Wine, quality, culture and art. These could be the four elements which connect the activity of Masi winery, renowned in the world for its wines, in particular for the ones produced in the Valpolicella area with dried grapes, including Amarone, the great and famous wine from Veneto. Masi is not Amarone only. In fact, the dynamic winery owns vineyards - besides in the classic areas of Veneto and Valpolicella - in Friuli Venezia Giulia, in Tuscany and in Argentina. Masi's wines - winery owned by the Boscaini family - are known and appreciated worldwide for their quality, in particular the renowned Amarone, a wine to which Masi has associated its name. The history of Masi is indissolubly connected to the ones of its vineyards. In fact, the name of the winery derives from “Vaio dei Masi” - that is “tiny valley of Masi” - a vineyard located at Negrar, in the Valpolicella area, and that the Boscaini family - owners of the winery - bought at the end of the eighteenth century and which became their first vineyard.

	Masi winery at Gargagnago (Verona)

 In the course of the years, the winery has developed thanks to the acquisition of new vineyards located in the classic areas of Valpolicella, Bardolino and Soave, uniquely selecting lands located in the best positions or vineyards having a historical importance. In the last ten years the property of Masi winery also spread in other areas of the Triveneto, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, in Tuscany - project to which is also taking part Serego Alighieri winery - as well as Argentina. Masi's vineyards are all owned by the Boscaini family since six generations. Sandro Boscaini is the chairman of the winery; his brother Sergio is chief wine maker; his cousin Roberto is responsible for logistics; his cousin Dario is responsible for viticultural aspects. In the classic areas in the province of Verona, Masi owns 160 hectares of vineyards (about 395 acres) as well as other lands in which are being planted new vineyards. Many of the wines have the name of the vineyard or cru from which they are from: Mazzano, Campolongo di Torbe, Mezzanella, Vaio Armaron, Casal dei Ronchi, La Vegrona, Campofiorin and Colbaraca.

 In Friuli Venezia Giulia, near the borders with Veneto, Masi has planted its vineyards in soils suited to the expression of the Venetian style by using autochthonous grapes and vinification methods allowing the production of extremely modern wines. In the vineyards called “Strà del Milione” - in the commune of Castions di Strada, in the Grave area - are being produced the wines “Modello delle Venezie” white and red, as well as the supervenetians Grandarella, obtained by dried autochthonous grapes, and Masianco, produced with Pinot Gris and Verduzzo Friulano. Recently has also been acquired the “del Bello Ovile” estate, in Val d'Orcia, in the borders of the Montalcino area. In these lands have been planted the autochthonous varieties Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero and Colorino, with the aim of producing two supertuscan wines - probably - from 2006 on. In the same project was also started a collaboration with Ezio Rivella - one of the most influential figures in the Italian wine scene - with the goal of producing Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino and Sant'Antimo in the “Pian di Rota” winery, located near Montalcino.

Dr. Sandro Boscaini, Chairman of Masi

 Masi has also acquired an estate in the Tupungato valley - in the Mendoza region, Argentina - after having scrupulously studied the condition of the place according to its viticultural and enological project. In the beginning were planted 10 hectares (about 2.5 acres) with many varieties, then the project continued with a more precise aim by planting Corvina and Corvinone, the main grapes in the area of Verona, responsible for the uniqueness of Amarone and of superior Valpolicella wines. The local component is represented by Malbec, the most representative red berried grape of Argentina, to which is added - although in a lesser proportion - the international Merlot. The first results in the land of Argentina were released in 1999 with the wines Corbec - produced with Corvina and Malbec grapes, overripe in mats just like Amarone - and Passo Doble, produced with the technique of double fermentation with Malbec e Corvina. Since more than 30 years, Masi collaborates with “Possessioni Serego Alighieri”, the noble family originating from the famous poet Dante and which owns prestigious vineyards in the Valpolicella area since 1353. The result of this collaboration has led to the creation of great wines, including the famous “Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Vaio Armaron”.

 Masi is leader in the production of historical wines - such as Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella - by using the technique of grape drying, becoming successful worldwide with the production of seven wines. Five of them are produced from single vineyards (cru), selected by Masi from the 1950's on. Masi has also rediscovered and improved the technique of double fermentation by using whole and slightly dried grapes. The first wines to be produced with this technique were the supervenetians Campofiorin with “ripasso” branding, and its particular selection, Brolo di Campofiorin. The other Masi's supervenetians are Toar, a wine exclusively produced with fresh grapes (non dried) of Verona, and Osar, which has been considered of great interest as an example of modern wine obtained by ancient grapes, produced with the indigenous Oseleta grape. Besides the three Veronese DOC wines of the classic area (Soave Levarie, Valpolicella Bonacosta and Bardolino Frescaripa), Masi also produces wines from selected vineyards: “Colbaraca” for Soave, “Dell'Anniversario Serego Alighieri” for Valpolicella and “La Vegrona” for Bardolino. Today Masi's wines are commercialized - besides Italy - in Canada, China, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and United States of America.

 The commitment of Masi is not only dedicated to wine. The “Premio Masi” (Masi Award) - created in the middle of the 1970 from an idea of the Veronese writer Cesare Marchi - every year awards a prize to illustrious figures of the world of literature, science, show and economy, who have particularly emphasized the Venetian civilization and the civilization of wine. With the endorsement of Premio Masi are being identified two international awards, respectively dedicated to “Venetian Civilization” and to “Wine Civilization”. Moreover, it is also awarded the special prize “Grosso Veneziano” - awarded whenever specific circumstances occur - given to non Venetian figures who contributed to spread in the world the message of culture and civilization originating from Veneto. The Premio Masi is awarded by the Masi Foundation, established in 2000 and which works in the promotion of Venetian Civilization, in its historical, cultural and productive aspects, in the valuation of wine as a culturally significative product of the Veneto lands. Masi foundation has also the goal of ensuring the continuity over time and the cultural spreading of the award, as well as promoting other events according to the goals of its statute.

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