Angelo Ugolini is firmly part of the company’s staff since 2018.
He represents the next generation of Tenute Ugolini. He is the person in charge of the land. His relationship with the land and the vineyard is passionate, visceral in some ways, and this grants a pure, unconditioned, insatiable approach to nature.
When did you start working at full regime in the business?
«At full regime since august 2018; I started with the hospitality to then move to the winery. There, I spent one year and a half learning the wine-making techniques and how to work in the logistics area.
Instead I started working in the lands since January 2020».
What is Valpolicella for you?
«First of all, Valpolicella is my home! Here I have my friends, my parents and relatives; it is the place where I was born and raised. It is a beautiful area to live in; I love the views and the stunning colors during all four seasons. If you live in its most intimate and unknown parts, it can still show glimpses of the ancient rural culture from Veneto which can allow you to understand what life was like decades ago: there are valleys where nature is still very crowded with animals, wild woods and flourishing waterfalls.».
Can you tell us about your typical day?
«I don’t have a typical day, this is the beauty of my job! Yes, I have certain jobs that I have to carry out in certain periods of the year but, for as much as I can organize myself, there are always unexpected events, jobs or projects to fulfill. Usually, I create guidelines which define my priorities and work timing. Work in the countryside is defined by the seasonal trend and other human factors».
Which is the activity in the vineyard that you feel more passionate for?
«Mostly winter activities, pruning in particular.
Winter relaxes me, nature is sleeping, there is no rush, there is all the time to prune the vineyards and tie the heads which will produce the fruits in the following summer. Pruning is a temporary action which includes cuts that serve to remove the past».
According to Angelo Ugolini, what makes Valpolicella so unique is undoubtedly the withering of the grapes. The fundamental passage which justifies the value and the complexity of the deriving wines.
Tell us about you…
«My favorite hobby is going on excursions around the infinite valleys of Valpolicella. Exploring the woods in their highest parts and overpass the pleasant hills; I love history books, my true passion, along with geography and political science. Among my favorites there are ‘Dietro le quinte della storia’ by Pietro Angela and Alessandro Barbero and ‘Le verità nascoste’ by Paolo Mieli. My favorite movie is ‘Apocalypse Now‘ by Francis Ford Coppola. I ran away from mainstream music, I rather explore the underground independent kind. I love ethnic cuisine. I loathe cooked vegetables!»
If you could choose, what place outside Valpolicella would you like to live in?
«I don’t believe there is another world outside Valpolicella!»
