Valdisole
Roero, Piedmont, ITA

Valdisole was born in 2015 on the Roero hills, in the charming town of Corneliano d’Alba, in the heart of the Langhe. Giuseppe Amato and Kyriaki Kalimeri, both from completely different professional backgrounds, impulsively purchased their first half-hectare vineyard online - a neglected parcel of Nebbiolo, abandoned and overgrown. This original vineyard, now considered a “Heroic” site, is cultivated on steep, challenging slopes, reflecting the resilience and history of these old vines.

Today, Valdisole’s estate spans approximately 4 ha, with around 3 ha under vine, all dry-farmed on the Roero hills, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The vineyards include a combination of young and old plantings, some vines reaching up to 60 years of age. They are situated at 380 m above sea level, on south-facing hills with varied soils - sandy slopes interspersed with clay layers and rich with marine fossils, a subtle reminder of the land’s ancient origins. The landscape of Roero, wild and diverse with forests, nut trees, and crops alongside vineyards, contrasts with the more regimented stretches of Barolo and Barbaresco, giving Valdisole’s wines a distinctive sense of place.

From the outset, Giuseppe and Kyriaki have embraced a strictly natural approach in both vineyard and cellar. They practice organic and biodynamic viticulture, avoiding synthetic chemicals and relying on natural treatments like propolis and seaweed. Fermentations are spontaneous, with minimal sulphites added, and any sulphur used is mineral-based. To maintain creative freedom in winemaking - especially with non-traditional styles like long skin-contact whites - they often bottle their wines as table wine, as Piedmont does not allow IGT, which would otherwise be the lowest classification above table wine. This choice allows them to experiment freely while expressing the character of their terroir.

Every vintage at Valdisole reflects Giuseppe and Kyriaki’s curiosity, refinement, and respect for the land. They continually experiment with winemaking methods while remaining rooted in the character of the Roero, improving with each vintage and always seeking to express the unique personality of each plot - especially their historic, “Heroic” vineyards - hard yakka sites exceeding 30° gradient slopes of high elevation, recognised for the efforts of manual labour over heavy, soil compacting machinery. Their wines are driven by a passion for originality and authenticity, capturing a specific vision in every bottle while honouring the resilience and history of their vines.