Paolo Cottini

Azienda Agricola Paolo Cottini is a relatively young winery, founded in 2010 by Paolo Cottini with his wife, Sara. The Cottini family’s viticultural heritage, however, goes back much further, having been involved in winemaking in Valpolicella for four generations. Paolo Cottini represents the third generation of this lineage, having learned the craft from his father, Silvano Cottini, an experienced vintner in his own right. 

The winery is based in Fumane, a village in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica zone of Veneto, with a cellar and tasting room on the San Micheletto hill. A true boutique winery, Paolo Cottini just six hectares under vine, spread across different areas of Valpolicella Classica to represent a variety of terroirs. Notably, these plots are at significantly different altitudes and orientations, meaning the grapes experience distinct microclimates which adds complexity and balance to the entire range of its wines.

While the soil varies from plot to plot, it generally consists of limestone-rich clay and some volcanic influences. The Cottini family employees traditional Pergola Veronese trellising on their hillside vineyards, in which vines are trained overhead on pergolas, often supported by the region’s classic dry-stone terrace walls (known as ‘marogne’). All vineyard work is performed manually, led from the front by Paolo himself, who has a strong ethos of hands-on winemaking. Yields are kept low and grape selection is rigorous.

There is a strong emphasis here on creating an authentic expression of the Valpolicella terroir. For its DOC appellation wines (such as Valpolicella Classico, Ripasso, and Amarone), the winery aimns to preserve authentic local character, by sticking to traditional production techniques. In contrast, with their limited-production IGT wines, Paolo and Sara allow themselves creative freedom to experiment with non-traditional blends and techniques.