Fay Sandro

Sandro Fay represents one of the most important and appreciated producers in the entire Valtellina by virtue of its elegant wines and authentic, eco-friendly production philosophy. The winery was founded in 1973 by Sandro, who collected and enhanced the family's small production. Since 1998 he has been joined by his children Marco and Elena, who form a close-knit family team committed to enhancing the characteristics of each individual vineyard, unique in terms of its soil and altitude attributes.

The 15 hectares of vineyards owned by the Sandro Fay estate rest on the characteristic terraces that outline the Rhaetian side of Valtellina, reserved for the area's symbolic variety: Nebbiolo, locally called Chiavennasca. In addition to Nebbiolo, the Fay raise a small proportion of the international grape varieties Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah. Because of the steep slopes, agronomic operations are carried out entirely by hand in an oenological context that constitutes one of the most striking cases of heroic viticulture. The altitudes range from 350 to a good 900 metres above sea level and almost all of the vineyards are located in the Valgella sub-zone, one of the five micro-areas included in the Valtellina Superiore controlled designation of origin, with the remainder located in the Sassella sub-zone. The soils, deriving from flaked granite formations, are predominantly sandy, with a lower percentage of silt and an absence of clay and limestone, while the climate is very sunny and typically alpine, cool and with significant temperature swings between day and night during the ripening period of the grapes. In the cellar, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, so as to preserve the extraordinary freshness and finesse of the wines, while the subsequent ageing periods take place mostly in large oak casks or tonneaux.

Sandro Fay's range of labels succeeds in reflecting the sublime refinement and gracefulness of Chiavennasca Valtellinese, a Nebbiolo with a mountain soul that the winery cares for and works with great skill, aiming to bring out its innumerable intrinsic qualities.