Camonica Valley Wine Consortium

Protecting viticulture in Camonica Valley and promoting local IGT wines. These are the two objectives of Consorzio Vini di Valle Camonica, a not-for-profit association founded in 2004, which focuses on preserving Camonica Valley viticulture and authentic values such as land, biodiversity, uniqueness, and the work of men and women who made these mountain vineyards an extraordinary symbol of these values.

The vineyards are more and more a protagonist of Camonica mountains 

The work of Camonica Valley Wine Consortium has already produced concrete results: if you periodically pass by Camonica Valley, you will notice that the extirpation of vines has completely stopped and new vineyards have been planted over these past years.

There are three macro areas where the consortium is active:

• From Sellero to Breno: it includes the municipalities in the Concarena alluvial fans (Capo di Ponte, Ono San Pietro, Cerveno, Losine) and the vineyards of Ceto, Niardo and Braone (total of  59,41 hectares);
• Grigna Valley area with the vineyards of Bienno, Berzo Inferiore, Esine, Cividate Camuno, and Malegno (total of 56,00 hectares);
• The traditional terraced vineyards of Piancogno and Darfo Boario Terme (Gorzone, Erbanno, Angone), Angolo Terme, Gianico, and Artogne (total of 26,80 hectares).

Camonica Valley IGT wines: types and production methods

White (including raisin wine), Red, Marzemino, and Merlot. These are the Camonica Valley wines that received the IGT Valle Camonica denomination (Indicazione Geografica Tipica – Geographic Area Typical product) and are made according to a specific production method aimed at protecting these wines, which are more and more appreciated and in demand even outside the province.

In terms of cultivation, there is great attention to environmental conditions – which must comply the area’s typical conditions – and the positioning of the vines. Eligible vineyards are in areas at the foot of a hill or a mountain with good sun exposure, at an altitude not exceeding 800 m above sea level. In addition, the new or replanted grafts need to be composed of  at least 4,000 stomps per hectare.

Food pairings and experiences

Wines to be paired with Camonica Valley food specialties. From Caicc de Bré to Gnoc de la Cua, from Cuz – the oldest dish in Lombardy – to Castrato di Breno sausage, IGT Valle Camonica wines enrich local dishes with their simple and delicate notes containing the passion and love that local producers have for their land.

For those who are interested in production methods and bottling processes in addition to wine tasting, we recommend the experience “Bold wines on the slopes of Camonica Valley” offered by Cantina Bignotti winery in Piamborno.

Wine and olive oil itineraries in Camonica Valley

There are two itineraries and education programmes available to help us learn about Camonica Valley wine culture.

“Among Vines and Wines”

A tour of vineyards and wineries in Concarena alluvional fan combined with 5 informative displays illustrating the history of viticulture in Camonica Valley. Departing from the Infopoint in Capo di Ponte and arriving in the heart of Breno, this itinerary suggests places to visit with short detours to the main points of interest in the area, including  Naquane Rock Engraving Park (Unesco World Heritage site), the parish church of San Siro and the monastery of San Salvatore, Via Crucis Shrine in Cerveno, and Minerva Shrine in Breno.

Travel time: 15 minutes by car, 1 hour and 20 minutes by bike, 2 hours and a half on foot.

“Among Vines and Olive Trees”

Tourist itinerary among vineyards and olive trees in the municipalities of Piamborno and Darfo Boario Terme, with marvellous views of Lake Moro and Lake Iseo. Highly recommended stops are Annunciata Shrine and Luine Rock Engraving Municipal Park, a Unesco World Heritage site.

Travel time: 1 hour by bike, 1 hour and a half on foot toward Annunciata; 3 hours by bike, 4 hours and a half on foot toward Lake Moro.

Camonica Valley Wine Consortium: contacts and information

Consorzio vini di Valcamonica
Caldera, via San Maurizio, Losine (Brescia)
+39 3388 262085 President: Tino Tedeschi
+39 348 1425521 Director: Sergio Bonomelli
e-mail: info@consorziovinivallecamonica.it

For details on the itineraries, the winery list, news, and information visit the official website of Consorzio Vini di Valle Camonica.