Valle d'Illasi, Verona

Vineyards and olive groves

ILATIUM is a business that has changed with time, acquiring pieces of land over the years, reaching its current size.
Today 40 hectares are cultivated directly, subdivided between the Valpolicella and Soave zone, producing approximately 6 thousand quintals of P.D.O grapes.
The vineyards are spread out over three geographical areas that are close to each other yet have completely different microclimates and soils. They provide the possibility of obtaining grapes with different organoleptic characteristics every time, with differentiated ripening times, which allows for better organisation of the frenetic grape harvesting days.

The main vineyards at ILATIUM are:

"La Calle" vineyard
In the middle of the Val d'Illasi in the locality of Calle, at an altitude of 75-80 metres above sea level, Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave D.O.P. grapes are grown. The pergola training system is used with a plant density of 4,500 vine stocks per hectare. The soil is the typical alluvial limestone, with a silty, sandy and gravelly texture, of the Val d'Illasi.

"Sottomonte" vineyard
At the foot of Monte Tenda, east of the village of Illasi in Sottomonte, at an altitude of about 160 metres above sea level, Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Croatina D.O.P. grapes are grown. The Guyot training system is used with a plant density of 8,000 vine stocks per hectare. In this area, the classic alluvial limestone of Illasi differs with its clay content, whereas the soil skeleton is considerably reduced.

"Forade" vineyard
In the middle of the Val d'Illasi, in the locality of Forade, at an altitude of about 200 metres above sea level, Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Croatina D.O.P. grapes are grown. The espalier training system is used with a plant density of 8,000 vine stocks per hectare. The soil is the typical alluvial limestone, with a silty, sandy and gravelly texture, of the Val d'Illasi.

"Ai Progni" vineyard
In the centre of Illasi, very close to the Progno stream, at an altitude of about 70 metres above sea level, Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave D.O.P. grapes are grown. The espalier training system is mainly used with a plant density of 8,000 vine stocks per hectare. The soil is alluvial with a rich soil skeleton of average size. In this area, we have experimented with a Guyot-trained vineyard, with a plant density of 13,000 vine stocks per hectare, which has reached full maturity in recent years.

"Leòn" vineyard
In the middle of the Val Mezzane, at an altitude of about 120 metres above sea level, Corvina, Corvinone, Oseleta, Croatina, Rondinella D.O.P. and Garganega D.O.P. grapes are grown. The Guyot training system is mainly used with an ideal north-south position and a plant density of about 9,000 vine stocks per hectare. The alluvial limestone soil has a considerably higher clay content.

"Mezzane ai Monti" vineyard
Here in the hills west of the village of Mezzane di Sotto, at an altitude of about 300 metres above sea level, Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Croatina D.O.P. grapes are grown. The training systems used are half pergola and half Guyot. The average age of the vines is about 30 years old and the plant density is about 5,000 vine stocks per hectare. The soil is clayey with little soil skeleton.

"Grezzana" vineyard
The vineyard is situated in the hills west of the village of Grezzana, at an altitude of about 200 metres above sea level. Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Croatina D.O.P. grapes are grown, mainly using the Guyot training system. The average age of the vineyards is about 30 years old and the plant density is about 5,000 vine stocks per hectare. The soil is calcareous with small soil skeleton.

"l'Olivara" olive grove
The olive grove is situated to the south-west of the hill where the Illasi castle stands, at an altitude of about 300 metres above sea level. The presence of centuries-old olive trees is evidence of the special suitability of this territory for growing olives. The main types of olives grown are Perlarol, Favarol, Grignano and Frantoio. The soil is clayey with a rich soil skeleton situated just a few centimetres below the first layer of soil.