Retica

An independent boutique winery overlooking Lake Como from high — where excellence and Italian know-how are the foundations, with Valtellina Nebbiolo as the absolute star. Locally known also as Chiavennasca, this grape variety has great potential: raw material to be cultivated, to be worked with the wisdom of hands and the flair of an artist, until the wine becomes a work of art. Likewise, the labels at Retica are artworks, displayed here full frontal for enjoyment.

The estate works on estate vineyards on the outskirts of Sondrio, in the areas of Grumello and Inferno — two of Valtellina's five historic subzones, each with a distinct geological and climatic identity. Constant attention is given to vines that easily exceed half a century of age. The estate grows the vines, vinifies the grapes, and bottles the wine, personally taking care of every detail including sales — convinced that the direct relationship with customers adds value that cannot be manufactured by intermediaries.

Retica's philosophy is to embrace a romantic way of winemaking, far away from market trends. They are heroic winemakers — perhaps among the few remaining — convinced that the Valtellina Nebbiolo deserves the relentless pursuit of perfection. In the Retica Alps, where the inclinations reach 40% and are lashed by the constant wind of the Óra from Lake Garda, viticulture is still manual, passion overcomes hard work, and there is no room nor desire for technology.

PANAU is the estate's legendary wine — a mythological name from Valtellina's ancient stories. It is said that at dusk, as the heroic winemakers return from the vineyards, the panau — a mythological animal — can occasionally be glimpsed in the sky, twirling around the last sunbeams in a thanksgiving ballet for the hard work of the people in the vineyards. Just Nebbiolo grapes for this precious wine of the highest quality and structure.

ROE takes birth in an environment where viticulture is still manual and old-fashioned winemaking is loved. Ruby red with fresh aroma and intense floral notes. Valtellina winemakers, with unstoppable will, have been able to adapt to the steepness of the alpine landscape, building the longest terraces in the world — vineyards supported by dry stone walls where Nebbiolo gives this warm and fruity wine. Six months in French oak. A sincere expression of a wonderful territory.

BALOSS is aged twelve months in Slavonian oak — ruby red, great intensity and breadth on the nose, floral nuances and good body supported by lively and subtle acidity. Between September and October, while deer are singing their love chant in the woods, the estate devotes itself to the grape harvest — selecting only the best bunches of Nebbiolo, strictly by hand.

BRAMITO is the estate's champion wine — the absolute peak of the Retica range. In making Bramito, the winemakers feel like an artist in front of a block of marble: they know that within it lies a work of art to be discovered. Created with one end goal — to be among the best in the world. Ruby red with great intensity and breadth on the nose; floral nuances and good body supported by lively and subtle acidity; twelve months in French oak. Available through UniqueWines in the most limited quantities.