Dislivelli (Valtellina)

Dislivelli is a small, artisanal winery located in the Valtellina region of Lombardy, Italy. It's known for its commitment to "heroic viticulture," a term used for winemaking on steep, difficult-to-farm mountain slopes.

History and Location

• Location: The winery is situated in the town of Sondrio, in the heart of the Valtellina valley. The vineyards are on very steep, terraced slopes in the prestigious Sassella subzone.

• Founding: Dislivelli was founded in 2020 by Gian Piero Ioli, an architect and vigneron. He inherited his passion for viticulture from his grandparents and his love for the mountains from his father's family, creating a project that marries these two passions.

• Estate: Gian Piero farms a single hectare of vines. The winemaking takes place in the historic Palazzo Guicciardi, a stately home in the center of Sondrio that once hosted Giuseppe Garibaldi.

Winemaking Philosophy

Gian Piero's philosophy is an extreme and natural approach, aiming to produce a pure expression of high-altitude Nebbiolo.

• Organic and Biodynamic Farming: The vineyards are farmed using biodynamic and no-till regenerative practices. The "heroic" nature of the viticulture means all vineyard work is done by hand on terraces with slopes of over 30%.

• Minimal Intervention: In the cellar, human intervention is reduced to a minimum.

  • Spontaneous Fermentation: Fermentation is done with indigenous yeasts.

  • Extended Maceration: The wines undergo a very long maceration on the skins, sometimes for as long as 121 days. This is a key part of the process that gives the wine its unique character.

  • No Wood Aging: The wines are aged entirely in Clayver, or ceramic amphorae. This decision is intentional, as it avoids the influence of wood and allows the Nebbiolo to express its pure, natural essence.

  • Minimal Sulfites: Little to no sulfur is added.

Notable Wines

Dislivelli focuses on a single wine that is a pure and unique expression of Valtellina Nebbiolo.

• Rosso di Valtellina: The winery is known for its Rosso di Valtellina IGT, made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes (known locally as Chiavennasca). This is a highly-praised and singular wine that is lighter in color than its more famous Piedmontese counterparts (Barolo and Barbaresco) but is equally complex and expressive. It's celebrated for its ethereal and pure character, with flavors of red fruit, licorice, and a distinct mineral quality that reflects the rocky terroir.