Sicilian Winery Illustrates That You Can Judge a Wine by Its Label

This Is a Milestone Year for the Family Business, Tenuta Santa Maria Di Gaetano Bertani, Marking the 80Th Anniversary of Its Amarone Production. the Family Has Claimed It Takes Inspiration for Its Wine from William Shakespeare’s Tragedy Romeo and Juliet, Which Is Set in Verona. Family Conflict Nearly Cost Them Their Historic Vineyards and Villa, When Some Members Sold Two-Thirds of the Shares to a Corporation.

Tenuta Santa Maria Di Gaetano Bertani, Valpolicella Classico Superiore Doc 2017. Hk$238

A Blend of 70 per Cent Corvina, 15 per Cent Corvinone and 15 per Cent Rondinella. the Wine Is Aged in Large Old Barrels for 14 Months Before Bottling.

Tenuta Santa Maria Di Gaetano Bertani, Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore Doc 2015. Hk$318

Also Made from 70 per Cent Corvina, 15 per Cent Corvinone, 15 per Cent Rondinella. After the First Fermentation, the Wines Are Treated Using the Ripasso Method, a Second Fermentation on Skins of Amarone Grapes. Alcohol Levels Increase Slightly, Between 0.5 per Cent and 0.8 per Cent. the Wines Are Aged for a Further 24 Months in Large Oak Barrels Before Release.

Tenuta Santa Maria Di Gaetano Bertani, Amarone Classico Della Valpolicella Riserva Docg 2012. Hk$818

A Blend of 75 per Cent Corvina, 15 per Cent Corvinone, 10 per Cent Rondinella. Grapes Are Dried Naturally Using the Appassimento Method. After Three to Four Months, the Grapes Lose 40 per Cent to 50 per Cent of Their Water Content. They Then Undergo a Long, Slow Fermentation Lasting About 35 Days. “Riserva” Indicates That the Winehas Undergone Five Year's of Ageing Before Release.

How Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Inspired Verona’s Bertani Winemaking Family

By James H. Sterling

• Oct 8, 2026 • 3 min read

How Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Inspired Verona’s Bertani Winemaking Family

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

Located in the Northeast of Italy, Veneto Is the Country’s Largest Wine-Producing Region. and the Province of Verona, in Veneto, Is Home to the Famed Valpolicella and Amarone Wines. Historically, There Has Been a Regional Tradition of Drying Grapes, to Concentrate the Flavour and Produce Richer Wines. the Autumn Months, with Their Low Temperatures and Cool Winds, Create Ideal Drying Conditions, While Cold Winters Allow for Slow Maceration and Fermentation over an Extended Period of Time.

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.

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