Nino Negri is a well-known Italian wine producer based in Valtellina, Lombardy, in northern Italy. The estate has a long and storied history, dating back to 1897, when it was founded by Carlo Negri. The winery is named after his son, Nino Negri, who was instrumental in the expansion and development of the estate.
History of Nino Negri
In 1897, Carlo Negri, the founder of Nino Negri, founded the winery. At the time, the Valtellina region was already known for its wine-growing traditions, but Carlo Negri saw the potential for creating high-quality wines from the indigenous Nebbiolo (locally known as Chiavennasca). The winery is named after Carlo Negri's son, Nino Negri, who later took over the family business. Under Nino's leadership, the winery continued to focus on producing wines from Nebbiolo, which thrives on the steep slopes and terraced vineyards of the Valtellina. After World War II, Nino Negri played a crucial role in reviving the Valtellina wine industry, which had suffered during the war. The winery has helped preserve traditional winemaking techniques and promote the region's unique terroir.
In the second half of the 20th century, Nino Negri continued to build his reputation as a leading producer of Nebbiolo-based wines. The commitment to quality and the expression of the terroir became the hallmark of the winery. In recent years, Nino Negri has embraced modern winemaking techniques while maintaining a deep respect for tradition. The winery has also focused on sustainable practices in the vineyards to ensure the health of the ecosystem and the longevity of the vines.
Over the years there have been changes in ownership and the estate is currently part of the Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV), one of the largest wine companies in Italy. Despite ownership changes, the winemaking philosophy and commitment to quality have remained consistent. Today, Nino Negri is celebrated not only for his historical significance in the Valtellina region, but also for his role in producing some of the best Nebbiolos in Italy.
Production by Nino Negri
Nino Negri is known for his dedication to producing high quality wines, with a primary focus on Nebbiolo-based wines. Nebbiolo is the grape variety that forms the basis for their most important wines, including Valtellina Superiore and Sfursat.
Valtellina Superiore: This is a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wine, a designation that represents the highest level of quality for Italian wines. The Valtellina Superiore wines are made from Nebbiolo grapes grown on the best vineyards in the Valtellina region.
Sfursat: One of the most distinctive wines produced by Nino Negri is Sfursat, which is essentially a Valtellina Superiore made using a special technique. The grapes are dried before fermentation, a process known as appassimento, which concentrates the flavors and aromas in the resulting wine.
In addition to wines based on Nebbiolo, Nino Negri also produces other grape varieties such as Rosso di Valtellina (a red wine made from Nebbiolo) and Ca' Brione (a mixture of white wine).
