Massimago
Mezzane di Sotto, Valpolicella
Located in the Val di Mezzane valley (Eastern Valpolicella) over a hill surrounded by woods, this gorgeous estate is managed with creativity and strong determination by Camilla Rossi Chauvenet and her coworkers. The name of the winery is from the Latin "Maximum Agium", maximum benefit. It has belonged to the Cracco family (Camilla’s mother family) since 1883 as a country house, but it has been completely reset in 2003 as an innovative winery, when Camilla decided to devote herself to the wine world. In 2004 she produced her first 1000 bottles. In 2014 the vineyard became certified organic. Massimago is a young wine company run by young people - the average age is less than 35 - but Camilla is the true heart and the brain of the winery. Massimago only uses their own grapes, all traditional varieties. The vineyards are part cultivated in pergola and part in guyot system.
The property covers 69 acres with an elevation gradient from 330 to 1,000 feet above sea level The exposure is South-West. Resulting from experience and research they have identified 13 different parcels of terrain that, from mid-September to mid-October, are vinified separately in order to optimize the final results.
The forest and natural valleys that surround the vineyards of the estate allow them to cultivate organically without drift effects. Olive trees that are planted on the property are up to 100 years old.
Originally the valley was completely submerged by the sea, therefore the particularities of the soil types vary with their elevation.
The estate stands on multiple layers of soil which intersect and blend together as an natural mosaic.
The stratigraphy of the soil consists of:
- red clay rich in organic substances and colloids
- white and floury limestone which contributes to freshness and minerality
- floury and porous marl which, mixed with fragments of limestone and quartz, allows a good drainage of the soil.
Massimago is very unique in the area as it has it's own Fruttaio on top of the hill. The Fruttaio is arranged to assure the constant airing of the grapes, to prevent humidity stagnation and to permit the gradual change of temperature.
The building envelope, characterized by a second coating made with recycled wood, makes the volume of the Fruttaio even more ethereal.
The building —gracefully traces back to historical rural buildings— is the combination between functionality, aesthetics and dialogue with the surroundings. It can fit 800 quintals of grapes = 600 hector liter of wine. The sliding doors can be open inside, that have wooden boards with small spaces in-between on the outside of the building, all around. That gives a perfect way to gently dry the grapes and to make better wines! The wooden panels also keep out the rain and humidity. Solar panels on the roof top feed the warehouse electricity.
Total annual production: 80,000 bottles
Latest wine scores in International Magazines:
2020 "Marchesa Maria Bella" Valpolicella Ripasso DOC - 91 Vinous
2015 "Profasio" Valpolicella Superiore DOC - 91 Vinous
2019 "Profasio" Valpolicella Superiore DOC - 91 Vinous
2017 "Conte Gastone" Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - 93 Vinous
2018 "Conte Gastone" Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - 91 Vinous
2017 Valpolicella Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - 93 Vinous
2017 Valpolicella Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG "SVM400" - 94 Vinous,
Wines available:
Magò Spumante Brut Rosé
"Duchessa Allegra" Garganega IGT
Zurlie (100% Corvina, Pet-Nat) 500 ml
"Duca Fedele" Valpolicella DOC
"Profasio" Valpolicella Superiore DOC
"Marchesa Maria Bella" Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
"Conte Gastone" Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG "SVM400"