2024 Quintarelli Bianco Secco Ca' del Merlo, Veneto, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

This organic, medium-bodied dry white wine is full of fresh acidity, mineral definition, and textural complexity. Approximately 70–80% Garganega, with Trebbiano Toscano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Saorin (local name for Friulano) from the Ca' del Merlo single vineyard in Negrar. This vineyard holds iron-rich limestone over basaltic bedrock and sits at around 500 meters elevation. Grapes are co-fermented using nautral yeasts with the majority in stainless steel and glass on extended lees. A small amount is aged in neutral oak. A small fraction of air-dried grapes from the estate's Passito Amabile del Cerè is incorporated into the final blend

Drinking well now, but also structured enough to age for a few years. 

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Giuseppe Quintarelli, often called “Bepi,” built one of Italy’s most legendary wine estates during a remarkable sixty-year career in the hills north of Verona. Today, his legacy continues through his family—his daughter Fiorenza, son-in-law Giampaolo, and grandsons Francesco and Lorenzo—who carefully preserve the traditions and craftsmanship that made the winery famous. The Quintarelli name represents far more than wine; it embodies a philosophy of patience, authenticity, and uncompromising quality.

Known for meticulous attention to detail, Bepi insisted that every element—from the handwritten labels to the finest corks and the wines themselves—reflect artisanal excellence. In the quiet cellars above Negrar in the Valpolicella region, wines age slowly in large casks until they are truly ready. This patient approach produces bottles that are widely regarded as masterpieces, standing apart from other wines both in the region and around the world.

The estate produces a diverse range of wines, many made using the Appassimento method, where grapes are dried before pressing to intensify flavor. The lineup includes the elegant Bianco Secco, the influential Valpolicella Classico Superiore Quintarelli, and iconic reds such as Rosso del Bepi and Amarone della Valpolicella Quintarelli. The estate also crafts the extraordinary dessert wine Recioto della Valpolicella Quintarelli and the extremely rare Bandito, showcasing the remarkable depth and artistry of the family’s winemaking tradition.