Inside Villa San Michele, Ugolini Vini’s “church of wine”
Nestled in the heart of Valpolicella Classica, surrounded by an amphitheater of vineyards dotted with olive trees, figs, and cypresses, rises Villa San Michele, the heart and soul of Ugolini Vini. A sacred space for wine lovers, with its breathtaking views, symbolic design, and poetic connection to the land.
Originally built in the 12th century as a home for tenant farmers cultivating land for the Abbey of San Zeno in Verona, the villa’s roots are deeply entwined with the agrarian and spiritual history of the region. The area, once known as San Micheléto in local dialect, takes its name from the Romanesque chapel dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, still visible atop the hill.
Over the centuries, Villa San Michele has witnessed many lives—from medieval farmsted to Austrian military barracks under the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia in the 19th century, as attested by the imperial coat of arms still guarding the main gate. Today, its thick stone walls, once used to age cheeses and meats, now house fine wine reserves and an outstanding hospitality space.
The Ugolini family has spent the last twenty years carefully restoring the building, guided by a single, poetic ambition: to create a true “sanctuary of wine“.
A sanctuary of wine, architecture, and landscape
Named after the Archangel Michael, Villa San Michele radiates a spirit of protection and reverence. The figure of Saint Michael is a silent guardian of the estate, evoked in symbolic points throughout the villa.
From reclaimed antique furniture to the Pietra di Prun flooring, the design embodies elegance through simplicity – much like Ugolini’s wines, which are known for their elegance, balance, and quiet complexity. Here, wine architecture becomes an extension of terroir and tradition.
This sacred atmosphere finds its echo in the villa’s most intimate details—a monumental wooden table cloaked in Florentine brass, a Mayan-inspired pyramid made of sea stone and embedded with shells, pearls, and ancient fossils from the local hills.
“Every piece of this villa is a piece of our heart”, says Giambattista Ugolini, founder of Ugolini Vini. “Restoring it with my siblings and dedicating a room to our father, Angelo, has been one of the most meaningful chapters of our lives”.
A place where wine meets wonder
Visitors to Ugolini Vini are invited to taste… and to feel. To slow down. To reconnect. A glass of Amarone or Recioto sipped on the panoramic terrace becomes part of something larger—a meditative experience where the senses open and time seems to expand. This is wine tourism in Italy at its finest: immersive, authentic, and quietly luxurious.
Palazzo Montanari, a refined 16th Venetian Villa
Located In the peaceful hilly countryside of Valpolicella, between Verona’s historic center and the shores of Lake Garda, Palazzo Montanari is a refined 16th-century Venetian Villa, that embodies timeless art, history and culture. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city yet easily accessible, this architectural gem offers a quiet and luxury retreat.
Originally built as a Medieval dovecote tower, with a defensive function, Palazzo Montanari was later transformed into a Villa under the domination of Venice. The house was extended with wine cellars, a courtyard, grand reception halls, and a scenic brolo, a walled field cultivated with vineyards and olive trees in the typical landscape of dry-stone walls and terraces.
Best Of Wine Tourism Award 2025 – “Art and Culture”
The interiors, richly frescoed with mythological and literary themes, preserve all the charm of a manor house steeped in centuries of culture and art. For this reason it was awarded the Price for Art & Culture 2025 by Best of Wine Tourism.
An experience of beauty, hospitality, and authenticity
Our luxury accommodation retreats are spacious, bright, and fully self-contained, designed for guests seeking peace, elegance, and privacy. Each lodge includes breakfast with local, homemade products and is perfect for both short stays and extended getaways.
Whether you are enjoying a glass of our wines overlooking our stunning view of Valpolicella, exploring the countryside by bike, or indulging in the region’s culinary delights, your stay at Palazzo Montanari will offer you an unforgettable escape.
What makes your time here even more special are our experiences, designed to immerse you in the soul of our estate wines such as Ripasso and Amarone. Walk among the vines, under the olive trees, enjoy guided tastings and tours, and discover our products in their most authentic context, in the heart of an historic Venetian villa.
Palazzo Montanari is more than a place to stay, it is an experience of beauty, hospitality, and authenticity.
Photo credits: Ugolini Vini – Palazzo Montanari