Italy has so much to offer travelers from its stunning Roman cities steeped in millenniums of history, museums filled with countless treasures, and outdoor piazzas with mesmerizing statues. Italy is a mecca for devotees of wine and culinary experiences and is rich in all manner of cuisine from truffles to tiramisu. All over Italy, there are hideaways for hopeless romantics looking to run away and fall in love. One of Northern Italy’s most idyllic hamlets is Verona, a place so beautiful that it is the inspiration for the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It also happens to be where lovers of wine flock to appreciate the award-winning Allegrini wines and their haven of hospitality, the Villa Della Torre.

Verona is a scenic medieval village built along the banks of the rolling Adige River and in fact is so amazing that the entire city has been designated as a World Heritage site. There you’ll find, Arena, an ancient open-air Roman amphitheater, built in the first century and still stands as an iconic venue famous for large scale opera performances in the center of the city. Sprawling piazzas like Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe are perfect places to sit, sip an Aperol and watch the world go by. The traveler’s options continue with Via Mazzini which is the street with the poshest shops for the international fashionista.

Besides the tale of the of the world’s most famous love birds, the region around Verona is known for their exquisite wine varietals such as one of Italy’s top red wine exports, Amarone. Valpolicella is the land between Lake Garda and Verona and where you’ll find one of Italy’s top wine producers, the Allegrini family, who has been producing beloved wines for seven generations.

Building the Allegrini wine dynasty did not happen overnight. Allegrini has developed from a small company in an unknown village in Northern Italy to an international powerhouse. Now they have multiple family owned vineyards in several wine regions with worldwide distribution. The Allegrini focus has been on quality. Between their three estates (one in Veneto and two in Tuscany), they released over 60 wines rated 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator. Their flagship wine is Amarone which is a robust red wine best enjoyed when paired with hearty dishes such as game, roasted and grilled meats. Their wines are complex, full of character and can be aged for 20 years or more.

As the family matriarch and CEO, Marilisa Allegrini is also the brands most prominent ambassador and often jet-sets around the globe. Under her leadership, the business has grown the small family winery into one of Italy’s largest producers producing 350,000 cases a year with distribution in the US, Europe and Asia. The company is also a good steward of the land applying sustainable viticulture practices and have received organic certification. “We want to minimize impact on the environment, both physically and aesthetically. Obviously, our land is our greatest asset. What we do today impacts what we leave for our children tomorrow”, Marilisa concernedly states.

The love of wine is more than about filling a glass. It is about enjoying the good times with friends and family and good food. The Allegrini family knows the importance of this element being imperative to truly enjoy wine. With that in mind, Marilisa Allegrini turned her focus to creating a haven for family and friends in the Villa Della Torre.

The Allegrini family opened Villa Della Torre in 2016 as a 5-star boutique hotel surrounded by Palazzo della Torre estate vineyard. It was built during the Renaissance period along the lines of the ancient Roman home or ‘Domus Antiqua. The restoration was a labor of love for Marilisa who shares why Villa Della Torre is such a personal treasure. “I used to play in the villa and dreamed that one day it would belong to my family.” Her father already managed the vineyard surrounding the villa. “Now our dream has come true. I am also passionate about art, creative expression and beauty. I think these things are essential in the world of wine; wine and art are natural partners. You cannot make great wine without passion and conviction, and a strong aesthetic sense.” It became a passion project for her, overseeing all the renovations personally including the interior design and furnishings. She was very attentive to integrating technology seamlessly so as to keep the villa’s ancient history in the limelight it deserves as a Renaissance piece. Ten luxury rooms are available for visitors. It serves as a unique retreat for the lucky few who can come experience it.

Hospitality is the trademark of the Allegrini family. Year-round, they welcome visitors to tour their vineyards and winery as well as taste their fine wines and gain a greater appreciation for them. They offer a variety of ways for tourists to experience the world of Allegrini. Additionally visitors can partake in cooking classes or watch concerts in this magical setting or come for various cultural events including art exhibitions, fashion shows or even hot air ballooning.

For the lover of wine, history and Italian culture a visit to home of one of Italy’s finest wine producers is a treat to long be remembered after the luggage is unpacked. The Allegrini Wines and Villa Della Torre are truly an unforgettable experience.  After all, who says you can’t go to wine heaven and still go back home?