Marcel Zanolari

Lombardy | Valtellina | Bianzone

Valtellina clings to the stony reaches of upper Lombardy, Italy’s northernmost wine-growing region. It’s a timeless place of imposing peaks, dense forests, and, as far as the eye can see, dry-wall terraces zigzagging across its slopes. Over the course of two millennia, the terraces have been built and rebuilt — a monument to the unbroken resolve of generations to grow wine in this place. Here, on 10 hectares of vines above Bianzone and scattered along the valley further east to Tirano, Marcel Zanolari has dedicated himself to biodynamic farming and making what he regards as “living wines.” They truly could come from nowhere and no one else.

Marcel Zanolari 2011 Nebbiolo Valtellina Superiore

These nebbiolo grapes, locally referred to as chiavennasca, are sourced from vines that have been in production since 2001, some of which are air dried on the vine. Spontaneous fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tank. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is transferred to second- and third-use barrique for 36 months of aging. Valtellina’s nebbiolos tend to be lean and sculpted, delicate and floral — paler, less tannic, higher in acidity, and altogether lighter on their feet than their more famous Langhe counterparts.

  • 2011
  • Nebbiolo
  • DOCG
  • Italy
  • Lombardy
  • Valtellina
  • Organic
  • Curvedru, Baruffini
  • South
  • Granitic rocks, sand
  • 5 months stainless, 2 years barrique (10% new)
  • Stainless steel
  • 2.2
  • 750 ml

822 Salisbury Turnpike - Milan, New York - 12571 | 845-266-0376 | https://schatziwines.com | info@schatziwines.com