Camonica Valley Wine Consortium

Protecting winegrowing in the Camonica Valley and promoting local IGT wines is the dual objective of the Consorzio Vini di Valle Camonica, a non-profit association founded in 2004 and committed to preserving the Camonica winegrowing tradition and authentic rural values of biodiversity, originality, and human effort, of which these mountain vineyards are such an outstanding reflection.

Vineyards that are an increasingly important element of the Camonica mountains

The work of the Camonica Valley Wine Consortium has already seen concrete results: people passing through the valley every now and then will have noticed that the extirpation of vines has completely stopped and new vineyards have been planted in recent years.

There are three macro areas covered by the consortium:

• From Sellero to Breno: this includes the municipalities in the Concarena alluvial fans (Capo di Ponte, Ono San Pietro, Cerveno, Losine) and the vineyards of Ceto, Niardo and Braone (total of  59.41 hectares);
• Val Grigna with the vineyards of Bienno, Berzo Inferiore, Esine, Cividate Camuno, and Malegno (total of 56 hectares);
• The traditional terraced vineyards of Piancogno and Darfo Boario Terme (Gorzone, Erbanno, Angone), Angolo Terme, Gianico, and Artogne (total of 26.8 hectares).

Camonica Valley IGT wines: types and specifications

The Camonica Valley wines that are given the official regional label ‘IGT‘ (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) include white (including passito), red, Marzemino, and Merlot. They are produced according to specifications aimed at protecting a product that is increasingly popular and valued even outside the province.

In terms of cultivation, the environmental conditions—which must be typical of the area— and the location of the vineyards are very important factors. The vineyards must be at the foot of a hill or a mountain with good exposure and at an altitude not exceeding 800 m above sea level. In addition, the new or replanted vineyards must be composed of  at least 4,000 plants per hectare.

Food pairings and experiences

The wines are best served to accompany local Camonica dishes. From Caicc de Bré to Gnoc de la Cua, Cuz—the oldest dish in Lombardy—and Castrato di Breno sausage, IGT Valle Camonica wines are a simple and delicate enhancement to local dishes, reflecting the devotion and love for the land of local producers.

For visitors interested in our local winegrowing methods and bottling processes, in addition to wine tasting, we recommend the experience “Bold wines on the slopes of Camonica Valley” offered by Cantina Bignotti winery in Piamborno.

Wine and olive oil tours in the Camonica Valley

There are two tours and education programs available for exploring the Camonica Valley winegrowing heritage.

“Among Vines and Wines”

A tour of vineyards and wineries in the Concarena alluvional fan accompanied by 5 information boards illustrating the history of viticulture in Camonica Valley. Departing from the Infopoint in Capo di Ponte and arriving in the center of Breno, this tour suggests places to visit with short detours to the main points of interest in the area, including  Naquane Park of Rock Drawings (UNESCO World Heritage site), the parish church of San Siro and the Monastery of San Salvatore, the Sanctuary of the Via Crucis in Cerveno, and Shrine of Minerva in Breno.

Travel time: 15 minutes by car, 1 hour and 20 minutes by bike, 2 hours and a half on foot.

“Among Vines and Olive Trees”

Tourist route among vineyards and olive trees in the municipalities of Piamborno and Darfo Boario Terme, with marvellous views of Lake Moro and Lake Iseo. Highly recommended sights: the Shrine of the Virgin Annunciate and Municipal Park of the Luine Rock Drawings, another World Heritage site.

Travel time: 1 hour by bike, 1 hour and a half on foot to the Annunciata; 3 hours by bike, 4 hours and a half on foot to Lake Moro.

Other food&wine experiences

Would you like to find out more about other experiences at local wineries and farms? Go to the sections Make in Brescia and Taste in Brescia and choose whatever suits you best!

For details on the tours, the list of wineries, news and information, visit the official Valle Camonica Wine Consortium website.

Camonica Valley Wine Consortium: contacts and information

Consorzio vini di Valcamonica
Caldera, via San Maurizio, Losine (Brescia)
+39 3388 262085 President: Tino Tedeschi
+39 348 1425521 Director: Sergio Bonomelli
e-mail: info@consorziovinivallecamonica.it

For details on the tours, the list of wineries, news and information, visit the official Valle Camonica Wine Consortium website.