Allegrini's History and Philosophy 

Valpolicella in northern Italy has undergone a significant revolution during the past generation. The area has long been known as an important source of wine in both national and international markets, and houses such as Bertani and Bolla were already producing significant quantities of bottled wine, something rare in the Italy of the time, eventually from the twentieth century.

The area remains a substantial source of wine today, with almost five thousand hectares of vineyards and something like 2,400 different growers within the denomination. The best wine in the area, Amarone della Valpolicella, can now boast a wider production than that of the Tuscan Brunello di Montalcino and Piedmontese Barolo. But this has not always been the situation. For many decades, until the 80s, to tell the truth, Valpolicella was known for wines that were good to drink in restaurants or bistros, fruity, which went well with many different dishes and cuisines, but not as an area that aspired to compete with the best bottles of the main denominations of Italy.

This has totally changed, however, in the time of a generation, thanks to the work of the main companies in the area. Among these, we must certainly mention Allegrini, a company founded in 1854 and capable of making itself appreciated immediately, but the real success came after the 1950s, thanks to the passion and work of Giovanni Allegrini, a man who lived for (and almost in ) its cells. The succession was very fortunate, which is not always frequent with the distinguished wines or any other sort of economic activity: Franco Allegrini (at the vineyards and cellar) and Marilisa Allegrini (sales, marketing and image) showed uncommon talents and have led family businesses to acquire real power both nationally and internationally.

The wines of Allegrini

And not only in Veneto, Allegrini are now producers also in Montalcino and Bolgheri in Tuscany. But the heart of the business remains in the Veneto region and logically consists of an impeccably excellent Valpolicella Classico, Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella, the latter with a name that rightly celebrates Giovanni Allegrini. Not to mention the creative offers created by Allegrini: La Grola, La Poja and Palazzo della Torre.

She is Marilisa Allegrini, CEO of Allegrini, one of the most respected and highly acclaimed wineries of Italy. It is located in the storied wine growing region of Valpolicella. Allegrini is world-renowned in particular for their exceptional production of the iconic wine Amarone. She is known as the “Voice of Amarone” and been often described as a “Wine Star”. 

 Marilisa is the first Italian woman wine producer to grace the cover of one of the most respected and famous wine magazines in the world, The Wine Spectator. Since the early 1980’s Marilisa has been traveling the world sharing her passion for both the wines of Allegrini and the region of Valpolicella. 

I had the opportunity to meet with the dynamic CEO of what today is regarded as one of the leading producers not only in this region but also in Italy as a whole.