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About Winery and Wines
In the heart of Valpolicella Classica, not far from the center of Negrar Di Valpolicella, rises the Antica Corte Forlago (Ancient Corte Forlago), in the historical district where the Franchini family has been passionately pursuing its wine tradition for generations. The estate and the vineyards extend over a hilly surface of about 5 hectares, at an altitude ranging from 280 up to 500 meters above sea level.
A long and careful genealogical research traced back the “Franchini” family name to the “Franks”, original inhabitants of the ancient Gaul and settlers in Northern Italy.
Antica Corte Forlago and its vineyards, grown using the typical Pergola veronese, offer a panoramic view on the wide valley below and is lifelike testimony of the charm of the ancient Corte. In the past, manual labour was the main feature both in the fields and in the winemaking process. Over the centuries, the art of Italian craftsmanship has deeply shaped this land leaving lasting traces of ancient times, such as the Roman mosaic floor (ca. 300 AD) recently found under some vineyards around the estate. The main symbol of the past is the underground icehouse (nevera) which represents the essential core of the winery.
Nowadays, the old winemaking techniques leading to the creation of the wine are still respected in all their aspects. The whole production is carried out following the tradition and with great respect for nature, starting from the pruning, natural fertilisation and attention to grape bunches, up to the harvesting. The natural appassimento (drying process) and all other stages of wine-making are carried out with special artisanal attention. All our best wines have a special paper label applied by hand to convey the exclusiveness of each bottle.
Our vineyards
All the 5 hectares are located in a hilly area at an altitude that reaches about 500 metres above sea level and guarantees an excellent temperature range between day and night. The fields are all divided in terraces called marogne, dry stone walls that enable to grow vines on a steep slope and, at the same time, ensure great exposure to the sun. The idea behind their construction is to facilitate the drainage of water towards the valley.
Our wines
Passion, creativity and wisdom are skilfully combined to create an exclusive product, capable to convey unique emotions. Our wines express the bond between people and their land, embodying the soul and experience of the Franchini family. Our annual production is limited to 20.000-25.000 bottles, the quantity we can achieve with the grapes coming uniquely from the 5 hectares of the family estate. This choice wants to ensure the highest quality possible for an exclusive and elegant wine.
We produce the tipical Valpolicella's wines: Valpolicella Classico DOC, Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore DOC; Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Recioto della Valpolicella Classioc DOCG. We also produce some IGT wines: Azzardo (red wine), Imperivm (red wine), Candidvs (white wine), Passito Bianco (sweet wine).
Our certifications
FIVI (Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers) has the goal to represent the winegrower towards the institutions. It promotes the quality and authenticity of Italian wines.
It groups together winegrowers who cultivate their vineyards, produce and bottle their own wines with particular attention to their products.
As an indepent winegrower, we take care of every phase of the wine process, from the manual pruning and harvesting to the retailing of our products.
CERVIM (Heroic Viticulture) is an association, whose main objectives of this
certification aim to preserve, sustain, enhance and promote mountain viticulture and/or relief in difficult conditions (steep slopes and terraces).
Two of our vineyards (Monte Marognin and Costa d’Angelo) have met two of the four requirements in order to be certified as “heroic vineyards”:
wine production on land with a terrain gradient greater than 30%;
wine production on terraces and steep slopes.