GEOGRAPHYValpolicella, one of the most prestigious wine-making regions in Italy, has been dedicated to wine-making since ancient times, as the etymology of its name suggests: "val polis cellae" means, in fact, "the valley of many cellars ". It is located in the eastern part of Veneto, between Verona and Lake Garda, with its boundary demarcated to the north by the Lessini mountains.
The territory extends for some 240 km² (92 mi²) and the surface area dedicated to vineyards totals some 6,000 hectares (14,826 acres). The area referred to as ‘Valpolicella Classico’, which is most suited to the production of high-quality, prestigious wines due to its altitude, lies within the boundaries of just 5 towns: Sant’Ambrogio, San Pietro in Cariano, Fumane, Marano and Negrar. The soils are predominantly calcareous and date back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The climate is generally mild and temperate with rainfall of around 900 – 1100 mm (35-43 inches) per year. The area is characterised by a series of valleys crossed by ‘progni’ - small, torrential water courses - and is steeped in history and culture; apart from attractive rural panoramas, visitor to the area will easily chance upon ancient parish churches, Renaissance villas and important examples of rural architecture.