In partnership with La Collina dei Ciliegi
Discover more: lacollinadeiciliegi.it/en
The project is based upon a simple but radical premise: one must deeply understand the soil – and craft each wine accordingly
Pioneers of precision
Celebrating the science of singular vineyards
Known as the ‘Valley of the Gods’ since Roman times, Valpantena is one of the official subzones of the Valpolicella DOC in Veneto and is located just a half hour's drive from Verona. Though less traveled than Valpolicella’s classical area, this subregion produces wines of striking elegance, brightness and depth, thanks to its high elevations, limestone-rich soils, and significant diurnal swings.
Situated in the hamlet of Erbin, La Collina dei Ciliegi officially began its winemaking activity in 2005 with its first vintage of Amarone. Owner Massimo Gianolli has transformed the estate his father Armando named after its cherry trees (‘ciliegi’) into a groundbreaking winery offering a distinctive take on Valpantena’s terroir.
Managing his activity as a wine producer alongside a successful career in finance, Gianolli blends entrepreneurial vision and a deep respect for the land, farming around 70ha. The project is based upon a simple but radical premise: one must deeply understand the soil – and craft each wine accordingly. This approach led to a strict collaboration with world-famous terroir experts, Claude and Lydia Bourguignon, who isolated and studied Valpantena’s best terroirs.
The winery’s production is divided into three ranges. Radicata is the starting point: Valpantena engages in dialogue with the tradition of Valpolicella, yielding expressions of varietal Corvina, Valpolicella Superiore, Amarone and Recioto that emphasise balance and drinkability.
Terrena is a step up in terms of depth, thanks to meticulous parcel selection, more concentrated fruit, and finely tuned winemaking. It includes the Peratara Valpolicella Superiore and the Ciliegio Amarone della Valpolicella, alongside the Armando Gianolli Amarone Riserva, representing the pinnacle of the project and standing out for its ageing potential.
Photos and video supplied by Collina dei Ciliegi. Published Monday 25th May 2026.
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Three ways of reading a territory
Davide Abbona, Marchesi di Barolo
The newly-inaugurated statue dedicated to Marchesa Giulia di Barolo, Turin
The winery to watch in Valpantena
Alta, however, is the range through which La Collina dei Ciliegi aims to break boundaries. Between 550 and 650 metres above sea level, where soils become more nutrient-poor and the microclimate cooler, a different viticulture takes shape. Yields are lower, the ripening is slower. The mapping conducted by Claude and Lydia Bourguignon ensures a seamless reading of the vineyards.
The two wines, Prea Bianco and Prea Rosso, respectively a white blend of Garganega, Pinot Bianco, and Chardonnay, and a red featuring Corvina and Teroldego, embody an unprecedented take on Valpantena.
The focus is no longer solely on structure and concentration, but on tension and definition. They eschew extraction for balance and dynamism, the limestone soils imparting freshness and minerality. The white is aged for two years in cement and Clayver ceramic vessels, followed by a further six in bottle. The Prea Rosso sees two years in cement and large barrels, with by a final six in bottle.
Alta: redefining Valpantena through altitude
Davide, Anna, Valentina and Ernesto Abbona
La Collina dei Ciliegi is more than just a winery – it’s an excellent starting point for discovering Valpantena. The estate stretches out like a natural amphitheatre among vineyards and woodlands, close to Verona and easily accessible from Venice.
At its heart lies the wine resort, built with stone, wood, and natural materials to offer an intimate and immersive stay. The six rooms overlook the vineyards, while the Wine Lodge provides a more secluded setting facing the woods.
Beyond wine: A destination
A high profile culinary offering completes the experience. The restaurant, led by chef Giuseppe Lamanna, and the Ciliegino Bistrot, focus on seasonal cuisine that pairs seamlessly with the estate’s wines.
From tastings and vineyard walks to horseback riding, e-bike tours, picnics, and even panoramic helicopter flights, La Collina dei Ciliegi embraces a contemporary vision of hospitality, where wine becomes an experience.
In Valpantena, the story is still unfolding. Here, it is taking shape with an increasingly clear voice.