Massimago

Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy

Massimago occupies a quiet, slightly wilder corner of Valpolicella - a natural amphitheatre deep in the Mezzane Valley. The Cracco family has held this land since 1883, long before Valpolicella had the fame it carries today and for generations, the vineyards were farmed in the old way: by hand, by instinct, and by the rhythm of the seasons.

The estate’s modern chapter began when Camilla Rossi Chauvenet stepped forward to shoulder the responsibility of this lineage. Camilla is that rare figure who blends intuition with discipline - a self-made winemaker who reshaped the estate vine by vine, barrel by barrel, and decision by decision.

Massimago under Camilla became a true vigneron’s project. Organic practices were adopted early, carried out long before they were fashionable, and eventually recognized with full certification in 2014.

In the cellar, Camilla’s approach is equally measured. Fermentations follow native yeast whenever possible, refining the natural dialogue between vineyard and wine. Ageing vessels are chosen not for trend but for harmony: large casks, neutral wood, and a careful eye on balance. Her Valpolicella is lifted and expressive. Her Ripasso shows generosity without weight. And her Amarone developed slowly and without force.

What sets Massimago apart is the sense that Camilla and the estate have grown together. She often says they “walk hand in hand,” and the wines reflect that steady companionship: grounded in history but unmistakably modern in intent. What began as a rustic family home has evolved into an atelier of wine, hospitality, and thoughtful creativity, where the past is honoured and the future is shaped with care.

Massimago today stands as one of the clearest, most personal interpretations of the Mezzane Valley - a winery where no corner is cut, where nature sets the tempo, and where each bottle carries the quiet persistence of a place and the woman who chose to devote her life to it.