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ISSIMO x Women in Wine: Marilisa Allegrini

June 11, 2025

ISSIMO x Women in Wine: Marilisa Allegrini

Talking legacy and all-things wine with the president of the Gruppo Marilisa Allegrini

Few names carry as much weight in Italian wine as Marilisa Allegrini. The winemaker is the president and beating heart of the Gruppo Marilisa Allegrini, a family-run company with over 400 years of winemaking history in Valpolicella (if Amarone is now known around the world, it's because of her). But don’t let the legacy fool you – Marilisa is no figurehead of tradition.

Over the years, she has expanded the family legacy into Tuscany with renowned estates in Bolgheri and Montalcino, fiercely embraced sustainability, and shaped the narrative of Italian wine on her own terms.

We caught up with the woman who helped bring one of Italy’s boldest reds to the world stage to talk about legacy, leadership, sustainability – and the perfect pairing for Brunello.

Your family has been making wine in Valpolicella for over four centuries. What does the word ‘legacy’ mean to you, and how do you balance tradition and innovation in your work today?

More than "heritage," I prefer the word legacy. It speaks not only to what we inherit, but to what we choose to preserve, reinterpret, and pass on. It evokes a sense of belonging, responsibility, and shared identity. I received this legacy from my father, and I’m deeply proud of it – I want the same for my daughters. In wine, as in many sectors, there’s no future without the courage to innovate. But real innovation must be rooted in a deep understanding of where we come from. In that sense, tradition isn't a constraint – it’s a guide. Everything starts with shared values. Without them, there’s no identity, and without identity, there’s no vision.

You were a driving force in bringing Amarone to international attention. What was your vision at the beginning of that journey, and what has surprised you most along the way?

I began traveling very young, especially in the U.S., and I always held a clear belief: producing a great wine isn’t enough – you have to know how to tell its story, to build a cultural dialogue around what it represents. I’m proud to have helped bring Italian wine to the world stage as an expression of a unique land and centuries-old tradition. Italian fine wine speaks a universal language – one of authenticity and passion. I’ve learned that when there’s truth in what you do, the world listens. Today, more than ever, I stand by that vision: wine must be told, but the wine world also has to open its doors. Wine culture is closely tied to hospitality, and in that, we Italians are second to none.

From the hills of Bolgheri to Montalcino, the Gruppo Marilisa Allegrini has expanded with elegance and consistency. What draws you to a place when choosing a new estate?

I believe in love at first sight. That’s how it was with Bolgheri – an instant connection. What wins me over is the soul of a place: its authentic beauty, its winemaking potential of course, but above all, its ability to tell a story. I look for alignment with the values that have always guided me and my company. In Bolgheri and Montalcino, I found territories with strong identities – places capable of producing great wines, but also where the landscape, culture, and humanity speak the same language as the wine. It’s not just about acquiring land. It’s about entering a living context with humility, listening, and helping to enhance it with vision and respect. Along with Villa Della Torre in Fumane, Poggio al Tesoro and San Polo are home to me. An unbreakable bond I’m proud of.

In a male-dominated industry, you’ve built an extraordinary path. What challenges have most shaped you as a woman in wine, and how have you redefined leadership in this field?

When I started, women had a marginal role in the wine world. Today we’re leaders – and while inequality still exists, it must be faced with determination and optimism. I’ve always believed women have the right to act in ways that create change and bring awareness to their true value. For me, leadership has always been about dialogue, listening, and making choices that remain true to your values. I’ve never tried to imitate anyone. Today, I see more and more women making fundamental contributions to the wine world – and that tells me every step I took was part of a necessary change.

“In wine, as in many sectors, there’s no future without the courage to innovate. But real innovation must be rooted in a deep understanding of where we come from”

Sustainability is central to your philosophy. How do you view the relationship between environmental responsibility and the future of quality wine in Italy?

Sustainability is no longer a choice – it’s a moral and cultural necessity. We can’t talk about the future, or quality, without taking responsibility for protecting and regenerating the natural and human heritage we’ve been entrusted with. Wine comes from the land, and every agricultural act has an impact – on the landscape, the environment, and the community. Sustainability must be holistic: it involves viticulture, yes, but also energy, resource management, and the well-being of the people we work with. It’s a long-term vision that requires consistency and investment, but in return, it gives depth, identity, and credibility. Italy has a unique opportunity to lead this shift – merging tradition and innovation in a story of quality and accountability. That’s the real challenge: to make great wines that speak not only of terroir, but of the future.

What’s your favourite way to enjoy your wines – and what would you pair them with?

I believe the best way to enjoy wine is in the place it’s made. That’s why our estates are not just production sites – they’re places of hospitality. Tasting a wine at Villa Della Torre, surrounded by the very vines that produced it, or drinking Brunello at San Polo while looking out toward Monte Amiata, or sipping Poggio al Tesoro on the Tuscan coast – these are the kinds of experiences that truly reveal what we do and how we live this work. I love pairing our wines with local dishes from each region, or with the recipes my family always asks me to make. Duck à l’orange with San Polo’s Brunello, sea bass and ginger ravioli with Sondraia Bianco, or roast veal with Amarone.

Do you have a favourite wine?

That’s a tough question – each of our wines is part of a journey I’m deeply connected to. But Solosole might be the one I consider my boldest bet: a great white wine in a region known for its reds.

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