Why Barbora Loves It

The Rosso di Valtellina produced by Arpepe is a delightful representation of the Nebbiolo grape (locally known in the Lombardy region as Chiavennasca). In contrast to its renowned Nebbiolo counterparts, Barolo and Barbaresco, and their full-bodied and structured profiles, Rosso di Valtellina offers a lighter and more approachable style representative of Nebbiolo from the Alps.

Characteristic of Rosso di Valtellina is its refreshing and youthful nature. It is crafted to be enjoyed in its early years, allowing wine enthusiasts to savour the wine's vibrant fruit flavours, well-balanced structure, and supple tannins without the need for extensive ageing. 

The Perego family has been growing grapes on the granite terraces of Valtellina since 1860. They work only with Nebbiolo, growing the grapes up to 700 metres above sea level on sheer, south-facing, sunlit vines that dig straight into rock. 

The vines are so far north in the alps they are practically in Switzerland, giving the resulting fruit an intense minerality. The steep terrain also means every aspect of work in the vineyards must be done by hand, requiring up to 1,500 hours of work to harvest a single hectare of vines. This challenging environment ensures extreme attention to detail. 

Isabella, the winemaker, embraces a very traditional approach to her winemaking, valuing patience and time. By opting for extended maturation in old large wooden casks, Isabella allows the wines to undergo a gradual transformation. And by using a number of different types of wood, the casks are allowed to impart a range of unique flavours that complement the natural aromas of the Nebbiolo. Isabella does not like to adhere to vintage schedules to release her wines but rather releases the wines when they are truly ready.