History and Family Origins

The history of the winery begins in the early twentieth century, when Gaetano Accordini, father of Stefano, produced wine while working as a sharecropper in Valpolicella.

A decisive moment came in the 1970s, following the abolition of sharecropping contracts in Italy. Stefano Accordini purchased the family’s first vineyard, known as Il Fornetto, located in the Negrar valley. This acquisition allowed him to establish his own winery and produce wines under the family name.

For several years the winery produced Valpolicella wines mainly for the local market. In 1982 Stefano’s sons Tiziano and Daniele joined the company and began shaping a new phase of development. They modernized equipment, improved cellar practices, planted new vineyards, and opened the winery to international markets.

Development in the High Hills of Valpolicella

At the beginning of the new millennium the family made a significant decision to move wine production into the higher areas of Valpolicella Classica. The project began with the purchase of ten hectares of land in Cavalo, in the Fumane valley, at about 550 meters above sea level.

This transition marked the beginning of a focus on high altitude viticulture, where cooler temperatures and favorable exposure help develop grapes with balanced acidity and aromatic concentration. The success of this approach led to the construction of a new winery completed in 2011.

Today the estate cultivates around 25 hectares of vineyards in the upper areas of Valpolicella Classica, producing wines often described as expressions of mountain viticulture.

Vineyards and Grape Varieties

The vineyards are planted with traditional varieties of the Valpolicella region, including Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara. These grapes form the basis of the classic wines of the area and play a central role in the identity of the estate’s production.

One of the historic vineyards, Il Fornetto, planted in 1975, contains mature vines grown using the traditional Veronese pergola training system. The soils are deep and clay rich, allowing vines to develop strong roots and maintain balanced growth even during dry periods.

All vineyards are cultivated according to organic methods, with particular attention to environmental impact and sustainable practices.

Winemaking and Style

The winery combines local tradition with modern cellar techniques. Grapes are harvested manually and vinified with careful control of fermentation and maturation in order to preserve the character of the fruit and the territory.

For wines such as Amarone and Recioto, the grapes undergo the traditional appassimento process, during which they are dried in special rooms known as fruttai. During this stage biochemical processes concentrate sugars and aromas before fermentation, creating wines with structure and aromatic intensity.

Wines

The estate produces a range of wines typical of Valpolicella, including:

Valpolicella Classico DOC
Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
Recioto della Valpolicella

Valpolicella Classico from the winery is described as a fresh and elegant red wine with a bright ruby color and notes of cherry, intended to be enjoyed while young.

Hospitality and Wine Tourism

Visitors are welcomed at the estate for guided tours and tastings that present the history of the Accordini family and the production of Valpolicella wines. Guests can explore the vineyards, the drying rooms used for Amarone production, and the cellar where the wines mature.

Tastings often take place on a panoramic terrace overlooking the hills of Valpolicella, allowing visitors to discover the wines alongside local food pairings while learning about the traditions and techniques behind them.

Today

The winery is now managed by multiple generations of the Accordini family, including the sons of Stefano and the younger generation who continue to work in the estate. Their focus remains on cultivating vineyards in the upper hills of Valpolicella and producing wines that reflect the character of this territory.

Through this combination of family continuity, high altitude vineyards, and traditional Valpolicella methods, the Stefano Accordini winery has developed a distinctive identity within the Valpolicella Classica region.