Fracia Riserva 2019 Barbacan

Valgella Fracia Riserva 2019 – Valtellina Superiore DOCG – Barbacan

Overview

The Valgella Fracia Riserva 2019 by Barbacan is one of the purest and most expressive interpretations of Valtellina. Produced from vineyards located between 500 and 560 meters above sea level, it blends Chiavennasca and Rossola, two native varieties that capture the essence of the mountain. Aged for 24 months in large oak barrels, unfiltered and unfined, this wine combines depth, elegance, and authenticity. It is a red born from the rock and wind of the Alps, a true portrait of high-altitude Nebbiolo, both intense and luminous.

History of the Wine

“Fracia” is the name of one of the most iconic vineyard sites cared for by Angelo, Luca, and Matteo Sega in San Giacomo di Teglio. The steep terraces, built from stone and sun, are home to vines that have learned to thrive in challenging, mineral-rich soils. The 2019 vintage, marked by steady ripening and cool nights, yielded grapes of exceptional aromatic depth and tension. The resulting wine is a reflection of time and patience—a tribute to the land and to the generations who have shaped it with their hands.

Philosophy in the Vineyard

In the Fracia cru, Barbacan’s philosophy of natural mountain viticulture reaches its highest form. The vineyards, perched on steep slopes and constantly exposed to Alpine breezes, demand manual work and total respect for nature’s rhythms. The Chiavennasca and Rossola vines coexist in perfect harmony, nourished by living soils and surrounded by spontaneous vegetation. Every stone wall, every gesture, every pruning cut expresses an unbroken bond with the territory. This patient, human-scale agriculture is what gives the wine its soul.

Winemaking Approach

The Valgella Fracia Riserva 2019 is vinified with spontaneous fermentations using native yeasts and extended maceration on the skins. The wine is then aged for 24 months in large oak casks, where it evolves slowly, gaining texture and aromatic complexity. No fining, no filtration—only the pure voice of the fruit and the terroir. The result is a Nebbiolo that blends power and finesse, minerality and warmth, offering a sensory journey through the landscape of Valtellina.

Tasting Notes

Color: deep garnet red, bright and transparent.
Nose: refined and layered, with aromas of red berries, mountain herbs, sweet spices, and mineral undertones.
Palate: tense, elegant, and persistent, with firm yet velvety tannins and a long, savory finish that recalls stone and Alpine air.

Food Pairings

“Fracia Riserva 2019” pairs beautifully with braised meats, game, venison, and aged mountain cheeses. It also complements rich risottos or mushroom-based dishes. A wine of reflection and identity, perfect for those who seek authentic depth and emotional expression in mountain reds.

Technical Sheet

• Appellation: Valtellina Superiore DOCG – Valgella Subzone

• Vintage: 2019

• Type: Red Riserva

• Grapes: Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) and Rossola

• Altitude: 500–560 m a.s.l.

• Fermentation: spontaneous with native yeasts

• Maceration: extended, on the skins

• Aging: 24 months in large oak barrels

• Unfiltered, unfined

• Alcohol Content: 13.5% 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.