella varieties grow here: Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, all native to the region.
Winemaking
For Amarone and Recioto, the grapes are dried after harvest in a process known as appassimento, which concentrates sugars and flavor before fermentation. Brigaldara built its modern reputation on this style. In 1997 the estate's Amarone earned Tre Bicchieri from the Gambero Rosso guide for the first time, a benchmark moment for the family.
The Wines
The range runs from fresh Valpolicella through Valpolicella Ripasso to the concentrated Amarone della Valpolicella, including the single-vineyard Case Vecie bottling and a Riserva. Together they trace the full arc of the appellation, from everyday drinking reds to the dense, age-worthy wines that made the family's name.
