Winery: Santa Sofia

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico “Gioé” 2013

€138.00

Only 3 bottles left, rare vintage

Italy: shipping from €13 · Free over €99Change

Falstaff 94Wine Enthusiast 88

Critic scores for the 2013 vintage

Bottle: 750ml
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 15,5%
Grapes: Corvina and Corvinone 80%, Rondinella 20%
Ageing: 24 months of aging in Slavonian oak barrels, followed by another 18 months in French oak barriques. Finally, it sits for two more years in the bottle.
Aromas: A rich tapestry of scents, starting with cherries steeped in alcohol, evolving into an expansive array of notes such as jam of wild berries, dried fruit, undergrowth, and even subtle hints of cocoa and dried flowers.

Description

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico “Gioé” by Santa Sofia

Step into the world of exceptional Italian winemaking with the Amarone della Valpolicella Docg Classico “Gioé” by Santa Sofia, a wine that epitomizes the richness and depth of Valpolicella’s terroir. This rare gem has been produced only 17 times since 1964 and is crafted meticulously to ensure unparalleled quality. Its name, “Gioé,” signifies the upper region of Monte Gradella, an area especially favored for its exceptional grape-growing conditions, blessed with the perfect soil composition and solar exposure.

Nestled in the vineyards near Marano di Valpolicella, Fumane, and San Pietro in Cariano, the indigenous grape varieties that make up this lush wine—Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella—find their ideal growing conditions. After harvest, the grapes are allowed to dry for a remarkable 100 days, concentrating their flavors and setting the stage for a harmonious and long-lived wine that can easily age gracefully for over a decade.

The winemaking process is steeped in tradition, beginning with 24 months of aging in Slavonian oak barrels, followed by another 18 months in French oak barriques. Finally, it sits for two more years in the bottle, resulting in a wine that ages for a total of 42 months. Each step in this intricate journey enhances the wine’s complexity, resulting in a well-chiseled, silky, and powerful expression.

Visually, “Gioé” captivates with its intense red garnet color—so concentrated it’s almost impenetrable to the eye. The olfactory experience is a rich tapestry of scents, starting with cherries steeped in alcohol, evolving into an expansive array of notes such as jam of wild berries, dried fruit, undergrowth, and even subtle hints of cocoa and dried flowers. It’s a complex scent profile that beckons you to explore its every nuance.

Upon tasting, you are greeted with an experience that is warm, material, rich, and soft—yet incredibly silky and enveloping. The palate is a luxurious blend of alcohol-soaked fruits and jams, intertwined with notes of cocoa, mint, undergrowth, and dried figs. The well-chiseled tannins contribute to its velvety mouthfeel, making each sip almost chewable. A harmonious combination of power and elegance, this Amarone is a perfect accompaniment to important dinners, particularly those featuring red meats and game, which only serve to elevate its magnificent structure.

In essence, Amarone della Valpolicella Docg Classico “Gioé” by Santa Sofia is more than just a wine; it’s an experience that speaks for itself. No words can truly capture its essence—only tasting it will reveal its magnificent grandeur.

Shipping costs

United States

  • 1 to 3 bottles€85
  • 4 to 6 bottles€94
  • 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €168, now €134
  • 13 to 18 bottles€223
  • 19 to 24 bottles€273

Customs and the 15% tariff are paid by us
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico: €70 extra per shipment

Canada

  • 1 to 3 bottles€55
  • 4 to 6 bottles€70
  • 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €100, now €70
  • 13 to 18 bottles€170
  • 19 to 24 bottles€195

Customs and local taxes are paid by the recipient
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost

United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland

  • 1 to 3 bottles€30
  • 4 to 6 bottlesRegular price €48, now €30
  • 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €60, now €30
  • 13 to 18 bottles€84
  • 19 to 24 bottles€108

Customs and local taxes are paid by the recipient
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost

Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan

  • 1 to 3 bottles€70
  • 4 to 6 bottles€100
  • 7 to 12 bottles€100
  • 13 to 18 bottles€240
  • 19 to 24 bottles€295

Customs and local taxes are paid by the recipient
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost

Australia, New Zealand

  • 1 to 3 bottles€70
  • 4 to 6 bottles€100
  • 7 to 12 bottles€100
  • 13 to 18 bottles€240
  • 19 to 24 bottles€295

Customs and local taxes are paid by the recipient
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost

Taiwan

  • 1 to 3 bottles€70
  • 4 to 6 bottles€100

Customs and local taxes are paid by the recipient
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost
For more than 6 bottles to Taiwan, write to us for a quote

Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands

  • 1 to 3 bottles€18
  • 4 to 6 bottlesRegular price €28, now €18
  • 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €36, now €18
  • 13 to 18 bottles€52
  • 19 to 24 bottles€68

Customs included
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost

France, Austria, Denmark

  • 1 to 3 bottles€20
  • 4 to 6 bottlesRegular price €36, now €20
  • 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €40, now €20
  • 13 to 18 bottles€56
  • 19 to 24 bottles€76

Customs included
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost

Portugal, Spain

  • 1 to 3 bottles€26
  • 4 to 6 bottlesRegular price €44, now €26
  • 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €52, now €26
  • 13 to 18 bottles€68
  • 19 to 24 bottles€92

Customs included
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost

Ireland, Northern Ireland, Sweden, Finland

  • 1 to 3 bottles€30
  • 4 to 6 bottlesRegular price €48, now €30
  • 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €60, now €30
  • 13 to 18 bottles€84
  • 19 to 24 bottles€108

Customs included
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost

Rest of the European Union

  • 1 to 3 bottles€34
  • 4 to 6 bottlesRegular price €56, now €34
  • 7 to 12 bottlesRegular price €68, now €34
  • 13 to 18 bottles€92
  • 19 to 24 bottles€124

Customs included
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost

Italy, mainland

  • 1 to 3 bottles€13
  • 4 to 6 bottles€15
  • 7 to 12 bottles€17
  • 13 to 18 bottles€24
  • 19 to 24 bottles€32

Free on orders over €99
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost

Italy, islands and Calabria

  • 1 to 3 bottles€20
  • 4 to 6 bottles€22
  • 7 to 12 bottles€25
  • 13 to 18 bottles€30
  • 19 to 24 bottles€35

Free on orders over €99
Certified isothermal packaging, temperature controlled transport
Insured in full, at our cost

About Santa Sofia

Santa Sofia traces its roots back to 1811, when it began producing classic wines in Verona. Its name underscores the spirit of the place and stems from a villa designed by Andrea Palladio, near an old church dedicated to Saint Sophia. About half a century ago, the Begnoni family assumed care of the property, earning it worldwide respect.

Vineyards are partly estate-owned and partly sourced from trusted local growers. Many vines stand on hilly terrain and are advanced in age, which helps secure steady yields even in unfavourable weather. In the eastern Valpolicella area, the Briago estate covers 45 hectares at altitudes between 400 and 490 meters, featuring calcareous soils mixed with stone, white marl, and red limestone. Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella flourish there, supported by temperature swings between day and night. A measured irrigation plan respects each plant’s growth, while chemical herbicides are avoided to protect biodiversity.

In Valpolicella Classica, the Montegradella property extends over 24 hectares. Calcareous soils and marl, along with south-eastern exposure at 195 to 325 meters, create prime conditions for local grape varieties. Here, grapes are chosen carefully for the appassimento process, an extended, natural drying method that benefits from good air circulation and notable shifts in temperature. The name Montegradella alludes to the area’s intense daytime heat, akin to a “gradela,” a local term for a cooking grill.

Santa Sofia’s approach to vineyard management relies on sustainable strategies, ensuring the soil remains rich in organisms that nurture healthy vines. Limestone-dolomitic formations, basalt layers, and morainic deposits shape the land, while breezes from the valleys and Lake Garda moderate the climate for mild winters and manageable summer heat. Across two centuries, Santa Sofia has remained faithful to methods that bring out the defining qualities of Valpolicella wines, emphasizing balanced flavours and a strong sense of place.