Veneto Through My Eyes: A Winemaker’s Journey Into a Land of History, Beauty, and Ripasso Traditions

Introduction to the region: Veneto

As a winemaker, I’ve learned that understanding a wine means understanding the land that gives it life. And few regions speak as loudly—through history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes—as Veneto. Most people picture Venice first, of course. How could they not? Thomas Mann once called it “half fairy tale and half tourist trap,” and even today that line is painfully accurate.

I’ll admit it: the first time I visited Venice back in 2007, I fell right into that tourist trap. Lodging? Wrong choice. Restaurants? No research. But sometimes the mistakes make the best memories—and teach you exactly what to do next time.

In 2011, I returned with a different approach, and everything changed. I stayed in a beautiful, central Airbnb with windows that opened directly over the canals. Gondolas drifting by like clockwork, sunlight dancing on the water, and St. Mark’s Square just a short walk away. In Venice, location isn’t just convenience—it becomes part of the entire experience.

Tourism may be one of the last strong industries left on the island, and many family homes have become rentals because of it. But that also means visitors can stay inside historic houses, live like locals once did, and feel the heartbeat of the city from the inside.

Beyond the Floating City: Padova, Verona, and the Quiet Beauty of the Region

Everyone knows Venice. Fewer know Padova, and that’s a shame—because Padova is a jewel. It’s the city I personally connect with most in Veneto. Its artistic heritage is extraordinary, yet often overlooked. I’ll dive deeper into this in future posts, but trust me: if you want an itinerary that feels more local and less predictable, Padova belongs on your list.

Then there’s Verona, the city where I spent a weekend with my mom back in 2010. A simple getaway, no complicated planning, but one of those trips where the city itself guides you. Roman relics, medieval streets, and that soft Italian light that makes everything feel nostalgic—even while you’re still living it.

And let’s not forget Lake Garda—Italy’s largest lake, touching three regions, including Veneto. It offers something unique: alpine breezes meeting Mediterranean warmth. Vineyards, lemon groves, and deep blue water all share the same horizon. It’s the kind of place where you slow down without trying.

A Land Built by the Sea: The Legacy of the Venetian Republic

Most people have heard, vaguely, that Venice was once a republic. But when you look deeper—especially as someone like me who cares about how culture shapes taste—you discover a history that explains so much about the Venetian character.

The Republic of Venice, La Serenissima, lasted for over a thousand years—from 697 to 1797. A maritime superpower. A floating empire. A thalassocracy, as the historians say. Its rule stretched across the Adriatic, down the Dalmatian coast into what is now Croatia.

This shared history left traces everywhere—from architecture to the food traditions you’ll still find along the Croatian seaside.

My own connection to Venice’s later history comes from years of teaching and discussing Shakespeare’s Othello. The play takes place during the Venetian war for Cyprus in the early 1570s. Shakespeare never visited Europe, yet he captured the tension, the politics, the complexity of Venetian power with surprising accuracy.

When you walk into the Doge’s Palace, you’re walking directly into the political heart of that thousand-year republic. Suddenly, the stories make sense.

The Modern Veneto: A Rising Star of Italian Wine

Today, Veneto has earned a new reputation—sparkling, literally. Prosecco’s international boom has brought new attention to Valdobbiadene, where steep hillsides produce the best of the best. Travelers are discovering that Veneto offers more than Venice: it offers a complete regional experience where wine, food, nature, and history all intertwine.

This shift is something I witness firsthand as a winemaker. People aren’t just buying bottles—they want to know the story of the land, the families, and the traditions behind them. Veneto delivers all of that effortlessly.

Where My Craft Meets Its Roots: The Wines of Veneto

There’s a reason so many beloved Italian wines come from this region. Veneto has diversity: mountains, lakes, breezes, volcanic soils, limestone hills. These natural elements create perfect conditions for growing character-rich grapes.

Prosecco, Soave, Valpolicella, Amarone, Bardolino—the list is long. But one style, in particular, captures the heart of Venetian innovation and tradition: Ripasso.

And among those wines, one has become especially dear to me in my work:
the Ripasso Corte del Sole.

Corte del Sole Ripasso: A Wine Crafted With Respect for Tradition and a Winemaker’s Touch

As a winemaker, this is the kind of bottle that makes you proud—because it reflects everything that makes Veneto special.

A Second Fermentation That Transforms Everything

The Ripasso method is simple in theory, but magical in practice. After the initial fermentation, the young Valpolicella is passed over the pomace of Amarone. This kicks off a second fermentation that gives the wine more body, more structure, more color, and more depth.

It’s like giving the wine a second soul. A rebirth.

Time, Oak, and Patience

Once the fermentation completes, the wine rests in oak barrels and large casks for at least 18 months. This is where the subtle notes of vanilla, toasted wood, and warm spice develop.

After that, I insist on another 8 months of bottle aging—because great wine deserves time to find its balance.

Aromas and Flavors That Speak of the Land

In the glass, the wine shines with ruby red tones and garnet reflections.
The aromas are intense and persistent:

• wild berries

• ripe cherries

• dried flowers

• cinnamon and nutmeg

• a touch of earth and warmth

On the palate, it is rich, structured, and long-lasting—with refined tannins that tell you immediately this wine was crafted with care.

The Dishes That Make This Wine Sing

This Ripasso pairs beautifully with food that cooks slowly and tastes deeply:

• braised beef

• roasted game

• hearty stews

• aged cheeses

• rich, savory sauces

Food and wine should elevate each other—and this one does it naturally.

In Every Glass, A Piece of Veneto

For me, Veneto is not just a region. It’s a place where history, art, and nature come together in a way that inspires my work as a winemaker. It’s a place I’ve walked, studied, tasted, and lived.
And the Corte del Sole Ripasso is a perfect expression of that journey.

Every bottle reflects the centuries of tradition behind it, the families who tended these vineyards, and the modern innovation that keeps Veneto at the heart of Italian wine.

I hope that through this blog, you’ll discover the same connection I feel—to the land, to the people, and, of course, to the wines that bring Veneto to life.

Try the Wine:

Ripasso Valpolicella, Corte del Sole, Veneto