Tiếng ViệtDuring an event showcasing Valpolicella wines from the famous Italian wine region, I had the unique opportunity to taste numerous wines and meet winemakers from Italy. One memorable conversation was with Mrs Chiara, the owner of Terre di Leone, whose inspiring stories deeply resonated with me.
Terre di Leone is a relatively new player in the wine industry, established in 1996 by Chiara and her husband Federico. Federico was born and raised in Marano, one of the five ancient villages of Valpolicella Classico, while Chiara hails from Milan. She met and fell in love with Federico in Milan, and did not hesitate to leave her vibrant city life for the serene countryside to pursue winemaking. Inspired by Federico’s grandfather, Leone, they named their winery Terre di Leone, meaning “Land of Leone,” to honor his legacy.
Despite having no prior experience, Chiara and Federico were driven by a dream to create wine on the cherished land of Marano. Their journey began with learning the basics of winemaking from scratch. They spent nearly a decade seeking answers, seeking help, and even traveling to France to observe how wine families interacted with their vineyards. They returned home, applying the knowledge they had gained, experimenting to find their unique style. To Chiara, wine is akin to fashion—you must understand yourself and your preferences to choose a style you truly love.
“The land of Marano truly inspires us. We want people to know us as Valpolicella wine, but more than that, we want to delve deeper into the character of Marano,” Chiara shared. Hence, their wines reflect Valpolicella’s typical features but also carry the subtle, delightful innovations unique to Marano.
They listen and interact closely with their vineyards, respecting and preserving their distinct values. Quality is their utmost priority, producing limited quantities to ensure the highest standards. In years when the harvest does not meet their criteria, they choose not to produce wine at all. This commitment to excellence, despite being a young and family-run winery, has earned them the trust of domestic customers and gradually expanded their market to European and Asian countries. Their success, although modest compared to larger, more historic producers, is genuinely admirable.
When I asked Chiara about the biggest lessons and experiences from her winemaking career, she responded with inspiring words: “Our lives resemble a sinusoidal graph, with continuous ups and downs. Today, you might be at the bottom—facing failure, disappointment, frustration—but never give up, because tomorrow will be better. Like us, we have conducted thousands of experiments and faced many failures, but we continue courageously and remain steadfast in our chosen path. The second lesson is to keep learning. Never think that your journey has reached its destination. There is always much more to learn and grow, and this lifelong learning process is something we have never stopped.”
Authenticity is the word that best describes Chiara. She is an incredibly humble and reserved person, yet through her eyes and voice, I could sense her immense passion for what she does. She feels somewhat shy about sharing her story, believing it to be less significant compared to the illustrious histories of other Valpolicella wineries. For nearly 30 years, they have focused on producing quality wines, valuing this above all else.
Reflecting this humility, their winery’s name is modestly printed on their labels, and some bottles don’t even bear the name. This is not due to a lack of pride, but because they prioritize the land and the quality of their wines over personal recognition. Even Chiara’s business card bears only her name, with no title or embellishments.
Before parting, I shared with Chiara that her story, though simple, is filled with profound sincerity and inspiration. Not everyone understands that behind every bottle of Terre di Leone wine lies a tale of passion, courage, and relentless effort. I felt a lump in my throat hearing Chiara recount their journey. I realized that, although Terre di Leone’s progress may be slow, every step is meaningful and valuable.
