Amarone Opera Prima 2027 – Verona, Italy

Panoramica

Amarone Opera Prima is the premier international event dedicated entirely to Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, the great red wine known as the King of Valpolicella and one of the most aristocratic and cherished wines of Veneto and of all Italy, organized by the Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella. The event marks the official market debut of the newest Amarone vintage before it hits the market, offering a sneak preview that brings together around 300 journalists from around the world and more than 1,500 wine lovers, collectors, sommeliers, importers and operators from over 20 different countries in the heart of Verona. Launched as Anteprima Amarone, the event has grown into a three-day wine festival of international stature, hosted in the prestigious Palazzo della Gran Guardia in Piazza Bra, the monumental 17th-century building facing the Roman Arena.

The core of Amarone Opera Prima is the presentation of the latest vintage, with a special emphasis on tasting tables where participating wineries pour their new release alongside a selection of earlier Amarone vintages, including Classico, Valpantena and Riserva styles. In recent editions the number of participating producers has reached 70 and more, representing the full spectrum of Valpolicella, from historic houses such as Bolla, Bertani, Allegrini, Masi, Pasqua, Quintarelli and Tommasi to boutique artisan estates and organic pioneers. The event is not only a tasting but a cultural project that explores identity, evolution and future of Amarone through conferences, data presentations from Nomisma Wine Monitor, masterclasses and artistic performances.

After a promotional agenda that in 2025 included 19 international events and 32 touring appointments across Italy, the Consorzio opens each new year with Amarone Opera Prima, positioning Amarone as the trait d’union of a collective identity narrative that links Italian cuisine recognized as UNESCO intangible heritage, the Olympic spirit and the excellence of Valpolicella. For wine lovers, professionals and media, it is the unmissable appointment to understand where Amarone is going while honoring its century-old roots.

What Makes This Food Event Special

The official world preview of a new Amarone vintage: Amarone Opera Prima is the only event where the new vintage of Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG is officially presented to the world. Journalists, buyers and enthusiasts taste the wines blind first, then in open walk-around tastings, with many wines still in cask or just bottled. This preview allows to grasp the character of the vintage, its aging potential and its expression across different terroirs before any market rating.

A historic venue in the heart of Verona: The event takes place in Palazzo della Gran Guardia, a magnificent 17th-century palace in Piazza Bra, right in front of the Roman Arena di Verona. The building’s grand halls, frescoed auditorium and spacious tasting floors create a majestic setting that elevates the tasting into a cultural experience. The proximity to the Arena also allows for unique tie-ins, such as invitations to attend Aida Opera by Verdi during the festival nights, attended by 100 international wine writers in past editions.

Masterclasses through time and terroir: One of the most anticipated moments is the series of masterclasses led by the Consorzio’s Vice President Andrea Lonardi MW and by international Masters of Wine. A signature masterclass titled The Memory of Time, A Journey Through Amarone’s Historic Vintages introduces participants to legendary bottles such as Amarone Bolla 1950, Montresor 1969, Bertani 1975, Santa Sofia 1983, Cecilia Beretta 1985, Mazzi 1997, Bussola 2000, Marion 2007 and Cesari 2010, offering an unforgettable tasting through decades of evolution. Other masterclasses explore the diversity of Valpolicella’s valleys and the versatility of Amarone in food pairing.

Gastronomy at the highest level: The festival pairs Amarone with haute cuisine. In past editions, a Michelin three-star lunch hosted by chef Giancarlo Perbellini at Teatro Filarmonico has been an invitation-only highlight, while food and wine matching tastings demonstrate that Amarone is not just a wine for stews, Sunday roasts and guinea fowl but also a versatile companion for modern cuisine, aged cheeses and even high-cacao dark chocolate.

Celebration of a century of Consorzio: The 21st edition celebrated 100 years of the Consorzio Vini Valpolicella from 1925 to 2025, with special installations, historic bottle exhibitions and storytelling about how Valpolicella became one of Italy’s most successful wine denominations. This centenary perspective gives the event a deep cultural and historical dimension beyond tasting.

Food, Cuisine & Specialties

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG is a powerful, warm, wide, enveloping, deep, dark and intense red wine produced from dried grapes, following the traditional appassimento method where Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella grapes are left to dry for about 120 days in aerated rooms called fruttai, concentrating sugars, aromas and flavors.

The main wine styles featured: During Amarone Opera Prima, visitors can taste Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico from the original historic zone, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Valpantena from the cooler eastern valley, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Riserva with extended aging, and in some editions, Amarone’s sister wines such as Valpolicella DOC Classico Superiore, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC and Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG, the sweet ancestor of Amarone.

Recommended food pairings explored at the event: The festival places strong emphasis on food pairing education. Classic pairings include pappardelle with wild boar meat sauce, roulades with speck and Parmesan, caponata Siciliana, grilled and roasted meats, game dishes, braised meats, soups and legume soups, boiled meats, bollito misto, brasato, gnocchi with amatriciana, troccoli cacio e pepe, and aged hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino aged, Monte Veronese, and Gorgonzola. Recent food and wine matching tastings have proven Amarone’s versatility with blackened leg of lamb with dried figs, flank steak, high-cacao dark chocolate with 70 percent or more, and even vegetarian proposals from the garden.

Tasting methodology: Experts recommend uncorking Amarone and decanting for one to two hours before serving at 16 to 20 degrees Celsius in a wide Ballon glass to allow its complex bouquet of cherry, dried fruit, chocolate, tobacco and spices to fully express.

Chefs, Restaurants & Food Vendors

Amarone Opera Prima is organized by the Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella and does not follow the model of a food fair with external vendors, but rather a wine salon where wineries themselves are the protagonists, supported by top chefs and institutions.

Wineries: Around 70 wineries participate each edition, including historic houses such as Allegrini, Bertani, Bolla, Masi Agricola, Pasqua Vines & Wines, Quintarelli, Tommasi, Zenato, Tedeschi, Speri, Bussola, Marion, Cesari, Santa Sofia, Montresor, Mazzi, Brigaldara, Begali, Allegrini, Monte Tondo, Zymè, and many organic and boutique estates. Each winery has its own tasting table where winemakers and agronomists pour and explain their wines, offering a direct dialogue with producers.

Chefs: The gastronomic highlight is often curated by three- Michelin-star chef Giancarlo Perbellini, who hosts exclusive lunches and dinners pairing Amarone with haute cuisine. Other chefs from Verona and Valpolicella, including members of the local restaurant association, participate in showcooking and pairing sessions, demonstrating how Amarone can enhance both traditional and contemporary dishes.

Institutions and partners: The event collaborates with Nomisma Wine Monitor for market data presentations, with the Arena di Verona Foundation for opera evenings, with the Scuola Alberghiera and with local consortia for cheese and cured meats, ensuring that food pairings are of the highest quality and representative of Veneto’s culinary excellence.

Food Experience

The food experience at Amarone Opera Prima is structured as an immersive, educational and sensory journey designed for both professionals and passionate wine lovers.

Walk-around tasting: The heart of the experience is the grand walk-around tasting spread over two floors of Palazzo della Gran Guardia. Visitors receive a tasting glass and move freely among tasting tables, where they can taste the new vintage from all participating wineries, compare different terroirs, ask questions to winemakers and take notes. The tasting includes not only the new vintage but also a selection of older vintages, allowing for vertical comparisons and understanding of aging potential.

Technical and blind tastings: For press and professionals, the event begins with an inaugural conference and a blind tasting of the new vintage, with wines still in cask or just bottled, evaluated without knowing the producer. This technical session provides an objective overview of the vintage’s quality and style.

Masterclass: Seated masterclasses led by Andrea Lonardi MW and international experts guide participants through thematic tastings, such as The Memory of Time journey through historic vintages, or focused tastings on Classico versus Valpantena, or Amarone and its terroir diversity. These masterclasses are limited in seats and highly sought after, offering deep insights with considerable clarity and passion.

Food and wine pairing sessions: Special sessions demonstrate the versatility of Amarone with food, proving that it is not just a meditation wine to be drunk alone after a meal but also an excellent table wine with grilled meats, game, aged cheeses and even chocolate. Dishes are prepared live and paired with different Amarone styles to show how tannins, acidity and alcohol interact with food.

Cultural evenings: On some evenings, participants are invited to attend Aida Opera at the Roman Arena, creating a unique combination of wine and music that celebrates Verona’s dual identity as city of wine and city of opera.

Data e Programma

Date degli eventi: January–February 2027 (Dates TBD)

Official Timing and Program Structure Based on Previous Editions:

Durata: The festival typically takes place over three days, from Friday to Sunday, with activities running from late morning until evening.

Inaugural Day – Friday: Morning press conference with presentation of Amarone sales data in Italy and abroad based on Nomisma Wine Monitor, followed by blind tasting for international press and opening of walk-around tasting for operators in the afternoon. Evening may include exclusive Michelin-star lunch or opera invitation at Arena di Verona.

Second Day – Saturday: Full day walk-around tasting open to public and professionals from late morning until evening, with masterclasses in the afternoon, including The Memory of Time historic vintage masterclass. Evening cultural events.

Third Day – Sunday: Final day of walk-around tasting, masterclasses and closing events, with focus on wine lovers and general public.

Daily Hours: Typically from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM for public tastings, with extended hours for special events.

Full Detailed Schedule for 2027 will be published on the official website amaroneoperaprima.it, with exact days, masterclass times and booking links.

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Posizione e sede

Amarone Opera Prima takes place in Verona, one of Italy’s most romantic and historic cities, located in the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, at the foot of the Lessini Mountains and crossed by the Adige River. Verona is known worldwide for its Roman Arena, its medieval historic center UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for being the gateway to Valpolicella, the wine region that stretches north of the city between Lake Garda and the Lessini Hills.

The venue is Palazzo della Gran Guardia, located in Piazza Bra, Verona, VR 37121. Built in the 17th century as a military building to house the city guard, the palace is now a prestigious exhibition and conference center with grand halls, high ceilings, large windows overlooking Piazza Bra and the Arena, and a spacious auditorium. Its central location makes it easily reachable on foot from Verona’s main attractions, hotels and restaurants.

During the event, the palace is transformed into a wine palace, with tasting tables on multiple floors, an auditorium for conferences and masterclasses, and areas for catering and relaxation. The proximity to Piazza Bra, with its cafes, restaurants and wine bars, allows visitors to continue their wine experience outside the official venue, with many local restaurants offering special Amarone Opera Prima menus.

Come arrivare all'evento

By Air: Verona is served by Verona Villafranca Airport, also known as Valerio Catullo Airport, located about 12 kilometers from the city center, with connections to major Italian and European cities. Other nearby airports include Venice Marco Polo, Milan Bergamo and Milan Malpensa, all within 90 to 150 minutes by car or train.

By Train: Verona Porta Nuova railway station is a major railway hub on the Milan-Venice and Brenner lines, served by high-speed trains Frecciarossa and Italo, with direct connections from Milan in about 75 minutes, from Venice in about 70 minutes and from Rome in about four hours. From the station, Palazzo della Gran Guardia is about 15 minutes’ walk or a short bus ride.

By Car: Verona is easily reachable via A4 Milano-Venezia and A22 Brennero motorways, with exits at Verona Nord and Verona Sud. The city center is a limited traffic zone, so it is advisable to park in designated parking areas such as Parcheggio Arena, Parcheggio Cittadella or Parcheggio Centro, and walk to the venue.

Local Mobility: Verona’s historic center is compact and walkable, with all main attractions within walking distance. Local buses operated by ATV connect the station to Piazza Bra. Comfortable shoes are recommended due to cobblestones.

Dove Alloggiare nelle vicinanze

Verona offers a wide range of accommodation options for all budgets, from luxury hotels in historic palaces to boutique bed and breakfasts, family-run guesthouses and agriturismi in Valpolicella.

Staying in the historic center, within walking distance of Palazzo della Gran Guardia and Piazza Bra, offers the advantage of walking to the event without needing transportation. Many hotels are located in renovated historic buildings with frescoed ceilings and terraces overlooking the Arena or Piazza Bra. Boutique hotels and design hotels are available near Piazza delle Erbe and along the Adige River.

For those who prefer a wine country experience, agriturismi and wine resorts in Valpolicella, in villages such as Negrar, Marano, Fumane, Sant’Ambrogio and San Pietro in Cariano, offer tranquility, vineyard views, swimming pools and farm-to-table breakfasts with local cheeses and cured meats. These properties often organize vineyard walks, cellar tours and cooking classes, and provide shuttle services to Verona during the event.

Nearby Lake Garda, only 30 minutes away, offers luxury lakefront hotels and spa resorts ideal for extending the stay.

Booking well in advance, at least two to three months ahead, is strongly recommended, as the event coincides with high season for wine tourism and Verona’s hotels fill up quickly, especially for weekend nights.

Cose da fare prima o dopo l'evento

Visit the Arena di Verona: The Roman Arena, one of the best preserved amphitheaters in the world, is located right in front of Palazzo della Gran Guardia. Visit its interior, attend an opera performance or simply enjoy its grandeur from Piazza Bra.

Explore Verona’s historic center: Discover Piazza delle Erbe with its market and frescoed buildings, Piazza dei Signori, Juliet’s House with its famous balcony, Castelvecchio and its bridge over the Adige, and the Duomo complex.

Wine tours in Valpolicella: Take a day trip to Valpolicella to visit wineries producing Amarone, Valpolicella Classico, Ripasso and Recioto. Villages such as Negrar, Marano, Fumane and San Pietro in Cariano offer cellar tours, vineyard walks, barrel tastings and spectacular views of terraced vineyards and cherry trees.

Lago di Garda: Only 30 minutes away, Lake Garda offers charming towns such as Bardolino, Lazise and Garda, with wine estates producing Bardolino DOC and Chiaretto, as well as boat tours, olive oil mills and medieval castles.

Cultural excursions: Visit Vicenza with Palladio’s architecture, Mantua with its Gonzaga palaces, or Venice for a day trip, all easily reachable by train.

Gastronomic experiences: Join cooking classes for fresh pasta, risotto all’Amarone, and traditional Veronese dishes, truffle hunting in Lessini Mountains, cheese tasting tours for Monte Veronese DOP and olive oil tastings from Lake Garda.

Restaurants & Local Food to Try

Verona and Valpolicella offer outstanding trattorias, osterias, enotecas and fine dining restaurants where you can deepen your culinary journey beyond the festival.

Must-try dishes: Pastissada de caval, a traditional horse meat stew marinated in Amarone, risotto all’Amarone, gnocchi with Monte Veronese cheese, tortellini di Valeggio, bollito with pearà sauce, grilled meats, polenta, and for dessert, pandoro, the traditional Veronese Christmas cake, and sbrisolona, a crumbly almond cake. Pair these with Amarone, Valpolicella Ripasso and Recioto.

Prodotti locali: Monte Veronese DOP cheese, Soppressa Veneta, Grana Padano, extra virgin olive oil from Lake Garda DOP, cherries from Valpolicella, and white truffle from Lessini.

Recommended restaurant styles: Historic osterias in Verona’s center for traditional Veronese cuisine at reasonable prices, enotecas and wine bars around Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe for aperitivo with Amarone by the glass, Michelin-starred restaurants in Valpolicella for creative interpretations, and agriturismi for farm-to-table experiences.

Food shopping: Local shops sell Amarone, Recioto, olive oil, cheeses, cured meats, sbrisolona and pandoro that make excellent souvenirs, with many vendors offering shipping services.

Dietary & Food Allergy Information

The festival is attentive to dietary needs, with options available across different venues.

Vegetarian and vegan options: Many food stands and restaurants offer vegetarian preparations such as risotto with Monte Veronese, polenta with mushrooms, grilled vegetables, salads with nuts and cheese platters. Vegan options are available but more limited, as many traditional recipes use butter, eggs or meat broth. Some stands offer vegan plates with grilled vegetables and polenta.

Gluten-free: Many dishes such as polenta, grilled meats, cheese platters, risotto and many desserts based on almond flour are naturally gluten-free. Pasta alternatives such as rice-based pasta and gluten-free bread are increasingly available. For guided tastings, inform staff in advance.

Allergens: All authorized food points are required to display allergen information in accordance with EU regulations, listing presence of gluten, nuts, dairy, eggs, celery and other major allergens. Since preparation takes place in crowded conditions, cross-contact cannot be fully excluded for severe allergies. Speak directly with vendors, carry personal medication if needed and contact organizers in advance for specific guidance.

Wine allergies and sulfites: All wines contain sulfites, naturally produced during fermentation and sometimes added in small quantities to preserve freshness. Organic wines from wineries belonging to protection consortia are highlighted, with minimal intervention methods that may be more suitable for sensitive individuals.

Informazioni sui biglietti

Amarone Opera Prima offers two main ticket categories, with pricing based on previous editions converted to USD.

Wine Lover Ticket: USD 46 online. Ticket dedicated to public of enthusiasts and wine lovers. This ticket grants access to walk-around tasting of new Amarone vintage and older vintages from all participating wineries, participation in selected masterclasses subject to availability, tasting glass and catalog. At box office entrance, tickets are available only at full price of USD 54.

Operator Ticket: USD 27 online. Ticket reserved for operators of HORECA sector, import and export of wine, retail and wholesale of enogastronomic products, oenological sector and sommeliers. To receive information about reduced ticket, write to info@consorziovalpolicella.it. Personal data collected will be treated by Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella only to provide requested information and to allow entitled persons to benefit from reserved advantage, and subsequently deleted.

What is included: Both tickets include access to Palazzo della Gran Guardia, walk-around tastings, participation in inaugural conference and selected masterclasses subject to reservation, tasting glass and event guide.

Where to buy: Tickets can be purchased online via Boxol platform at www.boxol.it and via official website amaroneoperaprima.it, with simple purchase process. Buying online in advance is strongly recommended as tickets often sell out.

Additional costs: Some exclusive masterclasses such as The Memory of Time historic vintage tasting may require separate invitation or additional fee, with limited seats reserved for press and professionals.

Informazioni ufficiali sull'evento

Title: Amarone Opera Prima 2027 – Verona, Italy

Organizzatore: Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella – Consorzio Vini Valpolicella

Sito ufficiale: https://amaroneoperaprima.it/it

Contact E-mail: info@consorziovalpolicella.it

Telefono: +39 045 770 3194

Sede: Palazzo della Gran Guardia, Piazza Bra, Verona, VR 37121, Italy

Social and Updates: Full program, winery list with over 70 producers, masterclass schedule, market data presentations and booking links are published on the official website amaroneoperaprima.it and on official social media channels. Follow official channels for announcements about Michelin-star lunches, opera evenings and historic vintage tastings.

Notes: The event takes place regardless of weather conditions, as it is indoors. Visitors are asked to drink responsibly, use spittoons, and support local producers.

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