
A Tale of Two Amarones: Examining the Craft behind Pasqua Wines’ Dual Valpolicella Flagship

Pasqua Wines, one of the leading wineries from the Veneto region in Italy, has a rich tradition rooted in winemaking that dates back to 1925. This year will mark a centennial for Pasqua Wines. Under the leadership of brothers Riccardo and Alessandro, alongside their father Umberto Pasqua, the family blends tradition with innovation, believing that it’s possible to “preserve and innovate at the same time.” For nearly a century, Famiglia Pasqua has remained committed to producing exceptional wines, from Valpolicella Classico and Ripasso to Amarone, showcasing their expertise and passion for the craft, solidifying themselves as a leading producer and ambassador of renowned Venetian wines. Their forward-thinking approach is reflected in their mantra, “House of the Unconventional,” which symbolizes their innovative spirit and dedication to continuous research and progress in winemaking.
“House of the Unconventional is the embodiment of a bold spirit that displays a keenness for innovation and curiosity about the world. These qualities inspire our philosophy, vision and daily actions.”
In this regard, Pasqua frequently engages in unconventional ventures and is committed to sustainability. They maintain major quality certifications, including ISO, BRC, IFS, Biological, and Equalitas certifications for sustainability and practice accordingly both inside and outside the vineyard. Pasqua combines tradition with modern vinification methods, using advanced technology in their production processes. From controlled fermentation to precise climate-controlled environments in the cellar, they maintain high quality while innovating their techniques. Additionally, Pasqua is not afraid to collaborate with experts from different fields, including artists and designers, to create unique wine labels and products.
Moreover, Pasqua has focused on expanding its market presence beyond Italy, embracing global trends in wine consumption, thereby producing wines that cater to international tastes while preserving the essence of the Veneto region. Pasqua has been at the forefront of reinterpreting traditional wine styles like Amarone della Valpolicella, blending innovative techniques with respect for tradition. This vision is one of the guiding principles behind their new wave of production that involves varying the drying times, varying altitude, earlier harvesting times and other fermentation techniques and aging processes (all within the limits of the classification guidelines) to enhance flavor profiles.

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of attending a wine lunch, tasting and Masterclass with Pasqua Wines at NY Vintners in NY. The class and tasting took place in their art studio, within the wine cellar, to highlight the winery’s commitment to wine, art and creativity. Alessandro Pasqua, President of Pasqua USA and Christy Canterbury MW took us on an in-depth journey into the heart of Amarone della Valpolicella by means of a vertical tasting of select vintages of Pasqua Wines. We explored two distinct expressions of Amarone that manifest a dual approach: the traditional style of the Famiglia Pasqua line and the contemporary style of the Mai Dire Mai line.

We first examined a few vintages of the Famiglia Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella, which presented a traditional, classic style of Amarone, crafted using co-fermentation techniques and a blend of grapes from various plots in the Valpantena region. Here the soils are mostly clay. Malolactic fermentation occurs in large oak barrels with a touch of cherry, resulting in smoother, juicer wines. These wines present a rich, well-balanced profile, with notes of spice and chocolate imparted by the barrel aging process. Instead of being overwhelming or, as Alessandro mentioned, “dinner in a glass,” these wines are all quite drinkable, bright, airy and fresh with well-integrated tannins. 15% ABV.

- Famiglia Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2019-Well-rounded, offering both intensity and balance, with ripe fruit, freshness, and integrated tannins. Juicy, with classic corvina notes. Approachable and excellent for aging.
- Famiglia Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2018-Well-balanced and elegant with higher acidity, refined tannins, and potential for long-term aging.
- Famiglia Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2017-Bold and concentrated with powerful fruit and tannins. Immediate intensity, but gets better over time.
Next, we examined the Mai Dire Mai line, which, in contrast, represents a more modern or contemporary interpretation of Amarone. While it also employs co-fermentation techniques, these wines are crafted exclusively from grapes grown in a single vineyard within the limestone-rich soils of their Montevegro vineyard. These soils also have some iron-rich, volcanic influences, adding another layer of complexity. These wines undergo fermentation in stainless steel, which contributes to the freshness. Cold soaks help to extract the rich, deep color. In this eastern portion of Veneto, the vineyards are also located at a higher elevation and these wines are distinguished by their austerity, freshness, and herbaceous nuances, highlighting the full expression of the vineyard’s distinctive terroir and demonstrating great aging potential. Interestingly, the ABV. is 16.5%, but they is very smooth and elegant.

- Mai Dire Mai Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2015-Balanced and rich, with silky tannins and immediate drinkability, while still holding potential for aging.
- Mai Dire Mai Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2013-Fresher, with higher acidity. Elegant and structured for long aging, but more restrained. Very enjoyable.
- Mai Dire Mai Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2012-Concentrated, intense, with firm tannins and ripe fruit. Ideal for long-term aging.
The Famiglia Pasqua Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG showcases Pasqua Wines’ craftsmanship through the traditional appassimento technique. In stark contrast, the Mai Dire Mai Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG delivers a bold and refined interpretation, offering a distinctive and impactful presence within Pasqua’s portfolio. As Alessandro Pasqua explained, “Each wine embodies our family’s innovative spirit and the winery’s rich heritage, conveying the excellence of the Valpolicella wine region.”
We also tasted a few other iconic wines from Pasqua:
- Famiglia Pasqua Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore is considered a “baby Amarone” or the second wine from Amarone della Valpolicella production.
- Pasqua “11 Minutes” Rosé uses a modern winemaking method to create a fresh, elegant, and versatile rosé. 11 minutes of maceration on the skins.
- Pasqua “Hey French” is an experimental white field blend of wines, combining five vintages and reflecting their willingness to push the envelope on traditional wine boundaries. It’s Italy’s taunt to the French about not experimenting with such a blend.



Ultimately, Wine Enthusiast Magazine awarded Famiglia Pasqua the prestigious “Innovator of the Year” title, acknowledging their remarkable contributions and cementing their status as pioneers in the wine industry. Today, Pasqua Wines is the leading private wine producer in Northern Italy. Despite its strong historical roots, the family-run Pasqua winery has embraced innovation and modernity, ensuring its continued success and global recognition.
Pasqua Wines truly exemplifies a blend of deep-rooted Italian winemaking tradition with a progressive approach to innovation, both in the vineyard and the marketplace. Their ability to merge heritage with modern techniques has ensured their relevance in the ever-evolving global wine industry.
Discover more in my other Pasqua feature: Would you be mine, Valpolicella Ripasso?
