Amarone della Valpolicella, Alberto Zenato is the new president of the Famiglie Storiche

Alberto Zenato, at the helm with his sister Nadia of one of the most important realities of Valpolicella (but also of Lugana, ed.), is the new President of Famiglie Storiche, an association founded in 2009 and which today brings together thirteen historic producers of Amarone Docg (Allegrini , Begali, Brigaldara, Guerrieri Rizzardi, Masi, Musella, Speri, Tedeschi, Tenuta Sant’Antonio, Tommasi, Torre d’Orti, Venturini and Zenato, which produce, together, 2.3 million bottles of Amarone Docg, of which 2 destined for export) will have as vice-president Giuseppe Rizzardi of the company Guerrieri Rizzardi and Giordano Begali.
“I am proud to leave in the hands of Alberto Zenato a strong and solid group, cohesive and able to work together with foresight and for the good of the territory,” said the outgoing president Maria Sabrina Tedeschi. “The goals set three years ago to continue the work of my predecessors (Sandro Boscaini and Marilisa Allegrini) were intended to enhance the different interpretations of the Amarone Docg and its historical, oenological, cultural and above all economic value. We have always worked with rigour and professionalism, obtaining many satisfactions and awards, among which I like to remember the Wine Award for Friends received from the prestigious German magazine “Der Feinschmecker” and the invitation to represent Valpolicella, the only Italian territory present with a Masterclass of Amarone during the last Terroir Renaissance Wine Symposium organized in Shanghai last November. It wasn’t all easy,” continues Maria Sabrina Tedeschi. “In the face of so much commitment and continuous dialogue with the institutions, I am sorry - as desired by many colleagues in the area and by the institutions - not to have closed during my presidency the dispute promoted by the Consortium. From this point of view, however, I can say that I have done everything possible to ensure that both I personally and all the members of the Famiglie have shown the utmost willingness in this regard, declaring that we are also willing to accept, for the sake of the Denomination, all the requests that the Consortium has made. Unfortunately, obviously, this was not enough either, but for the continuous qualitative and cultural growth of the territory, the dialogue must continue”.
“We are living - began the new president Alberto Zenato - a period that requires particular attention and commitment to safeguarding the image of Amarone as a product of excellence in the world. The increase of vineyards, the growing demand of Ripasso, linked to the production of Amarone, are signs that must be considered through a concrete strategy that does not undermine the quality and presence on Italian and foreign markets. In this regard, one of my first intentions is to continue, and encourage, communication with the institutions, working on concrete issues to maintain the high quality of Amarone and Valpolicella wines. Secondly, we will strive to consolidate historical markets such as the United States, Canada and Northern Europe by insisting on the exclusivity and preciousness of Amarone and open the way to new markets, particularly Asia, where it is essential to make known the history, culture, and work that each family knows how to express with a personal interpretation, but with a common language: rigor, tradition, passion.
It will also be important to meet other organizations similar to ours, as has already been done with the Accademia del Barolo, to build a network and promote the excellence of Italian wine production on foreign markets”.
The election of the new President and the composition of the renewed Board of Directors, takes place under the banner of continuity with previous mandates and reconfirms common values and goals, the same that have prompted 13 Famiglie to unite and work together: tell the virtues of Amarone and its centuries-old traditions in the world, continue to seek a constructive dialogue with all the bodies responsible for the protection and defense of this wine, observe with a critical spirit and proactive territory of Valpolicella.