Farina Wines wins the Great Wine Capitals Global Award
When we opened the doors to our newly renovated hospitality structure in 2021, we launched ambitious plans to become a top wine tourism destination in Valpolicella.
In just two years, Farina has reached the pinnacle of recognition. On October 26th in Lausanne, Farina won the Great Wine Capitals International Award 2024 for Best in Wine Tourism
Farina is one of the 75 wineries that the Jury of Great Wine Capitals selected among 551 nominations from the 12 wine capitals worldwide that make up the Great Wine Capitals network. The first step to this recognition came last June, when the veronese jury awarded seven wineries including Farina for the category of Art and Culture.
Elena Farina and hospitality manager, Silvia Coati, received the coveted Global Award from Italian ambassador in Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado.
For those of you who know us, we invite you to vote for us at www.greatwinecapitals.com as part of the People’s Choice Awards from October 30th to November 13th, another occasion to affirm the excellence of Farina’s wine tourism through those who have experienced our hospitality firsthand.
"The Best Of Wine Tourism Awards," explained Paolo Arena, the appointed representative of the Verona Chamber of Commerce for wine tourism, "are celebrating their 20th edition this year, showcasing the best of wine tourism globally and inspiring the wine industry to reach new heights of innovation and visitor experience. They also recognize the unparalleled contribution of vineyards, wineries, and wine-related businesses to the world of wine tourism."
In 2023, Farina launched the Art Ferment project in collaboration with the Verona based international art gallery Artericambi as an addition to an already engaging and successful winery tour. The exhibitions have included the works of high-caliber international artists that set Farina apart by elevating the sensorial, cultural and artistic aesthetic for wine enthusiasts in an incomparable wine experience.
Farina’s commitment to the arts and territory has been a constant since cousins Elena and Claudio Farina took the reins of the company two decades ago. The quality of the Art Ferment project is the perfect pairing to the enological excellence of the Farina winery.
They explain, "We are honored to have received this significant acknowledgment, confirming the synergy we've pursued between Wine and Art. The Art Ferment exhibition represents the continuation of Farina's commitment to the cultural world, starting with a real oenological revolution that embraces sustainability, transparency, ethics, hospitality, and tradition."
“The victory in Lausanne was flattering but moreover, it testifies to the commitment and passion of the entire Farina team," adds Silvia Coati. "It will certainly be a stimulus to further enrich our wine tourism proposals.”
Farina wines has roots in the Valpolicella Classica dating back to the 16th century in Pedemonte, Verona. Today, the family-owned winery is managed by cousins Elena and Claudio Farina. In its over 100 years history, the company has consolidated an authoritative international reputation, so much so that it currently generates exports 70%
of its production.
The company headquarters is in Pedemonte, at the heart of Valpolicella. The winery’s site is in its historical location, where the winemaking facilities have been expanded and modernized, and new spaces to welcome visitors have been created. In the last 20 years, the company has invested heavily in the production areas’ expansion and modernization and creating comfortable, airy reception areas to host customers and wine lovers for visits and tastings. Wine tourism is a strategic activity of the Farina company. It reflects deep ties
to the Valpolicella community and the vineyards which provide Farina’s grapes.
Great Wine Capitals was founded in 1999 as a community of global cities that share a common economic and cultural asset - their connection to internationally renowned wine regions. The Great Wine Capitals Global Network brings together various global wine capitals under a shared brand. The Great Wine Capitals Global Network exists to connect cities linked to major wine regions in order to support the health and prosperity of their respective wine-related industries, communities, and tourism. The network facilitates the sharing of knowledge, ideas, and experiences; it stimulates business, innovation, and friendships.
Meet Silvia Coati, hospitality manager at Farina
Silvia Coati joined the Farina winery in 2021, when the Farina Wine Boutique opened its doors to wine enthusiasts. For us, it seems like she’s always been here.
How did you get started in the wine business?
I was a 25 year old mother when I began sending my resume to local companies that would allow me to find a good work life balance. Living in an area surrounded by vineyards meant sending it to wineries too. My fluency in English and German sealed my first job offer in a winery, and I fell in love with the business from my first day on the job.
What made you fall in love with the wine business?
People. My first position was in sales, but I found my calling in hospitalitr. I love being with people, I take pleasure in meeting new people every day, and I have never lost that passion. I am proud to have made many friends through wine. Wine is a cultural pursuit and I am proud to share my knowledge and passion through the thousands of people I’ve met during tastings and winery visits.
An export manager can travel around the world selling wine, but I like to think that what me and my team are building at the winery day by day, plays a huge role in building the notoriety of the Farina and their wines. We hope that each guest feels at home with us, and leaves remembering the greatness of the experience as much as the wines.
Did you love wine when you began?
No, I hardly drank wine before I began working at a winery, even though I grew up here. Ever since, I’ve never stopped learning about wine, from tasting courses to wine studies.
The more I know, the less I realize I know, and the more I appreciate about the bottles I open and the stories behind each wine.
What makes working at the Farina winery so special for you?
The best way I can describe it is that you almost don’t know where the Farina family begins and ends. We all feel part of something bigger, and day by day I give my all to arriving at the pinnacle of a project that began twenty years ago when Elena and Claudio took rein. We enjoy working together, we believe in what we do and I think our guests perceive the positivity during their visits.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Oh, it’s hard to make forecasts, but I can say that hospitality is in my DNA. We are in one of the most fascinating wine regions in the world, and I would like to be a leading voice in building the quality of hospitality in Valpolicella. In the span of just two years, Farina is already becoming a benchmark for the quality of our winery experiences and there are great things to come.
Excellence is rewarded! The Wine Hunter awards Farina three gold medals
The first golden results are in from the prestigious Wine Hunter Awards. Farina has been rewarded for the excellence of their Amarone wines across different vintages and labels.
Our congratulations go to the winemaking team, led by Andrea Zerman. Farina has chosen to produce Amarone and other Valpolicella Classica wines that represent the history and evolution of a winery that spans over a century of quality production. From the Amarone Classico docg to our Riserva Amarone wines, Farina brings a distinctive style, recognizable whether the wine harks tradition or experiments new aging vessels.
We are pleased to announce that Farina will participate in the 2023 Merano Wine Festival (November 3-7), where we will be unveiling the 2017 vintage of Montefante Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva Docg in anteprima with a new look.
In the meantime, we invite you to visit the Farina winery for a tasting of our award-winning wines. Consult our website for details and bookings.
The Wine Hunter, directed by Helmut Koecher, is managed by Gourmet’s International, which also organizes the Merano Wine Festival, collateral events and a host of other activities, including training, innovation and communication.
Great news in Casa Farina comes from the mountain of Reims.
Da Farina un buon Champagne non manca mai per brindare alle occasioni importanti o semplicemente per godere di un aperitivo. Siamo lieti di annunciare l’arrivo di due nuove etichette dalla casa Florent Bergeronneau-Marion a Ville Dommange. Gli Champagne Bergeronneau-Marion sono acquistabili presso il nostro Wine Boutique.
La Cantina
Sono produttori di vino indipendenti. In origine, la tenuta nasce sotto il nome di “Villa Dominica”, che significa letteralmente "fattoria di un signore", il quale non era altro che Luigi I, re di Francia dall'814 all'840.La tenuta storica, oggi dimora della famiglia Bergeronneau-Marion, si trova sulla montagna di Reims in Premier Cru e nel Massif de Saint Thierry, e unisce i vigneti di proprietà di Florent Bergeronneau e di sua moglie Veronique Marion.
La cantina è certificata Alto Valore Ambientale ed è in conversione biologica. Le pratiche di coltivazione sono orientate verso un approccio sostenibile. Non utilizzano mai erbicida, insetticida o prodotti sintetici.
L'obiettivo è valorizzare il terroir. A livello enologico, la famiglia Bergeronneau è poco interventista, in particolare lasciando fare la fermentazione alcolica a lieviti indigeni.
Dalla loro produzione, abbiamo scelto due etichette che per noi rappresentano eccellenze con un ottimo rapporto qualità-prezzo.
Cuvée Saint Lié
Questa cuvée è l'espressione stessa del terroir di Villedommange. Viene vendemmiata sulle alte colline argillo-calcaree, segnate dalla mineralità, che viene sublimata dai tre vitigni della Champagne.Il blend di 50% Chardonnay, 40% Meunier, 10% Pinot Noir, è un brut perfettamente bilanciato, ideale per aperitivi e pasti leggeri.
Tradition Pas Dosé
È uno champagne tradizionale ottenuto dall'assemblaggio di vitigni, annate e parcelle da Thierry e Reims. Questo millesimo si distingue per la sua freschezza, vivacità e rotondità. Prodotto in tre versioni, noi siamo rimasti ammaliati dal dosaggio zero, un blend di 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay, appagante bollicina passe-partout per aperitivi e a tutto pasto in leggerezza.
Art Ferment: Fabrizio Gazzarri enters Farina Winery with exhibition organized with Artericambi Gallery
Prosegue la rassegna Art Ferment con un nuovo artista e una nuova mostra visitabile presso la Cantina Farina di Pedemonte, dal 30 giugno.
Fabrizio Gazzarri è un pittore italiano con una lunga carriera nel mondo dell’arte. Produce tele astratte molto colorate e di grandi dimensioni che hanno instaurato subito un contatto eccellente con l’ambiente moderno ed elegante della degli ambienti e della cantina Farina. L’arte astratta, seppur forse ad un primo approccio meno immediata, specie per chi è meno abituato all’arte contemporanea, tocca le componenti emozionali dell’animo umano.
Le opere di Fabrizio Gazzarri, artista della Galleria Artericambi di Verona, vogliono evocare sensazioni ed impressioni intime e creano un corrispettivo perfetto con l’esperienza del vino, spesso personale ed emozionale. I suoi dipinti, al centro del suo nuovo progetto espositivo, consentono di calarsi in uno stato meditativo che pare impossibile da ottenere nella frenesia del mondo contemporaneo, una vera e propria estasi. Si tratta di pitture solo apparentemente monocrome, poiché le linee che solcano la superficie del quadro – talvolta sinuose e continue, altre volte più nette e interrotte – producono infinite sfumature come i mille rivoli della coscienza lasciata improvvisamente libera di vagare.
La seconda mostra Art Ferment, progetto sviluppato in partnership con Artericambi Gallery, rappresenta quindi la conferma e la continuazione dell’impegno di Farina nel mondo culturale, partendo proprio da una vera e propria rivoluzione enologica che abbraccia sostenibilità, trasparenza, etica, accoglienza e tradizione.
“Art Ferment è una rassegna che ha avuto molto successo fino ad ora e noi ne siamo molto orgogliosi perché ci ha confermato l’interesse del mondo dell’arte verso il nostro progetto e perché siamo una cantina contemporanea dalla lunga tradizione. Sono convinto che ospitando questi artisti e le loro opere si sia riusciti a creare un vero legame tra vino e cultura”, afferma soddisfatto Claudio Farina dalla sua sede di Pedemonte, nel cuore della Valpolicella Classica.
Elena Farina, cugina e socia, aggiunge, “Dopo il successo della prima mostra e l’affluenza di visite e il vivo interesse raccolto in questi mesi, siamo ancora più contenti di ospitare le opere di Fabrizio Gazzarri nei nostri ambienti. Abbiamo visto che il connubio tra l’arte moderna e i nostri vini è risultato vincente. Siamo convinti che questa strada porti a vivere e assaporare al meglio un’esperienza enoculturale di altissima qualità in casa Farina, a conferma del nostro senso di accoglienza.”
Francesco Pandian, presidente di Artericambi Gallery, commenta “Questa iniziativa vuole essere un segnale forte di apertura del mondo dell’arte contemporanea verso altre forme di cultura ed espressione umana. L’arte ha il potere di parlare un linguaggio universale, senza confini, e la collaborazione con la cantina Farina è un’importante opportunità per esporre le opere dei nostri artisti in contesti nuovi, ricchi di storia, cultura e capaci di intercettare un pubblico più vario e internazionale”.
Farina wins Best of Wine Tourism award in the Arts and Culture category
Farina winery is among the magnificent 7 in the Best of Wine Tourism competition, the businesses that have distinguished themselves from others in a special way and which will compete for the Global Best of Wine Tourism Award along with the award-winning candidates in the other Great Wine Capitals (Gwc).
On June 7th, the Best of Wine Tourism awards ceremony was held, an initiative of the Verona Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Great Wine Capitals. A total of 103 wineries and supply chain service businesses participated in the competition this year, a sign of the importance the local community places on wine tourism.
The judges chose Farina, "For supporting the dialogue between Art and wine culture by creating exhibitions of works by contemporary artists of international significance, within the winery environments, whose design lends itself perfectly to displaying the works of art selected as part of the "Art Ferment" project."
Art Ferment is, in fact, a project with a broader purpose than a mere exhibition of works. The collaboration with the Artericambi gallery stems from the desire to savor art and wine in a different way for both art and wine collectors, but also for those who come for a tour of our winery immersed in a surprising and scenic experience.
The Farina family has always been a key player in the area with collaborations ranging from sports to health and cultural activities. Art Ferment is a further step in line with Elena and Claudio's desire to create high-profile initiatives with other partners of excellence in the Verona area.
Elena Farina explains, "Wine and art live a close bond, testifying to human genius, intuition, ambition and perseverance, celebrating beauty and arousing emotions. We select works that can integrate with the different souls of our winery, that manage to dialogue with the beauty of Valpolicella, and that allow people to grasp the importance of a cultural and intellectual approach associated with the world of wine."
We are still savoring the presence of the celebrated Fur Paul Celan sculpture by artist Anselm Kiefer, recently in the spotlight for Wim Wender’s biographical film presented at the Cannes Film Festival in June. On display at the same time are artist Mariano Sardòn's unexpectedly beautiful works contextualized inside the new barrel cellar alongside our gres ceramic vats and raw concrete tulips.
To plan your visit to one of Valpolicella’s most interesting wineries, please visit our website for details and booking.
The opening night of Art Ferment: a vernissage celebrating the union of art and wine
Entrepreneurs, art collectors, and distinguished guests gathered at our winery on Tuesday, March 28, with a star-studded dinner prepared by Chef Mattia Bianchi of Amistà Restaurant to inaugurate the first of three art exhibitions to be held in 2023 in collaboration with Artericambi Gallery.
We, before wine, live on relationships, and a creative ferment was only natural when we met Francesco and Cristina Pandian of the Verona-based Artericambi gallery during their recent visit to the winery. The minimal and rigorous design of the winery provides a fitting yet original backdrop for hosting contemporary art, and we are bent on improving Farina for our guests and us. In fact, in 2022, with the launch of Amarone Riserva 2011 Mezzadro alla Fontana, Farina embarked on a parallel path toward territorial collaborations with a shared spirit toward excellence.
In just 15 days, we saw the installation of the majestic Fur Paul Celan work by artist Anselm Kiefer on loan from a private collector, lowered from the crane and assembled in the historic courtyard. We experienced such a stunning color match of Argentinian artist Mariano Sardòn's works that when observing, one might think the pieces had been commissioned for the cellar. Instead, it is the work of Cristina and Francis' vision. Both artists invite different pauses for reflection, inspired by the past and the future. From these reflections, we pause to appreciate the evolution of our traditions in a glass of wine.
This small sharing of images will be a stimulus for planning an upcoming visit to Farina. We have created an exclusive tasting on the occasion of the three guided tours of the artworks led by the Artericambi team. This exhibition will be followed by two more in June and October at Art Verona.
Art Ferment: a dialogue between wine and art in collaboration with Artericambi Gallery
The cultures of art and wine meet in the Farina Winery, thanks to the collaboration with the Artericambi Gallery in Verona. Three exhibitions of works by internationally-renowned contemporary artists will be on display in our winery over the course of 2023. The winery's minimalist design ties in perfectly with the pieces selected ad hoc by the Artericambi Gallery for the exhibitions.
The inaugural exhibition opens with a series of the most significant, award-winning, and recognized works by Argentine artist Mariano Sardón, who has been working for years in transdisciplinary processes, mixing art with artificial intelligence, data visualization and computer animation, and neuroscience.
Through new technologies, particularly in the video installation "The Wall of Gazes," the artist will lead visitors to reflect on the human dimension and the common propensity of observation in a new and innovative way.
Art Ferment is a rare opportunity to view the 2005 sculpture "Für Paul Celan" by renowned German artist Anselm Kiefer, on loan from a private collection.

The work displayed in the 16th-century courtyard is part of a series dedicated to the Jewish poet Paul Celan. It is an exemplary expression of Kiefer's work, which is interested in exploring the impact of history and the horrors of war on the individual and society, alongside his interest in mythology, Kabbalah, and alchemy. Remembering, as the artist has repeatedly stated, destruction is the prelude to a new beginning.
The Art Ferment exhibition represents a continuation of Farina's commitment to cultural events, an accompaniment to their wine revolution which embraces sustainability, transparency, ethics, hospitality, and tradition.
"We are proud of the Art Ferment, a project that perfectly aligns with the modernity and style that distinguishes us. We are a contemporary company that has evolved from a peasant tradition, and I think organizing an exhibition of this caliber is a great satisfaction for my family," says Claudio Farina from the headquarters in Pedemonte, in the heart of Valpolicella Classica.
Elena Farina adds, "My cousin and I cultivate an insatiable curiosity about the arts and design - they are often sources of inspiration in the winery. The early works carry strong messages about the human condition from the past and the future of the present - an evocation of our vision of an evolving tradition in constant ferment, learning from the past on a path of improvement. We hope it is a way to live and savor this cultural wine experience of the highest quality at Farina."
Finally, Francesco Pandian, director of Artericambi Gallery, says, "Our artists are excited to participate in this refreshing combination, rich in experimentation, vision, and an attentive pursuit of the full sensory experience of art and wine. Engaging with the Farina family in the beautiful spaces of the winery was a wonderful experience enriched even more by their sincere hospitality and professionalism."
Art Ferment embraces three key dates and runs until December 15, 2023.
March 28, 2023 - invitation-only vernissage
June 2023 - opening of the second exhibition
October 2023 - third and final appointment during ArtVerona
The first exhibition will continue through May 14 and will be open to visitors by reservation with a guided tasting. The visits will become an unforgettable moment of discovery on two Fridays a month. They will include a guided tour by the Artericambi team, followed by a special wine tasting, illustrating the evolution of the Farina family's wine project.
Art Ferment promises to be an event to remember. In particular, the private vernissage on March 28 will bring together wine and art enthusiasts, who will be delighted by a wine and food experience of the highest level. The evening will conclude with an art-themed dinner created by Michelin-starred Chef Mattia Bianchi of the Amistà Restaurant.
Sustainability in the winery comes to fruition with new technologies and research
Mercoledì 22 febbraio alle 16.30, presso il polo universitario di San Floriano (Verona) Elena Farina e il prof. Maurizio Ugliano presenteranno il progetto Winesens condotto dalla nostra cantina in collaborazione con SMACT and UNIVR sulle nuove tecnologie di controllo e gestione della maturazione dei vini rossi in legno, cemento, ceramica e acciaio.
La collaborazione tra l'azienda Farina e il Laboratorio di chimica enologica dell'Università di Verona ha avuto inizio nel 2017, con un progetto finalizzato allo sviluppo di protocolli di vinificazione per la riduzione delle dosi di impiego dei solfiti. Il progetto si proponeva di valutare diverse strategie per migliorare la tenuta dei vini all'ossidazione, limitando così il fabbisogno in solfiti dei vini.
Tra le varie opzioni considerate, quella basata sull'aggiunta ragionata di dosi di ossigeno precise nel corso della fermentazione si era rivelata particolarmente efficace. Sulla scorta di questi risultati abbiamo rielaborato i nostri protocolli di vinificazione, arrivando ad una riduzione complessiva delle dosi di impiego di SO2 di circa il 20%.
Inoltre, da questo primo progetto è nata una riflessione più ampia sulle potenzialità offerte dalle nuove tecnologie di gestione dell'ossigeno per l'ottenimento di determinati profili qualitativi, in particolare per la fase di maturazione dei vini. Abbiamo avviato importanti investimenti per l'installazione di contenitori di maturazione con differenti permeabilità all'ossigeno, affiancando alle tradizionali botti in legno contenitori in cemento e in ceramica.
Per due anni abbiamo condotto una serie di analisi sull'evoluzione dei vini in questi diversi contenitori, realizzando una mappatura delle potenzialità di ciascun materiale rispetto alle diverse caratteristiche dei vini. In tale contesto stiamo inoltre studiando l'applicazione di diverse tecnologie di analisi rapida per il monitoraggio dell'evoluzione dell'ossigeno e dei composti fenolici nel corso della maturazione dei vini.
Maurizio Ugliano commenta, “Nel corso di questi anni la collaborazione tra Università di Verona e Farina wines ha fornito numerosi spunti di approfondimento su tematiche di attualità enologica, consentendo di introdurre tecnologie all'avanguardia nel contesto della produzione dei vini della Valpolicella.”
Elena Farina aggiunge, “Sin dalla nostra entrata in azienda, io e mio cugino Claudio abbiamo messo la sostenibilità come punto cardine della nostra strategia vitivinicola. Inizialmente ci siamo lasciati guidare da fortuite intuizioni nei primi investimenti di rinnovo in cantina. La collaborazione con Maurizio è preziosa e non solo per gli ottimi risultati raggiunti – insieme, ci siamo trovati in un percorso verso un approccio concreto e misurabile.”
Per dettagli e iscrizione consulta:
Decanter - Mezzadro alla Fontana
Decanter awards 96 points to the first vintage of Mezzadro Alla Fontana Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2011
Mezzadro Alla Fontana Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2011 was awarded a brilliant 96 points by Decanter in 2021. The wine was presented for the Decanter Award tasing, and will be officially launched during Vinitaly in April 2022.
The wine is the ultimate expression of the family’s oenological vision and the result of the historical collaboration with local winegrowers. The Farina family has maintained equitable and fruitful relationships with winegrowers owning some of the most prized vineyards in several communes of the Valpolicella Classica. Ever since Claudio and Elena Farina took over the winery in 2000, they built the know-how and winemaking team able to realize their vision of the super premium Amarone that would become a tribute to these winegrowers.
They would have to wait for the excellent 2011 vintage to produce the first wine. From Negrar to Sant’Ambrogio, to San Pietro in Cariano, Farina made a cuvée selection of the most distinctive and intense characteristics within the winegrowers’ finest parcels – historical collaborations with the Farina family that have always represented the noblest soils – basalts, gravels, limestones, with optimal exposures.
The bunches, harvested by hand, are dried and vinified separately in stainless steel and then in concrete vats before creating the final blend, which, for the 2011 Riserva, is Raven, Swallow, Molinara, and Croatian. Maturation begins for 24 months in rare French and American barriques, followed by 36 months in large Slavonian oak barrels before prolonged refinement in the bottle.
The structure and balance of the wine is sustained by the pivotal acidity that winemaker Andrea Zerman looks to obtain in all Farina wines. The result is a wine that is richly dense and full bodied while presenting remarkable freshness and finesse even after over a decade of maturation. Intriguing aromas and flavors flux and evolve over the course of hours after opening, a hallmark quality of great wines.
“Mezzadro alla Fontana – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2011” – 3,000 bottles produced. Presented in preview to the most authoritative guides and critics, it also collected excellent reviews: Mundus Vini Summer Tasting Best of Show, Wine Hunter Award 2021 Gold, James Suckling 92 points.
Elena Farina, co-owner and responsible for administration and hospitality, tells the genesis of the name of the wine: “To communicate our company identity, we needed to draw on our peasant history to give shape to the visceral bond that the Farina family has with the land. Among papers, books, and old photos, we were drawn to the phrase “Mezzadro alla Fontana” – (sharecropper at the fountain). In it, I see the soul of a peasant – and I feel it in our DNA – a value to own, not because we believe we are winemakers, but to define our character and our profound relationship with the Valpolicella Classica.”
Claudio adds, "We are an earnest family where actions speak louder than words – where loyalty and honesty are fundamental values at the basis of any healthy and united community. Our most prestigious wine is a tribute to our community of “vinegrowers” and a nod to the sharecropping past that unites the heritage of most families in Valpolicella. Do not misunderstand. This is not the Amarone of yesteryear. It is the Amarone that best expresses our relationship with the land and our oenological vision.”
“Mezzadro alla Fontana – Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2011” – 3,000 bottles produced. Presented in preview to the most authoritative guides and critics, it has already collected excellent reviews: Decanter Gold 2021 – 96 points, Mundus Vini Summer Tasting Best of Show, Wine Hunter Award 2021 Gold, James Suckling 92 points.














































