Valpolicella DOC Classico 2021

At the heart of Valpolicella Classica stands Secondo Marco, a winery born in 2008 from Marco Speri's vision to honor his family's winemaking roots while forging his own path. Coming from one of the region's historic winemaking families, Marco brings generations of knowledge to his 17-hectare estate near Fumane.

The winery represents the creative tension between tradition and innovation. Marco's approach comes through clearly in his quote: "When you continue a family tradition, on the one hand there is the fear of change, and on the other hand there is the desire to do something new, to leave an imprint that can be seen by future generations."

This philosophy extends to his innovative vineyard management. While the region traditionally used the Veronese pergola system before modern Guyot training methods took over, Marco developed a unique Y-shaped trellis inspired by the old pergola. This design increases light exposure, leaf surface area, and air circulation, creating ideal conditions for grape ripening while preventing sun damage and mold.

The estate benefits from Valpolicella's exceptional terroir, limestone-rich soils perfectly suited to native red grape varieties like Corvina, Corvinone, Molinara, Rondinella, and Oseleta. The climate, moderated by northern winds and Lake Garda's breezes, creates the temperature variations essential for developing complex flavors.

In the cellar, Marco employs straightforward vinification processes that respect the grapes' natural characteristics while highlighting their finest qualities. Extended aging produces wines of notable elegance that maintain freshness and fragrance.

With annual production of 85,000 bottles, Secondo Marco represents one man's quest to respect his past while creating something distinctly his own, a vision that, as his father Benedetto wisely noted, ultimately finds its judgment "in a glass of wine, to be savored, to be smelled. And when you can share it with others, then you know you have done the right thing."