About Marchesi Fumanelli

Marchesi Fumanelli is one of the largest and most historic family-owned wineries in the Valpolicella area of the Veneto. The family owns 78 acres of exclusively estate grown fruit, within the walls of their ancient property, eight miles from Verona. As Amarone specialists, they deftly combine traditional and modern techniques to produce authentic expressions of their distinctive terroir.

The Fumanelli family have been cultivating grapes and producing prestigious wines in the Valpolicella area since 1470. The family’s property, Squarano estate, is located in the heart of Valpolicella, close to the village of San Floriano. Built in the seventeenth century by the noble Fumanelli family, you can still admire the inscriptions and archaeological remains across the Squarano estate, including the remnants of a temple dedicated to the Goddess Flora. This temple was built by the Romans over a thousand years ago as they also planted vines in the hills of the current property.

Marchesi Fumanelli has been family-owned and operated for over 550 years, currently managed by the 28th generation, Armando Fumanelli. Since his return to the winery in 1998, Armando has overseen the restructuring and replanting of the vineyards and complete restoration of the historic ancient cellars on the Squarano Estate. Mr. Fumanelli’s goal is to always represent the authenticity of their vineyards in producing the very best wines that the Valpolicella area can offer.

Specializing in the classic grapes of Valpolicella, Marchesi Fumanelli has become known worldwide for their two Amarone della Valpolicella. The winery still uses very traditional techniques in the creation of their Amarone wines, carefully hand-selecting the highest quality grapes from the estate and placing them on wooden plateaux to rest and dry for 120 days. This historical method dramatically increases the intensity and concentration of their Amarone. Marchesi Fumanelli’s Riserva, named Octavius, is sourced exclusively from the Squarano estate’s 30-40 year old pergola vines. After the grapes air-dry for four months, this classic blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella is vinified for 30 days and then aged for a minimum of four years in a combination of French oak tonneaux and barrique.

The Squarano estate is open to visitors for tasting Monday-Saturday, where you can taste through their iconic Amarone and Valpolicella estate wines. Also just a few miles from the winery, the Fumanelli family has a small country house immersed in the vineyards called Il Rusticale Fumanelli. This eight room agriturismo is available for guests throughout the year.

The wines of Marchesi Fumanelli represent an incredible view into the traditional production of the wines of Valpolicella that are fresh and vibrant upon release and only continue to improve and develop over time in the cellar. These are wines that are a great addition to any wine collection.