Alberto Marsetti

Lombardia

Sondrio

Viticulture in the cool mountainous region of Valtellina, in the far north of Lombardy, near the Swiss border, has long been referred to as heroic, perhaps a grand soubriquet for grape growing, but the terraces of Sondrio rival even the towering vineyards of the Mosel as symbols of ambition and necessity. As with the Mosel, these terraces have purpose, providing critical exposure to the sun and affording grapes the ability to ripen fully. This is Nebbiolo territory, or Chiavennasca as it is locally known, and it is second only to Piedmont in its expression.

Alberto is the sixth generation Marsetti to tend vines in one of Italy’s most challenging regions, inheriting the estate from his grandfather in 1987. Most of the Marsetti plantings are Nebbiolo, supplemented by small amounts of the local varieties, Pignola, Rossola and Brugnola. Nebbiolo in Valtellina tends to the fragrant, with pure red fruit and pristine floral notes. Alberto is sympathetic to this with the predominant use of large format oak, and judicious use of new oak, when the fruit permits.