[...] Valtellina Superiore comprises four sub-zones along the central
part of the Valtellina vineyard strip. From west to east they are
Sassella (west of Sondrio), Grumello, Inferno, and Valgella.
Sassella is the steepest, least fertile, and most dramatic. Vineyards
seem to rise almost vertically from the valley floor and, whereas
in the other sub-zones areas of cultivation form a continuous carpet
to the mountainsides, here it is spasmodic; a few vines here, a bit
of scrub there, depending on where the meagre soil can support a vine.
No one understands the trials and rewards of Sassella more than the
Pelizzatti Perego family. They have just 10 hectares (ha) of
vineyard, nevertheless positioning them among the largest owners.
More importantly, they are the only real azienda agricola, producing
wine solely from their own vineyards. Everyone else will buy at least
some of their requirements (and often the major part) from many of
the small growers and "weekenders" along the valley.
The finely honed Sassellas of Pelizzatti Perego, typified by
a graceful Riserva
from their Rocce Rosse vineyard, epitomize Valtellina wines.
