San Carlo
Located in the hills east of Verona, just outside the city, the Villa San Carlo Estate is a large and unspoilt haven of greenery, covering 70 hectares in total, 20 of which are planted with vines. Its beating heart is the elegant 18th-century villa, which nowadays boasts an eclectic neoclassical style of architecture dating back to the early 20th century. With its vineyards, olive groves and acres of pure woodland, the Estate overlooks a village dating back to pre-Roman times: with its impressive castle ruins, Montorio Veronese has become renowned for its clear spring waters. The Romans had realised how valuable this water was and channelled it into an aqueduct that served the entire settlement of Verona. Its perfect southwest exposure, the mild and breezy climate, the quality of the calcareous soil and the differences in altitude, which create an ideal microclimate for the grape varieties, are what make this hillside, with its ancient terraces, particularly suited to cultivation. This natural and architectural heritage has thus been preserved over the years, thanks to love and respect for the land. Facing the sunset, the Villa, from the top of Mount Martinelli, looks out onto the horizon and, as the sun sets over the Morainic hills, it offers a charming interplay of light and shade and a breathtaking view of the area around Verona.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tenuta Villa San Carlo located and in what wine area does it produce?
Villa San Carlo is located in the eastern hills of Verona, in Montorio, just a few kilometers from the city center, in the heart of eastern Valpolicella. The estate covers 70 hectares, of which 20 are under vine, dedicated to Valpolicella's native varieties for wines such as Amarone. The area enjoys southwest exposure, a mild, breezy climate, calcareous soil and marked variation in altitude — conditions that create a microclimate particularly favorable to viticulture.
Who founded Tenuta Villa San Carlo? Is it a family business?
Yes: Villa San Carlo is owned by the Pavesi family. The estate is built around an elegant villa of 18th-century origin, rebuilt in an eclectic neoclassical style in the early 1900s, and is today run by the same family, who oversee both its wine and olive oil production, with an annual output of around 30,000 bottles of wine.
What wines does Tenuta Villa San Carlo produce?
The winery focuses on Valpolicella's native varieties, with production geared toward excellent wines such as Amarone. Besides wine, the estate also produces an award-winning Veneto Valpolicella DOP extra virgin olive oil, from the property's ten hectares of olive groves — a sign of an approach that values the whole agricultural landscape of the estate, not just the vineyard.
Can you visit Tenuta Villa San Carlo? Do they offer tastings?
Yes, the estate offers three different sensory experiences with itineraries that include wine and olive oil tastings, cellar visits and walks through the vineyards. The starting point for the various experiences, including food pairings and guided tours of the vineyard, cellar and historic property, is the wine shop at the base of the hill, in the village of Montorio.
Where can you buy Tenuta Villa San Carlo wines?
Besides direct sales at the estate's Montorio wine shop, the winery launched an e-commerce platform during the pandemic, seen as a strategic development opportunity for the business, both now and in the future. The wines are also available through retailers such as Enoteca di Piazza.
