Heritage

Four generations in Valpolicella Classica

Today, the fourth generation continues to guide the business, combining family continuity with a broader Italian outlook through Tommasi Family Estates. The historic cellar still reflects the origins of the estate, while later investments, including the Magnifica cellar completed in 2010, demonstrate the family’s commitment to quality, logistics and long ageing for its top wines.

Region and Vineyards

Valpolicella Classica and Lake Garda influence

Tommasi’s heart remains in Valpolicella Classica, where the traditional red varieties Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara and Oseleta are used to produce Valpolicella, Ripasso and Amarone. The family’s oldest and most symbolic vineyards include Ca’ Florian, a cru associated with one of the estate’s top Amarone Riserva wines.

The Tommasi portfolio also includes wines from Lugana, a white wine appellation near Lake Garda known for Turbiana. This gives the range useful breadth for trade buyers: classic Veneto reds for Italian lists, steak-led menus and fine wine selections, alongside fresh, textural white wines with strong appeal for seafood, aperitif and by-the-glass programmes.

Viticulture and Winemaking

Appassimento, large oak and time

Tommasi’s winemaking is grounded in Valpolicella tradition. For Amarone, grapes are carefully selected and dried using the appassimento method before fermentation, concentrating flavour, sugar and structure. The family places particular importance on time, allowing its top red wines to mature slowly and develop complexity.

Large Slavonian oak plays a key role in the Tommasi style. The estate favours ageing that supports rather than dominates the wine, helping preserve fruit, floral detail and freshness. In the Magnifica cellar, large casks, barriques and the famous 333-hectolitre Magnifica barrel reflect both scale and a commitment to patient maturation. The result is a style of Valpolicella and Amarone that aims for drinkability and elegance as much as power.

Style of Wine

Tommasi produces still red and white wines. Valpolicella is fresh, bright and approachable, often showing cherry fruit, herbs and gentle spice. Ripasso adds body, texture and depth, creating a useful step between lighter Valpolicella and the intensity of Amarone. Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is the estate’s flagship style, combining dried fruit, spice, richness and structure with a polished, food-friendly balance.

The top Riserva wines, including Ca’ Florian Amarone, offer greater concentration, long ageing potential and a stronger single-vineyard identity. Lugana adds a contrasting white wine dimension, with citrus, stone fruit, freshness and texture from Turbiana grown near Lake Garda. This makes Tommasi a versatile Veneto producer for multiple list positions.

This broad but coherent Veneto identity makes Tommasi especially practical for the trade. The wines can cover casual Italian dining, premium by-the-glass placements, mature red wine pairings and celebration bottles without losing a clear family and regional story.

Its emphasis on measured ageing and large oak also helps communicate a more refined side of Amarone. The wines show the richness customers expect from Valpolicella, but with freshness and balance that keep them relevant for contemporary restaurant lists.

A Veneto benchmark in the UK wine trade

Tommasi supports a complete Veneto ladder on the wine list. Valpolicella and Lugana work well by the glass, Ripasso fills the mid-tier Italian red slot, and Amarone or Ca’ Florian provide premium, age-worthy options for fine dining, gifting and collector-led lists.

Visit Tommasi’s website.