Novaia Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG Corte Vaona 2016

Atop a gentle hill, a sprawling 15th-century manor house overlooking the Marano Valley and the plains leading to Verona: Novaia stands in the picturesque High Valpolicella Classica. The name Novaia signifies a new court and family in the Marano Valley. The Vaona family moved into the villa in the 1700s, acquiring surrounding lands and becoming prominent local figures.

Throughout the 1800s, the estate expanded, making the Vaona family one of the region's leading landowners. The family produced grapes, wines, olive oil, cherries, corn, and silkworms. The estate flourished commercially under Paolo Vaona's innovative leadership in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Paolo was the first in the area to bottle and sell wines beyond the province, earning national acclaim and numerous awards.

In the 1930s, Paolo's sons, Renato and Bruno, joined the family business. Bruno distinguished himself with his dedication to the family and his passion for music. After Paolo and Bruno passed away, Bruno's sons, Cesare and Giampaolo, continued the family tradition, renaming the estate Novaia and embracing new winemaking technologies.

In 2005, the fourth generation, Cristina and Marcello, joined the company, initiating the conversion of the estate to organic production. Today, Cesare, Giampaolo, Cristina, and Marcello uphold the ancient family trade, ensuring Novaia's legacy continues.

Located in north-eastern Italy, Veneto boasts a deep-rooted history that extends from its early days under the Roman Empire, transitioning through the influential Republic of Venice, and later becoming part of the Austrian Empire until its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy in 1866. This historical legacy positions Veneto as a significant region in Italy's cultural and viticultural narratives.

Geographically smaller than some of Italy's renowned wine-producing regions like Piedmont and Tuscany, Veneto is, nonetheless, the country's top wine producer. Its terroir is varied, with distinct geographical zones each offering unique climatic and soil conditions. To the northwest, the alpine foothills border Lake Garda, while the eastern region hosts Valpolicella, renowned for its red wines. Further east lies Soave, Gambellara, and the Colli Euganei region near Padua, known for distinct white varietals. The region spans 90,000 hectares, with 35,400 hectares designated as DOC. Notably, the last two decades have seen an increasing interest in organic and natural wine practices in Veneto.

In Veneto, the spectrum of wines is broad, with a focus on both red and white varietals. Red wines prominently feature grapes such as Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara, essential for producing the celebrated Amarone, Ripasso, and Recioto wines. On the white wine front, Garganega is the foundation of Soave, exhibiting characteristics of citrus and almond, while Glera, previously known as Prosecco, forms the base for the eponymous sparkling wine. Pinot Grigio and Trebbiano di Soave further diversify the white wine portfolio. The synergy between Veneto's wines and its regional cuisine, ranging from seafood delicacies of the Adriatic to traditional dishes like bigoli pasta, underscores the region's rich gastronomic heritage.