Just north of Verona, between the Adige River and the foothills of the Lessini Mountains, Valpolicella unfolds through green valleys, terraced vineyards, stone villages, and historic country estates. Wine has been produced here since ancient Roman times, and the name Valpolicella is traditionally interpreted as the “valley of many cellars.”

Its varied altitudes, slopes, exposures, and soils create a mosaic of distinctive terroirs. Native grape varieties such as Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella form the foundation of the region’s most celebrated wines.

Valpolicella is fresh, fragrant, and lively, while Ripasso gains greater structure through a second fermentation on the pomace of Amarone or Recioto. Recioto, the valley’s historic sweet wine, is produced from grapes slowly dried through the traditional appassimento process.

Amarone was born from an unexpected mistake. According to local tradition, a barrel of Recioto was forgotten and continued fermenting until almost all its sugars were transformed into alcohol. The sweet wine had become surprisingly dry, powerful, and complex. What was initially called a “Recioto amaro” eventually became Amarone, one of Italy’s most prestigious wines.

Yet the true character of Valpolicella lies in the people behind these great wines. Despite Amarone’s international reputation, the region is still shaped predominantly by small, family-run wineries. Vineyards, cellars, knowledge, and traditions are passed from one generation to the next.

Exploring Valpolicella with Athesis Way means entering the producers’ homes, meeting their families, and discovering the human stories behind every bottle. Here, wine is not separate from the social fabric: it is the very thread that holds the territory together.

So, what are you waiting for? Join us and…