Balze Grigie: A Unique Wine from The Terraces of Pianazzola

At the foot of the terraced slopes of Pianazzola, above Chiavenna, a prestigious and unexpected grape variety has flourished in recent years: Pinot Noir. From these grapes comes an elegant and distinctive wine, the result of a bold choice and a careful pursuit of quality.

The project began in 2009 with the restoration of an abandoned historic terrace. What started as a small initiative gradually developed into an ambitious wine-growing project based on organic cultivation and the enhancement of grape varieties uncommon to the valley. The project was created by Giancarlo Geronimi together with his uncle Ernesto Dell’Ava and his friend Romeo Sozzi.

Behind every vineyard row lies careful research, experience and a clear vision: producing an authentic wine that respects the environment and remains deeply connected to the surrounding landscape. Today, this niche project extends across approximately one and a half hectares of terraced vineyards.

The name Balze Grigie refers to the grey granite that supports the historic vineyard terraces, restored to their original beauty through an extensive recovery project. This initiative has not only agricultural value but also cultural and landscape significance, bringing a valuable part of Pianazzola’s history back to life.

These vineyards tell an ancient story passed down through generations: the rows once cultivated by a grandmother and great-grandmother, the historic “middle vineyards,” and the restoration of the old tower in the San Giovanni area, whose origins date back to the 13th century.

Balze Grigie is the result of a dream that continues to grow year after year: producing a wine unique to this territory, capable of expressing tradition, innovation and the spirit of the mountains in every glass. A wine that tells not only the story of a place, but also its most authentic heritage.