Given one hundred years you can really achieve something. That said, what the Tommasi family have achieved is quite staggering.
Either the wine bottles are getting bigger or I am shrinking in my old age!
In 1902 Giacomo Tommasi decided to put his faith in wine He worked as a sharecropper for the Counts Campostrini and they allowed him to keep all the grapes he produced. In 1928 he opened a trattoria in Parona, followed by another in the centre of Verona in 1937. This is where the extended family took on more responsibilities. During the ‘40s and ‘50s new generations took up the mantle of running the expanding business. In the 1960s the family purchased land previously cultivated under sharecropping and started to modernise. In the 1970s they solely concentrated in turning all its land into vineyards and built a new cellar to handle its wine making operations.
In 1976 they started to export their products to the U.S.A. along with Canada, Germany, Belgium, Holland and the UK.
During the ‘80s and ‘90s the family consolidated and invested time and resources in improving quality, in addition to reverting into hospitality by purchasing Villa Quaranta near Verona and since added a conference centre turning this property into a first class hotel and spa.
Since the turn of the century the Tommasi family has purchased more land in the heart of Valpollicella, Poggio al Tufo, in Maremma, Masseria Surani in Puglia, and Tenuta Caseo, Oltrepo Pavese in Lombardy and Paternoster in Basilicata.
Today they produce 24 different labels which combined amount to 1.5 million bottles per annum with 204 hectares under vine.
The core of the business remains Valpollicella in the province of Verona. Giancarlo Tommasi oversees all stages of production imposing his personal style without losing traditional values. He manages to get a fruit rich expression without encountering an unwanted level of concentration.
The Amarone della Valpolicella Classico clearly exemplifies the Tommasi family stylistic path. The Valpollicella Rafael and Ripasso back up this style whilst being vibrant and finely balanced.
The one word that sums up this phenomenal family business is consistency. Their wines alway hit 90/93 points but remarkably, the retail cost always shows value for money.
Tasting Notes
Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2013
Deep red ruby with garnet shades, red cherry, plum and spices. Rounded tannings, warm mouthfeel, approachable and opulent. Long finish.
2018-2028 | 91 Points
Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Ca ‘Florian 2010
Dark, dense, layered. Plums, herbs, chocolate, coffee. Aromatic thanks to cooler conditions. Will benefit from bottle age, a classic, reminds me of 1995/1997. This wine will take you on a journey.
2020-2035 | 94+ Points
Tommasi Rafael Classico 2015
Bright ruby red, red cherry, balanced, smooth, quaffable.
2018-2028 | 91 Points
Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2014
Deep ruby red, plum and cherry flavour with rich warm notes of raisins, spice and black pepper. Balanced.
2016-2022 | 90 Points
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