Vigneti di Ettore

The estate was established in 1930, but the grapes started being vinified in 2011. Ettore Righetti, the owner and manager, was the Director and President of Cantina di Negrar, a cooperative. Ettore is supported by his grandson Gabriele, who will shortly finish his studies in oenology. The 5 hectares of vineyards stand on the hills of Negrar, within the Valpolicella Classica zone, at an altitude between 250 and 400 meters above sea level. The vineyards are divided into two plots, on the western slope and on the eastern slope of the valley of Negrar, one with a south-west exposure and one with a south-east exposure. The soil is quite varied: alluvial, basaltic tuff of volcanic origin and clayey. All the soils are skeletal, a characteristic that makes the wines very flavourful, fresh and elegant. The vineyards are planted with the traditional and indigenous varieties of Valpolicella: Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Croatina, Molinara, Pelara, Oseleta. The vines are between 15 and 40 years old. The total average production is 40,000 bottles and the complete range of Valpolicella wines is produced. The harvest is carried out by hand, the grapes are placed in boxes of a capacity of 6.5 kilograms. At first the grapes for Valpolicella Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto are picked, then the grapes for Valpolicella and the IGT/proprietary wine “Doline” are picked. The vineyard management is strictly environment friendly and the estate is practicing organic. The aim of this estate is to produce “classical” wines that can express the character of these indigenous varieties and of this very special zone. Therefore, the practices in the cellar are not invasive with a very careful use of wood. Ettore and Gabriele prefer wines that are fresh, with a right amount of acidity which makes them pleasant to drink and able to age for a long time. They like clean, well balanced and elegant wines.