In Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella, the Boscaini family—custodians and leading producers of Amarone della Valpolicella—has inaugurated their spectacular new home: Monteleone21. A masterpiece of underground architecture conceived in complete symbiosis with the surrounding nature, where design meets the centuries-old Venetian winemaking tradition to offer an immersive and unprecedented wine experience.

Masi’s history begins way back in 1772, the year of the Boscaini family‘s first harvest in the renowned “Vaio dei Masi” vineyard, a gem in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica region. For over two centuries, their love for this land and their pursuit of excellence have never stopped. Today, under the leadership of President Sandro Boscaini, the company combines the use of native grape varieties and ancestral techniques—such as drying grapes on bamboo racks—with constant technological innovation and maximum environmental sustainability.

You have to be born here, on these hills, to a family of winemakers, to understand what Amarone represents: more than a technique, more than a wine, it is a philosophy, an art, and even more.

(Sandro Boscaini, President of Masi)

While Masi currently produces six legendary interpretations of Amarone—including the award-winning Costasera, a global benchmark in the category—and contemporary icons like Campofiorin, with Monteleone21 it is projecting Veneto wine tourism directly into the future.

Architecture emerging from the earth

Monteleone21 represents the culmination of a visionary dream. Located directly across from the brand’s historic headquarters in Sant’Ambrogio, the building rises like a monumental sculpture emerging from the hill from which it takes its name.

Initially conceived by renowned Veronese architect Libero Cecchini and subsequently reinterpreted by Giovanna Mar with her studio and the collaboration of architect Alessandro Beghini, the complex was designed to minimize its visual impact on the landscape. Two-thirds of the building is underground, literally embraced by rows of vines and native vegetation, and topped by an enchanting roof garden offering 360° views of the valley.

But the greatest emotion lies within the Monumental Fruit Storage, a breathtaking 12-meter-high space where the grapes rest during the winter. Here, the artistic soul of the winery shines: the site-specific installation “The Soul of Amarone” created by Fabrizio Plessi, an international video art pioneer.

A mesmerizing work where giant screens set in gigantic wooden barrels project a continuous flow of red wine/liquid fire, celebrating the perfect union between natural elements and technology.

Experiences in the heart of Monteleone21

Conceived as a truly dynamic “open cellar”, Monteleone21 is the new fulcrum of the Masi Wine Experience, a journey that accompanies the guest from the vineyard to the drying, up to the glass:

The Agora: the beating heart of hospitality. A majestic circular square of over 1,000 square meters which houses a precious collection of historic bas-reliefs in local marble depicting the Winged Lion of San Marco, symbol of the Venetian and Venetian identity, as well as the rich Enoteca Masi Wine Store with tasting rooms.

The Monumental Fruttaio: the temple of Appassimento (grape drying), where the imposing vertical architecture frames Plessi’s multimedia art installation.

La Locanda Costasera Ristorante & Wine Bar Bistrot: a fine dining space with a refined atmosphere based on the Wine First philosophy (the dish is created to enhance the wine, and not vice versa). The menu reinterprets the flavors of Valpolicella and Veneto by crossing them with international suggestions and touches of Latin America, territories where Masi has brought its winemaking wisdom.

Multimedia Auditorium and Roof Garden: internal and external multifunctional spaces equipped with the most modern technologies, ideal for corporate events, cultural exhibitions and private receptions suspended between the sky and vineyards.

For travelers and wine lovers, the winery offers several personalized tasting options: from the classic guided tour with a tasting of four wines to the prestigious Gourmet Wine Experience, which includes a tailor-made lunch at Locanda Costasera with pairings selected by the in-house sommelier.

The Secret

Behind the monumental beauty of Monteleone21 lies a cutting-edge technological secret aimed at protecting the land. The winery was built following the strictest green building criteria to achieve the prestigious international LEED Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Thanks to its underground structure, the building exploits the thermal inertia of the subsoil to maintain constant temperatures in the aging areas. Solar shading, the use of locally sourced marble and materials, natural ventilation systems, and the use of a roof garden to retain rainwater drastically reduce the environmental impact. The entire structure is energy self-sufficient, powered by a modern deep geothermal system and invisible photovoltaic panels. A temple of wine where respect for the past marries cutting-edge engineering.

Useful Info

Monteleone21
Via Monteleone 21
37015 Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella, Verona
Tel. +39 045 6832532

Restaurant open from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Wine Bar open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Appetizers: from €14
First courses: from €15
Second courses: from €16
Tastings with tours: from €25 per person. For other experiences, visit the Monteleone21 website