THE VALPOLICELLA: YESTERDAY AND TODAY

The character and profile of the Valpolicella has changed over the times. In the past the more sought-after lands and lively villages were on the hilly slopes sheltered from the overflowing streams, whereas today the most populated, and most important, area is that at the bottom of the valley closer to Verona.

The first settlements were in fact formed generally on the gentle slopes of the valley. For this reason the village of Negrar grew in two directions corresponding to the hilly slopes. On the eastern side, the districts of Sargiago, Villa, Poiega and Tomenighe sprung up whilst on the western side Jago, Moron and Borgo (the land surrounding the parish church) developed.

The nearby town of Marano also experienced a similar growth - to the east of the valley the districts of Paverno, Gnirega and Castello; to the west, Casetta o Castei, Arzila (now Pozzo) and Fasanara.

The landowners were aware of how to maximise the value of the plots of land on the hillside (which include, remaining in the area between Negrar and Marano, the slopes of Valgatara with Campian and Figari). These plots were, and still are, appreciated for the excellent exposure to sun that permits perfect maturation of prestigious produce: grapes and olives for the production of wine and oil.

These landowners constructed new rural houses for the sharecroppers and their families on these lands, as well as the characteristic dry-stone walls, or "marogne" as they are known, which still mark the countryside today.