Valpolicella in Italy – vineyards, wine tasting and Amarone

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Valpolicella is one of Italy’s most famous wine regions, nestled among rolling hills and vineyards just north of Verona. Amarone, Ripasso, Recioto and classic Valpolicella wines are produced here. We have visited Valpolicella several times during our motorhome trips, buying wine at cantinas and visiting vineyards – and have also had the privilege of discovering the wine valleys with friends who live in the area.

Valpolicella in northern Italy

Valpolicella is located north of Verona and east of Lake Garda and consists of a lush landscape filled with vineyards, small villages and vineyards. The area is primarily known for its red wines, especially Amarone della Valpolicella. Valpolicella, Valpolicella Ripasso and the sweet dessert wine Recioto della Valpolicella are also produced here.

What wines are made in Valpolicella?

Valpolicella is known for several different types of red wines, which can differ quite a bit in taste, body and production method. The most important are:

• Valpolicella is the area's classic red wine and is usually relatively light and fresh.
• Valpolicella Superiore has higher requirements for storage and alcohol content, among other things.
• Valpolicella Ripasso gets more body and flavor through a method where the Valpolicella wine comes into further contact with residues from the production of Amarone or Recioto.
• Amarone della Valpolicella is the area's most famous wine. The grapes are allowed to dry after harvest before being pressed, which concentrates the sugar and flavor, producing a powerful, high-alcohol, and flavorful wine.
• Recioto della Valpolicella is also made from dried grapes, but fermentation is stopped while there is still residual sugar. The result is a sweet red wine.

The wine valleys of Valpolicella

The historical core of the wine area is called Valpolicella Classica and includes Negrar, Marano, Fumane, Sant'Anna d'Alfaedo and San Pietro in Cariano.

Driving through Valpolicella is an experience even for those who are not wine experts. The roads wind through a green and hilly landscape with vines, stone houses, small villages and signs pointing the way to various wine producers.

We have visited the area several times, but one of our most memorable visits was with our friends Leif and Patrizia, who live outside Verona. With local guides we had the opportunity to discover both vineyards, cantinas and the local food scene in a way that we would hardly have done on our own.

Visiting vineyards in Valpolicella

Valpolicella is full of wine producers, from large well-known companies to smaller family-run wineries. Many welcome visitors for tastings and sales, but the opportunities for spontaneous visits vary. Therefore, if you want to visit a particular producer, it is wise to check in advance whether the visit needs to be booked.

We have visited the Viviani winery in Negrar several times ourselves. Here we have had the opportunity to taste the farm's various wines and learn more about the production, while also experiencing the personal atmosphere of a smaller winery.

Our visits to Viviani

Viviani became something of a favorite for us and we have returned here on several trips through Valpolicella. On one of our visits, Sandra Viviani welcomed us and told us about the family's various wines, from Valpolicella to Amarone.

For us, visits like this are a big part of the charm of traveling in wine regions. It's not just about which bottles you can take home in the campervan, but also about seeing the landscape where the grapes are grown and meeting the people behind the wine.

Buying wine in Valpolicella – winery or cantina?

Those who want to buy wine in Valpolicella can either buy directly from a wine producer or visit one of the area's cantinas. Buying from a producer gives you the opportunity to get to know the wines of that particular winery, while a larger cantina can offer a wider range and often has more regular opening hours.

Our visits to Cantina Valpolicella Negrar

We have visited several times Cantina Valpolicella Negrar at Via Cà Salgari 2 in Negrar. Here you will find everything from more exclusive wines and gift boxes to simpler and more affordable everyday wines.

Some cantinas also sell simpler everyday wines as ale wines, where customers bring their own containers that are filled directly on site, much like when you "fill up" at a gas station.

The first time we visited this cantina, you had to fill your own cans. The last time we were here, you had to ask the staff for help to fill the can. And if you don't have your own can – there are cans to buy. A much less formal form of wine purchase than an exclusive Amarone tasting.

At the cantina you can find good wines at reasonable prices, and there is often the opportunity to sample. On our last visit, Peter was loaded up and prepared with a hefty cart!

Please check current opening hours before visiting, as many businesses in the area have limited opening hours during parts of the day and certain days of the week.

Food and wine in Valpolicella

Wine and food go hand in hand in Valpolicella, and during one of our visits we also got to experience the area with our friends Leif and Patrizia, who live outside Verona. At their home we were treated to local cheeses and charcuterie, caprese and pasta, along with wine from the area.

It was a reminder that a wine trip in Valpolicella is not just about Amarone and vineyards. It is just as much about the local food, the small restaurants and the combination of food, wine and people.

READ MORE: Italian food - 25 classic dishes you must try

Valpolicella by motorhome

Valpolicella is a great place to discover during a motorhome trip in northern Italy. The distances are relatively short and the area can easily be combined with both Verona and Lake Garda.

We have visited Valpolicella several times ourselves by motorhome. It is of course important to keep in mind that the person tasting the wine should not drive afterwards, so if the driver also wants to taste, you may need to plan an overnight stay in connection with the tasting.

For those traveling by motorhome, there are both parking lots and campsites in the area. We have stayed overnight at a parking lot in San Pietro in Cariano, among other places.

More to see in the neighbourhood

There is much more to see and experience in this part of Italy. Here you will find tips, inspiration and several reports:

• Verona Arena
• Lake Garda
• Bergamo
• Lago d'Iseo
• Milan