The Vallesina is the wine-growing heart of the Esino Valley, a hilly landscape stretching between Jesi, the medieval castles and the lower slopes of the Apennines, opening naturally out towards the Adriatic Sea. The terrain alternates between ridges, slopes and river terraces, creating varied conditions for sun exposure, ventilation and the ripening of the grapes. Sea breezes meet the cooler air currents from the Apennines, promoting temperature variations that help preserve freshness and define the aromas.
The soils are varied and complex: marl-clay and limestone substrates predominate, with the presence of sandstone, calcarenite and alluvial deposits in the areas close to the course of the Esino. This geological complexity helps to produce wines that express balance, savouriness and a distinctive mineral character, with noticeable differences between the more inland areas – often characterised by higher altitudes – and the slopes facing the coast.
The region’s grape variety heritage finds its historical and territorial reference point in Verdicchio, alongside red grape varieties such as Sangiovese and Montepulciano and, in the areas closest to Morro d’Alba, the traditional Lacrima. Production includes still white wines, superior and reserve versions, as well as sparkling and passito wines in accordance with local tradition and the production regulations. In the winery, winemaking practices frequently focus on preserving the varietal character, with fermentation in stainless steel, ageing on the lees and, for the more structured selections, longer ageing periods.
The winemaking history of the Vallesina region is rooted in an ancient viticultural tradition, consolidated over the centuries by the work of rural communities and the presence of the castles dotting the hills. Even today, the landscape, agricultural practices and wine culture form a coherent whole, where local identity and contemporary sensibilities coexist.