120 years for the Tommasi family

On the occasion of its 120 candle celebrations, the Tommasi family reveals for the first time that it has a rock soul that breaks the mold, language barriers and boundaries, in every sense.

The Tommasi winery, born in classic Valpolicella, celebrates its (first) 120 years and reveals its rock side. Accomplice perhaps to the collaboration with a modern and provocative company such as Seletti, Tommasi dresses up in new colors and materials, while maintaining the classicism of its products. 

It clearly could not do otherwise, the wines cannot be touched, they are now known all over the world and to take away real reference points for consumers would be crazy. However, one can introduce new languages in one's way of communicating and if one still gets bored, one can always invent new wines or better yet acquire new estates, as with the new acquisition in Sicily, on Etna to be exact, announced at Vinitaly 2022. Tommasi Family Estates thus continues to grow and embellish itself with estates from increasingly intriguing wine-growing areas. We will talk about Etna on another occasion, 2022 being the family's first official vintage. Let's dwell instead on the current celebrations.

1902-2022, that is how long is the history of this family originally from Valpolicella. And it is from Valpolicella that the label celebrating this important birthday comes. A story born with Giacomo Tommasi who proved to be a visionary farmer in buying that first piece of land. Since then the Tommasi family has grown in the true sense of the word. Trying to reconstruct the family tree is a real mnemonic effort, suffice it to say that we are in the fourth generation with still the third in the front row.

The strength of the family

It is no coincidence that the corporate archipelago, which in addition to wineries scattered throughout the country also includes tourist reception and catering facilities, is named Family Estates. The Tommasi family is many and they all work together with enviable synergy. Getting along is their trump card and has been their strength from day one. They love what they do and it shows, certain emotions cannot be faked. They are in love with the territories they have gradually conquered, and if they sometimes have to compromise, perhaps in the face of the wishes of an older family member, they do so with humility and respect. A truly surreal picture in some respects, it will happen one in a million but they get along well and I hope they realize the immense good fortune they have. Another strength is certainly everyone's specific skills and the clear division of roles, everyone over the years has found their own dimension. 

120 serving Valpolicella

That is where it all began and that is where the celebrations returned. The celebrations were itinerant, but could not miss a stop in Valpolicella. The charming Villa Quaranta and its Borgo Antico restaurant hosted the festivities. All the family present, and of course press, authorities and dear friends. It could only be an Amarone della Valpolicella Classico the bottle chosen to celebrate this important anniversary. The winery's first product, the "simplest" (as simple as an Amarone can be) but also the most popular. The winery's real calling card, the one bearing the historic label. A label that has been revisited for the occasion, giving rise to a collaboration that is anything but obvious.

Rock soul and pop colors

Tommasi collaborated with the Seletti company in creating the 120th anniversary celebratory bottle, resulting in 10,000 limited edition 2017 vintage; all numbered pieces with an unusual look. Collar and label echo the classic label but are made of white porcelain, here's Seletti's touch. Porcelain shaped to the curves of the bottle and applied one by one to each bottle, by hand of course. The pop colors of Tommasi's new communication were also borrowed from Seletti. Pop colors contrasting with the white of the porcelain, which outline a series of claims, in a mash-up of Italian and English. To the cry of The family extends beyond generations, Roots make tomorrow bright, Valpolicella is where our heart is or Time flows like Amarone, Tommasi reveals for the first time that it has a rock soul that breaks the mould, language barriers and boundaries, in every sense. 

A final and exciting moment of the evening was the intervention of painter Laura Calafiore, who specializes in fast painting, who in a few minutes and to the rhythm of music created a deconstructed mural that she then reassembled on the spot.

120 years of history and solid roots served to generate new blood. I sensed it and liked it. What shape does the future have? Perhaps that of a glass of wine, cheers! 

NB: The limited edition is available online, with special packaging, at €90.00 per bottle.
 

Related Products