Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani: Proud to Be FIVI Independent Winemakers and Stewards of Veronese Tradition
The estate is proud to be part of the Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers (FIVI), a collective of artisanal winemakers committed to authenticity, sustainability, and a deep-rooted connection to the land.
In the heart of the Veneto region, where vineyard-covered hills whisper stories of centuries past, Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani stands as a guardian of a time-honored winemaking tradition. The estate is proud to be a member of the Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers (FIVI) — a collective of artisanal producers united by the values of authenticity, sustainability, and a deep-rooted connection to their land. Every wine is fully traceable and crafted exclusively from estate-grown grapes.
Rooted in a long-standing family legacy, Tenuta Santa Maria vinifies only its own grapes, cultivated in the family’s historic vineyards in Arbizzano di Negrar (in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica), in Colognola ai Colli (within the Soave appellation), and soon from a new, ambitious project in Grezzana. The estate is deeply committed to preserving and reviving heritage varieties, including Corvina (in a proprietary clone), Rondinella, Oseleta, Garganega, and more than twenty historic cultivars of the Veronese viticultural tradition—some of them nearly extinct. Alongside this work, the winery conducts meticulous research into the native yeast strains naturally present in its vineyards and cellars, enhancing the microbial identity of the land in every bottle.
The vinification process follows traditional, time-honored methods: natural air-drying on bamboo mats (arelle) for Amarone and Recioto grapes without mechanical dehumidification, and long aging in large oak casks, recalling the elegance and depth of historic Amarone.
To join FIVI, winegrowers must meet strict criteria: they must farm their own vineyards, vinify only estate-grown grapes, bottle under their own label, and adopt sustainable practices—such as those outlined by the SQNPI certification, which Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani upholds to protect biodiversity and safeguard the viticultural landscape.
But being part of FIVI also means joining a living, dynamic network of over 1,700 independent winegrowers—a fabric of people, places, and values that come together at events like the Mercato dei Vini, where each bottle is a story shared directly with those who seek meaning in wine.
For Tenuta Santa Maria, being FIVI is not just a certification—it is a choice of coherence, identity, and cultural stewardship. It means preserving the soul of Verona’s wine heritage while looking boldly toward the future, rooted in tradition and inspired by authenticity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Independent winemakers are producers who grow their own grapes, vinify them, bottle, and sell their wine under their own responsibility, managing every stage of production.
The FIVI logo, featuring the “Ampelio” symbol, identifies wines produced by independent winemakers who oversee the entire production process, ensuring quality, authenticity, and a connection to the territory.
FIVI (Italian Federation of Independent Winemakers) is a non-profit organization, founded in 2008, that promotes and protects Italian independent winemakers, representing them in institutional settings.
