Travelling

The "Maestranza dei Vigneri" ("Winegrowers Guild") was established in Catania in 1435. This important association of vine cultivators working in the Etna region was the stepping stone for professionalism in wine growing and production.
Nowadays wine growing in the northern slope of Etna, in Catania’s Province, is primordial and characterized by an ancient cultivation which respects the natural balance of this land.
The volcanic soil, made of stones formed by lava break up always changes becoming sometimes deep and fertile other times not deep at all with emerging volcanic stones. The vines are surrounded by oaks, chestnuts and brooms. The typical alberello wine training does not allow wine growers to work with machines but only with non invasive instruments such as motor hoes or with mule. Temperatures are severe in winter but hot in summer with great difference in temperature between night and day (even 30°C).
In this region there is a constant fight for survival between vines and the environment. Rain can occur unexpected and at any time and even if abundant the volcanic soil does not keep the water.  During the summer drought makes the sandy soil dry and arid.
Vines suffer from these differences in the soil and this extreme climate situation. These problems stimulate the vine to struggle for survival producing few but very rich grapes. Never too sweet nor too concentrate, with good acidity and great balance.
The ancient wine growing, respectful of the environment’s natural balance, together with the patience of waiting for the right moment to start any working step make the wine the true expression of this particular and unique land.

- Extract from www. salvofoti.it -

Wine Growing in Valtellina

Wine growing has always played a key role in Sondrio’s province agriculture. Many ancient documents witness the old tradition of wine growing in this area. For centuries wine growing has been the main source of wealth of local people. In fact wine was an important element of their poor diet and it was also used as exchange goods. Vine growing and wine producing tradition has deeply influenced Valtellina’s culture and environment. It has changed the rural landscape in a harmonious and fascinating way. These changes are still evident despite the reduction of the cultivated area occurred in the last century. Tourists visiting Valtellina for the first time are fascinated by one of the biggest terraced wine growing of the world. On the Raethian side slope they can admire terraced vineyards held up by dry stone walls (2.500 Km) connected by dizzy steps.
Valtellina’s wines were famous since ancient times even if the names of Latin authors which declared the quality of Raethic grapes haven’t been discovered yet. In the 16th century under the rules of Switzerland, Valtellina’s wines started to play an important economic role thanks to the increasing trade with central and northen Europe. The wine growing in Sondrio’s Province came trough the 19th century crisis thanks to the obstinacy of local wine growers in keep working the soil with their hands (on the terraces it is not possible to use machines at all). This way of working is very expensive and reduces drastically the profit margin.
On the often very narrow terraces, the main cultivated grape is Nebbiolo (locally called Chiavennasca).
It gives severe, fine wines with great ageing capacity, thanks to the mountain environment where the vines are grown. The number of awards received is the result of a constant modernization and technical updating programme carried out by the producers.
In order to promote a unique environment the Consorzio Tutela Vini di Valtellina decided to institute the Fondazione Provinea – Vita alla vite di Valtellina (Provinea Foundation – Life to Valtellina’s vine).
This non –profit association’s aim is to insert Valtellina’s winegrowing ecosystem in the list of Unesco World Heritage sites.
In this area there are about 1000 hectares of vineyards and 800 of them are under the appellation (DOC) Valtellina. Wineries are more than 1500 according to the Sondrio Chamber of Commerce. You can imagine how small the estates should be and how many people work in the wine production in this area. Wine represents nearly the 15% of the agricultural production of Sondrio’s Province.

www.consorziovinivaltellina.com
Casimiro Maule, direttore Casa Vinicola Nino Negri, Chiuro (SO)