On the steep, elevated hills above Negrar in Valpolicella Classica, the Le Ragose estate rises as a testament to place, people and passion. Founded in 1969 by oenologist Arnaldo Galli and his wife Marta, the winery revived abandoned terraces at 250-400 m altitude selected for freshness above the frequent fog. 

Here, the vineyards face southwest on clay- and volcanic-rich soils with tufaceous subsoil, dolomite and red/brown clays that deliver exceptional drainage, concentration and typicity. Dry-farmed and planted mostly to indigenous Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella (and rare varietals such as Oseleta, Pelara), Le Ragose is deeply rooted in tradition — yet driven by rigorous research, long ageing and an unwavering pursuit of quality.

From their iconic Amarone Classico, crafted via appassimento, to Valpolicella Superiore, Ripasso and sweet Recioto, each wine embodies the estate’s philosophy: “the quality of a wine is inseparable from its place of origin and the people who produce it.” 

The wines are aged in large Slavonian oak botti, sometimes supplemented with French Allier or Tronçais tonneaux for subtle finesse. Manual labour on steep terraces preserves the granitic hillside character, sunlight and air-flow that set Le Ragose apart. 

Today, Paolo and Marco Galli manage the estate, continuing Marta’s legacy — she, in 1990, was elected “Wine Producer of the World”. Each bottle is an invitation to Valpolicella’s terroir: powerful yet elegant, concentrated yet graceful, modern yet rooted in tradition.