Pieropan

Pieropan has been making wine in Soave since the 1890s, and today the family estate spans 58 hectares on the stony hills of Soave Classico. They made history twice: first to bottle a wine labelled 'Soave' in the early 1930s, then first to produce a single-vineyard Soave with Calvarino in 1971. Now run by brothers Andrea and Dario following their father Nino's tenure, Pieropan remains known for the mineral precision and complexity of their whites, alongside increasingly elegant reds from their Val d'Illasi property bought in 1999.

About Pieropan

The Pieropan story is one of continuity and incremental mastery. The family acquired the Calvarino vineyard in 1901, planted on volcanic basalt typical of Soave Classico. When Nino Pieropan took the helm in 1970, he recognised the potential of individual vineyard sites and released Calvarino as a single-vineyard wine in 1971—a pioneering move that redefined how consumers understood Soave. The vineyard's volcanic soils produce wines of mineral intensity, unoaked and reminiscent of fine Chablis.

The second flagship vineyard, La Rocca, occupies a unique geological position as the region's sole limestone formation. Fermented in 500-litre barrels, La Rocca develops richness and opulence that contrasts sharply with Calvarino's austerity. At the International Wine Challenge, this vineyard has earned seven accolades in gold—a record demonstrating both the quality of its terroir and the estate's rigorous winemaking discipline. The standard Soave Classico showcases the house style with floral aromatics and a finely articulated profile, revealing notes of honeysuckle and almond alongside a mineral finish that balances richness with refreshing acidity.

In 1999, Pieropan expanded west to the Val d'Illasi, acquiring 16 hectares for red wine production. The Ruberpan Valpolicella Superiore is fresh and scented; the Vigna Garzon Amarone is similarly elegant and perfumed rather than extracted. To mark their new modern winery, Pieropan created Calvarino 5, a blend of five consecutive vintages (2008–2012) representing the five years of construction. This wine demonstrates the serious ageing potential embedded in their white wines.

Pieropan Wines in Our Collection

The 2025 Soave Classico (92 points) is the everyday entry point—green, flinty, and immediately drinkable. For those seeking complexity, the 2024 Calvarino Soave Classico (92 points, Vivino 4.2) offers mineral intensity and structure that will age for a decade. The 2024 La Rocca Soave Classico (90 points) provides the richer, barrel-aged counterpoint, layered and opulent against Calvarino's slate-like minerality.

Among reds, the 2023 Ruberpan Valpolicella Superiore (92 points) delivers fresh, scented drinking with more substance than basic Valpolicella—ideal at four to five years old. The 2019 Vigna Garzon Amarone della Valpolicella (92 points, Vivino 4.3) is the serious bottle: elegant and perfumed rather than heavy, built to age gracefully for fifteen years or more. The NV Calvarino 5 (93–95 points depending on critic) is a collector's piece, blending five vintages into a wine of considerable complexity and proven longevity.

Food Pairing

Soave Classico pairs naturally with seafood, white fish, and shellfish—the flinty minerality cuts through brine and fat. Calvarino's intensity suits risotto, fresh goat cheese, and articulate vegetable dishes. La Rocca's barrel-aged richness complements poultry and light cream sauces. Ruberpan Valpolicella works with cured meats, pasta with tomato, and young cheeses. Vigna Garzon Amarone is the wine for duck, venison, aged hard cheeses, or simply contemplation after dinner.

What makes Pieropan's Calvarino different from their La Rocca?

Calvarino is unoaked, mineral, and planted on volcanic basalt—reminiscent of Chablis. La Rocca is fermented in 500-litre barrels, richer and opulent, grown on limestone. They represent two distinct expressions of Soave Classico.

When did Pieropan start making wine?

The Pieropan family began producing wine in Soave in the 1890s. They were the first to bottle a wine labelled 'Soave' in the early 1930s and first to make single-vineyard Soave with Calvarino in 1971.

Does Pieropan make red wines?

Yes. Since 1999 they own 16 hectares in Val d'Illasi, west of Soave. They produce Ruberpan Valpolicella Superiore and Vigna Garzon Amarone della Valpolicella, known for elegance and perfume rather than heaviness.

Who makes Pieropan wines?

Brothers Andrea and Dario Pieropan run the family estate in Soave, which has been making wine since the 1890s. Their father Nino led the company from 1970, establishing Pieropan's reputation for precision and complexity.

What style of wine does Pieropan make?

Pieropan specializes in mineral-driven Soave whites from volcanic and limestone soils, unoaked and finely articulated. They also produce elegant reds from Val d'Illasi: fresh Valpolicella Superiore and perfumed Amarone. The 2025 Soave Classico scores 92 points.

How much does Pieropan wine cost?

Pieropan wines range from £16.80 to £87.20. Entry-level Soave Classico starts around £17; single-vineyard whites sit between £26–£37; premium releases and reds span £21–£60; reserve collections reach £75–£87.