La Bandina
La Bandina is a small, family-run natural wine producer in the Valtellina region of Lombardy, Italy. It is a highly artisanal project dedicated to "heroic viticulture" and a minimalist approach in the cellar.
History and Location
Location: The winery is situated in the prestigious Sassella subzone of Valtellina, near the town of Castione Andevenno. The vineyards are on extremely steep, terraced slopes, characteristic of the "heroic viticulture" of the region. This terrain requires all vineyard work to be done by hand.
The Founders: La Bandina is a project created by a group of passionate friends, including Carlo Guzzi, who are dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the traditional winemaking of the Valtellina.
Winemaking Philosophy
La Bandina's philosophy is rooted in a deep respect for the difficult-to-farm Valtellina terroir and a hands-off approach to winemaking.
Organic Viticulture: The vineyards are farmed organically. The steep slopes and constant air circulation in the valley naturally protect the vines from disease, making chemical treatments unnecessary.
Indigenous Grapes: The focus is on the local clone of Nebbiolo, known as Chiavennasca, which is the sole grape used in their wines.
Minimal Intervention: In the cellar, their approach is to guide the wine with as little intervention as possible.
Spontaneous Fermentation: All wines are fermented using native yeasts.
Aging: The wines are aged in large, old barrels (botti) to allow the Nebbiolo to develop without the influence of new wood.
No Fining or Filtration: The wines are unfined and unfiltered, preserving their full character.
Minimal to No Sulfur: They use very low levels of sulfur, if any, to allow the wine to be a pure expression of the vintage.
Notable Wines
La Bandina is primarily known for a single wine that is an authentic and pure expression of Valtellina Nebbiolo.
Valtellina Superiore DOCG Sassella: Their flagship wine is a pure Chiavennasca from the Sassella cru. It is known for its elegant and ethereal character, with notes of red berries, rose, and a distinct mineral quality that reflects the rocky, high-altitude terroir.