Vini Venturini has left Le Famiglie Storiche, an association of historic Amarone producers, while Bertani has now joined the organisation.
Founded in 2009 as a union of 10 Amarone producers, Le Famiglie Storiche (literally meaning 'The Historic Families') has since grown to include 13 members – family-run Valpolicella wineries, including the likes of Allegrini, Masi, Tedeschi, Tommasi and, until recently, Vini Venturini.
Famiglie Storiche itself, which was the brainchild of Masi's Sandro Boscaini, was engaged in a long-running legal dispute with the Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella over the use of the term ‘Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG’ – indeed, it also resulted in the association having to change its name from 'Famiglie Dell’Amarone d’Arte' to 'Famiglie Storiche' in 2018.
The issue was only settled peacefully in 2023.
Venturini veers away
A statement from Famiglie Storiche president Pierangelo Tommasi, who was elected to the role in 2022 and is part of the fourth generation to run Tommasi Family Estates, broke the news of the change to the association's composition.
"On behalf of all the members, I would like to thank the Venturini family for their contribution to the association over the years, fully respecting their decision to continue their journey outside the group," read Tommasi's statement.
"We extend our best wishes to them to successfully continue the valuable work carried out so far. At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Bertani among the members of Famiglie Storiche: a benchmark name for Valpolicella and Amarone, which will further enrich our shared commitment," it continued. "Our association is made up of wineries that, through their history and daily work, safeguard and promote the identity of this extraordinary territory, sharing the goal of elevating Amarone in Italy and worldwide."
Azienda Agricola Venturini, located in San Floriano, was founded in 1963.
db has reached out to Venturini for an explanation of why it has chosen to leave Famiglie Storiche, but no reply has yet been provided.
A spokesperson for Famiglie Storiche told
the drinks business that Venturini's decision leave was "a normal company choice", and that the loss of a member is "part of the associative life of a voluntary grouping of companies such as Famiglie Storiche".
New arrival
However, Venturini's departure has been counteracted by the arrival of Bertani, part of Angelini Wines & Estates, to the fold, meaning that the membership remains at 13 wineries.
Founded by brothers Giovan Battista and Gaetano Bertani in Valpantena in 1857, Bertani produced its first official vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (known as 'Recioto Secco Amarone') 101-years-later in 1958. It joined the Tenimenti Angelini estates (renamed to 'Angelini Wines & Estates' in 2022) in 2011.
Angelini Wines & Estates CEO Alberto Lusini told
the drinks business that Bertani joined Le Famiglie Storiche due to a common goal: "Famiglie Storiche is an association of private entrepreneurs united by the desire to promote and safeguard Valpolicella on an international scale. Through communication and promotional initiatives, the goal is to strengthen the identity of the region and its wines."
"The association shares an entrepreneurial vision and a communication strategy aligned with our values," Lusini continued. "This collaboration will enable us to develop new projects in a cohesive and strategic way, reinforcing Valpolicella’s perception as a region of excellence."
It is understood that Bertani applied for membership to Famiglie Storiche, and the organisation's members' assembly accepted.
Lusini has not even been in the role of CEO at Angelini Wines & Estates, which also includes producers such as Montalcino's Val di Suga and Chianti's San Leonino, for a year, but Bertani's entry into Famiglie Storiche has come at an opportune moment, as he explained: "The wine sector is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by increasingly complex challenges, including evolving international markets, shifting consumer preferences, and the growing need for a strong and distinctive positioning. In this context, it is essential to collaborate with like-minded organisations that share our vision and values."
"Becoming part of the Famiglie Storiche means strengthening our connection with the territory and, together with other leading producers, contributing to a strong and cohesive narrative for Valpolicella," he concluded.
Prior to this latest news,
Bertani also announced that it will leave the Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella.
