Palazzo Montanari – 2025 Local winner Best Of Wine Tourism Award – category “Art&Culture” – rises gently among the vineyards of Bure, in the heart of Valpolicella Classica (Verona). Once the residence of the historic Montanari family, this elegant Venetian villa has found new life thanks to the passion and dedication of the Nicolis family. Today, under the care of Massimo and Susanna, the villa has become a place where authenticity, warmth, and a deep love for the land come together.
When Massimo first discovered the villa, he saw more than an ancient building with a 14th-century dovecote tower. He saw the chance to restore a piece of history. During the renovation, the family uncovered extraordinary frescoes that had long been hidden beneath layers of plaster. With patience and care, these artworks were brought back to light, revealing colors and stories that had been silent for centuries. The rediscovery of these frescoes perfectly mirrors the family’s philosophy: to uncover beauty, preserve tradition, and give new life to what time had concealed.
Massimo’s agricultural roots run deep. He worked the fields with his brothers long before beginning this new adventure and that spirit of dedication continues in every vineyard row and bottle produced at the estate.
Susanna, his wife, is at the heart of all hospitality activities, welcoming guests with warmth and grace and ensuring that everyone who arrives feels immediately at home. The couple is supported by their children. Giulia and Anna play active roles in the family business, helping to maintain the welcoming atmosphere that defines the estate. Andrea, the agronomist, follows every stage of vineyard life, from treatments to harvest, working side by side with his father in the fields. The family is further supported by a small, dedicated team that shares the same passion for Palazzo Montanari. Valentina and Chiara ensure that guest reception is always professional and friendly, while Daniela oversees the rooms and breakfasts with care and attention to detail.
Together, they create an environment where guests feel valued, cared for, and truly at home. The estate remains intentionally small, focused on quality over quantity.
The wines, Valpolicella Classico, Ripasso, Amarone, and Recioto, reflect the character of the calcareous, mineral-rich soil, while the family’s extra virgin olive oil completes the portrait of a land cultivated with respect and care.
At Palazzo Montanari, wine tasting is not just a ritual. It’s an experience. Guests are guided by Massimo, Susanna, and the family through the vineyards and the “brolo,” a natural amphitheater lined with olive trees and dry-stone walls, before stepping into the frescoed halls of the villa. Tastings are intimate and personal, blending stories, traditions, and flavors in an authentic encounter between visitors and thefamily.
For those who wish to stay longer, the villa offers seven charming rooms, each lovingly restored to reflect the elegance of the original residence. Surrounded by vineyards and silence, guests can wake up to the peaceful rhythms of the countryside, while remaining just a short drive from Verona and Lake Garda. It’s an ideal escape for those seeking beauty, tranquility, and connection.
Palazzo Montanari is more than a destination. It is a living story of family, heritage, and wine passion.
Every glass of wine, every conversation, every sunrise over the vineyards tells a story of rebirth: a story where Massimo and Susanna, together with their devoted family and staff, continue to bring the past into the present with authenticity, care, and heart.
Photo credits: Palazzo Montanari