The Valtellina Superiore DOCG designation is undoubtedly the most important in Valtellina and has historically been divided into four production zones: Sassella, Grumello, Inferno and Valgella.
These four zones were officially recognised in 1998, whilst four years later – in 2002 – the Maroggia sub-zone was also recognised as part of the same appellation.
The Nera family owns vineyards in three of the four "historic" zones: Sassella, Inferno and Valgella, whilst the grapes for the production of Grumello come from local growers.
Sassella
It mainly extends between the municipalities of Castione Andevenno and the western outskirts of Sondrio, the provincial capital. It is one of the most famous historic sub-regions, situated on terraces at altitudes ranging from 270 to 600 metres, characterised by rocky soils rich in granite and iron, which lend the wines elegance, minerality and longevity.
Grumello
We are still on the Rhaetian side of the Alps, north of Sondrio, with vineyards located both in the main town of Valtellina and in the municipality of Montagna in Valtellina, centred around Castel Grumello. The vineyards, also terraced and steep here, extend from 350 to 650 metres above sea level, producing wines with spicy, fresh and savoury aromas.
Inferno
The area lies between the municipalities of Poggiridenti and Tresivio, and is known for being the narrowest, characterised by extremely steep terraces (reaching 75%) and very high summer temperatures (hence its distinctive, fanciful name). The wines produced here are distinguished by their ruby red colour tending towards garnet and by aromas of spices, ripe fruit (plums, cherries) and mineral notes.
Paradiso
This micro-zone (covering less than 1.5 hectares of vineyards, currently tended by two of the winery’s long-standing growers), from which the eponymous wine—produced exclusively by the Nera winery—is made, takes its name from a local place name and from the fact that it has gentler slopes, which therefore require less effort to manage the vineyards. It is a micro-zone sheltered from the cold east winds, with the vineyard facing west, and deep soils that produce a wine of good structure, although less distinctive than the wines from the heart of Inferno. The vineyard’s altitude ranges from 400 to 450 metres above sea level and, thanks to the characteristics mentioned above, the "Paradiso" vineyard is almost always protected from late spring frosts.
Valgella
This is the largest area in terms of the number of hectares under vine, and includes the municipalities of Chiuro and Teglio. It is characterised by terraced, south-facing vineyards and offers a climate that is both sunny and cooler than in other areas, as it is situated further east, not far from the Swiss border, where temperatures are generally lower. It is here that elegant, intense and long-lived Nebbiolo wines are produced.
