The Vineyards
From a distance, they look as if they were carved out of the mountain. Up close, they tell the story of centuries of human labor.
The terraced vineyards of Valtellina are among the most iconic landscapes in the Alps. Over 2,500 kilometers of dry-stone walls support vineyards suspended between the sky and the rock, shaping a unique landscape where nature and culture coexist in perfect balance.
Along the Rhaetian slope, the mountain opens up to the sun and offers ideal conditions for growing Nebbiolo delle Alpi. This grape variety finds its most authentic and elegant expression in this extraordinary mosaic of rock, light, and altitude.
Valtellina is an Alpine valley that stands out in the Italian wine scene.
Located in the heart of the Central Alps, on the border with Switzerland, it stretches along a natural route that for centuries has served as a major crossroads for people, goods, and cultures between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. It is a region that, even today, retains the charm of the great trade routes and the authentic character of the mountains.
Here, viticulture is considered extreme not by choice, but out of necessity. Generation after generation, people have shaped the mountain’s contours by carrying soil on their shoulders and building terraces and stone walls capable of making otherwise inaccessible slopes suitable for cultivation. This monumental undertaking has transformed the Rhaetian slope into one of the largest terraced areas in Europe.
The Art of Drystone Walls
The art of dry-stone walling, inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018, is not merely a historical artifact: it continues to this day to be an essential element in preserving the landscape, protecting the environment, and creating the unique microclimate that allows the grapes to ripen. In 2020, the terraced vineyards on the Rhaetian side of Valtellina were also recognized as a Historic Rural Landscape, confirming the cultural and agricultural value of this unique territory.
It’s not just about winemaking. It’s a story of resilience, beauty, and vision that continues to unfold harvest after harvest. A tale of stone, sun, and Nebbiolo delle Alpi that, for centuries, has made Valtellina one of the most fascinating expressions of mountain wine.