Ar.Pe.Pe.
Ar.Pe.Pe’s revered vines sit within terraced, stone-walled vineyards across Valtellina Superiore DOCG. A small winemaking region in Lombardia, so far off the beaten path that it receives a fraction of the attention it deserves. Cheaper, yes. Less worthy of adoration? Absolutely not.
These are wines built for the long haul. Fresh, mineral and rich. Lithe, linear and finessed. The mere mention of these sacred six letters elicits an audible ooft from wine drinkers, doers and makers alike.
Fifth generation winemakers and growers Isabella, Emanuele and Guido Pelizzatti Perego continue with the same fervour, innovation, and ambition as their father and ancestors before them. Ambitious and armed with the steadfast knowledge passed down from his father, Arturo Pelizzatti Perego launched Ar.Pe.Pe in 1984, making wines that honour the region’s unique terroir and winemaking history.
While many vignerons in the region tend to small patches of vines, Ar.Pe.Pe stands out as the most established independent producer. The Peregos possess an innate understanding of Nebbiolo; their practised hands know exactly how to tend to the vines and coax out soft tannins and elegant red-fruited flavours from this revered, thick skinned grape.
THE REGION
You’d be mistaken if you think Piedmont is the only region producing top bottles of Neb. Valtellina’s terraced vineyards carry the heritage of mountain folk who have tended to them for centuries. Along the Swiss-Italian border, ancient staircases wind through terraced, stone-walled vineyards, clinging to the steep slopes carved out by glaciers millennia ago.
Vines enjoy ample sunlight during the day and are cooled by plummeting temperatures at night. Exceedingly difficult to work, time consuming and back breaking, Valtellina’s vineyards require 1,000 to 1,200 hours of labour per hectare, compared to an average of 250 hours labour across Italy.
While many vignerons in the region tend to small patches of vines, Ar.Pe.Pe stands out as the most established independent producer. The Peregos possess an innate understanding of Nebbiolo; their practised hands know exactly how to tend to the vines and coax out soft tannins and elegant red-fruited flavours from this revered, thick skinned grape.
THE REGION
You’d be mistaken if you think Piedmont is the only region producing top bottles of Neb. Valtellina’s terraced vineyards carry the heritage of mountain folk who have tended to them for centuries. Along the Swiss-Italian border, ancient staircases wind through terraced, stone-walled vineyards, clinging to the steep slopes carved out by glaciers millennia ago.
Vines enjoy ample sunlight during the day and are cooled by plummeting temperatures at night. Exceedingly difficult to work, time consuming and back breaking, Valtellina’s vineyards require 1,000 to 1,200 hours of labour per hectare, compared to an average of 250 hours labour across Italy.
Yet from the most gruelling of vineyards come the most elegant of wines. Known locally as Chiavennasca, these Nebbiolos are intensely aromatic, striking a delicate balance between the boldness of Barolo and the finesse of red Burgundy. Light on their feet and endowed with remarkable longevity, they hum with sophistication.
THE WINEMAKING
Ageing these wines demands patience beyond measure. Guided by the philosophy of "as long as it takes," Ar.Pe.Pe follows the rhythm of the wine's evolution, allowing it to dictate the pace. They wait patiently, bottling wines at the pinnacle moment, adhering to ancient traditions and lunar phases. Once bottled, the wines continue to age until silky soft tannins slip soundly with melded fruits and a complexity that speaks volumes.
From top to bottom, Ar.Pe.Pe's wines demand serious attention. Setting the benchmark for complex Nebbiolo. Wines to be enjoyed now, but will only develop in character as the years roll by.
THE WINEMAKING
Ageing these wines demands patience beyond measure. Guided by the philosophy of "as long as it takes," Ar.Pe.Pe follows the rhythm of the wine's evolution, allowing it to dictate the pace. They wait patiently, bottling wines at the pinnacle moment, adhering to ancient traditions and lunar phases. Once bottled, the wines continue to age until silky soft tannins slip soundly with melded fruits and a complexity that speaks volumes.
From top to bottom, Ar.Pe.Pe's wines demand serious attention. Setting the benchmark for complex Nebbiolo. Wines to be enjoyed now, but will only develop in character as the years roll by.
These Nebbiolos are intensely aromatic, striking a delicate balance between the boldness of Barolo and the finesse of red Burgundy. Light on their feet and endowed with remarkable longevity, they hum with sophistication.