Alpine Nebbiolo!  This high-altitude expression of everyone's favorite northern Italian grape is produced from just one hectare of steeply terraced vineyards.  Essentially a single-vineyard 100% Nebbiolo Valtellina Rosso - this wine hails from the small town of Sassella, nestled high in the mountains of Sondrio near the Swiss border.  The mineral-rich slopes are higher in iron and acids than Piedmont appellations, resulting in more ethereal tannins and a terroir-driven Burgundian style Chiavennasca.  For the 2021 vintage, Dislivelli uses the 'Alpi Retiche' IGT denomination rather than the stricter 'Valtellina Rosso' DOC, despite the fact that this wine is 100% Nebbiolo from a single village.

The vineyards are biodynamic and tended entirely by hand.  Fermentation is allowed to happen spontaneously in large amphora, followed by an extended 121-day maceration. The wine then ages in smaller Clayver ceramic amphorae. No sulfur is added as this is a zero/zero wine. 

This wine can be enjoyed immediately thanks to the gentle tannins imparted by the steep mountain terroir (though decanting is recommended), but the balance of acid provides a strong backbone and longevity, allowing this Nebbiolo to age gracefully with the best of them. 

Pairing: Mushroom Risotto, Alpine cheeses such as Gruyere or Sbrinz

Grape: Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca in local dialect)

Soils: Very steep glacial slopes (up to 30% grade!) composed of granites, porphyries, quartzes, and ferrous minerals

Viticulture: Biodynamic