Curnal 2023 Barbacan

Curnal 2023 – Alpi Retiche IGT – Barbacàn

Overview

The Curnal 2023 by Barbacàn is a natural red wine that expresses the alpine identity of Valtellina. Made mainly from Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) grapes, it is vinified entirely in terracotta amphorae with spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeasts. Fresh, light, and easy to drink, Curnal captures the character of its mountainous terroir with elegance, offering a harmonious and approachable tasting experience.

History of the Wine

The Curnal project was born from Barbacàn’s commitment to preserving native grape varieties and the culture of heroic vineyards in Valtellina. Each vintage results from meticulous vineyard care and traditional alpine practices, including manual harvesting and sustainable soil management. The 2023 vintage continues the winery’s philosophy: crafting authentic wines that tell the story of the mountains, their temperature variations, and the mineral-rich granitic soils.

Vineyard Philosophy

The Chiavennasca vines grow at altitudes of 500–600 meters on sandy, granitic soils, benefiting from strong diurnal temperature shifts that enhance aromatic development. Barbacàn applies natural vineyard practices without chemical interventions, letting the land and climate guide the growth and ripening of the grapes. The aim is to produce healthy, vibrant grapes full of personality.

Winemaking Approach

The Curnal 2023 is vinified in terracotta amphorae, with spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeasts. This method preserves the wine’s freshness, lightness, and vivacity, creating an approachable, harmonious, and characteristic expression. No filtration or fining is applied, ensuring the grape and terroir are faithfully represented in the glass.

Tasting Notes

Color: bright, clear ruby red.
Nose: fresh and fruity, with aromas of red berries, strawberry, raspberry, and delicate alpine floral notes.
Palate: light, harmonious, and easy to drink, with soft tannins and a mineral finish reminiscent of the granitic soils. A wine that invites repeated sips and convivial enjoyment.

Food Pairings

Perfect with flavorful pasta, white meats, vegetarian dishes, and fresh cheeses. Its freshness and lightness also make it suitable as an aperitif or for casual meals. Serve at 16–18°C.

Technical Sheet

• Appellation: Alpi Retiche IGT

• Producer: Barbacàn

• Vintage: 2023

• Grapes: 100% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo)

• Altitude: 500–600 m a.s.l.

• Soil: sandy, granitic

• Fermentation: spontaneous in amphora with indigenous yeasts

• Aging: in amphora

• Alcohol: 13% vol

• Serving Temperature: 16–18°C

• Contains sulfites

Barbacan

History

In the heart of Valtellina, among the steep slopes of San Giacomo di Teglio, lies Barbacan, a small family-run winery that embodies the deep connection between people, land, and tradition. Founded by Angelo Sega and now carried forward by his sons Luca and Matteo, the estate reflects the Alpine spirit, where every gesture follows the rhythm of nature. Across six hectares of terraced vineyards, Barbacan cultivates Chiavennasca—the local expression of Nebbiolo—alongside ancient native varieties that preserve the region’s agricultural heritage. Each harvest is an act of memory, a dialogue between past and present.

Vineyard Philosophy

Barbacan believes in natural viticulture, where human knowledge serves the land rather than controls it. The team works through observation, guided by nature’s own signals—the melting snow, the ripening hay in the valley, the water springing from the rock. Their goal is to protect the vitality of the soil and the genetic diversity of traditional vines, keeping alive the cultural identity of the Alps. Manual care and ancestral gestures replace all industrial interventions, allowing the vineyard to express itself freely.

Winemaking Approach

In the cellar, Barbacan transforms the purity of the grapes into wine without artifice or manipulation. Healthy, living grapes undergo spontaneous fermentations with native yeasts, preserving the integrity of each variety and vintage. There are no unnecessary additives or aggressive filtrations—only the essence of fruit and place. Each year is expressed in its uniqueness, celebrating the true character of every vintage and the micro-terroirs of Teglio. Human touch acts as a subtle interpreter, never as a controller.

The Identity of an Alpine People

Barbacan is more than a winery—it is a declaration of love for the mountains and for the ancient viticultural culture of Valtellina. Every bottle tells a story of harmony between man and nature, shaped by hard work and devotion. These wines embody the authenticity of the Alps, the echo of wind through the terraces, the bright light that defines every grape. In their Chiavennasca, Barbacan captures the most sincere and human voice of this Alpine land.