Terrazzi Alti

The Valtellina valley is one of the most interesting alpine areas from an enological point of view. Its red wines represent one of the best examples of high quality mountain viticulture and are rooted in ancient traditions. The Terrazzi Alti winery is a small estate that was created from the desire of a tenacious winemaker, who produces very interesting artisanal wines. Siro Buzzetti cultivates his vines in the Sassella area, which is one of the most popular sub-zones of the Valtellina for the elegance and aromatic intensity of its wines. It is a rather young company, which was established in 2005 with a small vineyard to which, over the years, other plots were added until they reached about one hectare. These plots are scattered over the steep slopes of the mountain and require laborious daily work, which is entirely done by hand. This is true heroic viticulture, which has preserved an ancient character and a direct relationship with the land.

Viticulture has developed in Valtellina since ancient times, thanks to the particular conformation of the land. It is one of the few valleys in the Alpine range that does not have the classic north-south layout, but rather a west-east direction. This particular feature allows for a perfectly south-facing side of the valley, with a warm and sunny climate, where there are large temperature differences between day and night. The Alpine peaks also protect the vines from storms coming from the north, creating a microclimate particularly suited to vine cultivation. The most widely cultivated vine, and the true symbol of the Valtellina area, is the Chiavennasca grape, which is a local clone of the Nebbiolo variety.

The vineyards of Terrazzi Alti have been created from centuries of work on the mountainside, which has been shaped by the construction of small terraces that are supported by dry stone walls. These are small pieces of land that are rich in stones, which forces the vines to descend with their roots among the rocks in search of nourishment. In this difficult environmental setting, Nebbiolo expresses itself with low natural yields and excellent quality bunches, with grapes that have rich and concentrated aromas. The wines of the Sassella area have always been famous for their interpretation of the Nebbiolo, with a typically alpine character. They have a lighter structure, a lean body, delicate aromas and a vibrant mineral freshness. The Terrazzi Alti winery offers a range of only a few wines, which perfectly reflect the sincerity and authenticity of this territory.