High in the Alps of Lombardia, where the vineyards seem to cling to the cliffs, Siro Buzzetti and his son Francesco tend their impossibly steep terraces by hand. This is heroic viticulture in its purest form — no machines, just stone walls, mountain air, and a fierce love for a landscape shaped by glaciers and time. Here, Nebbiolo takes on its most Alpine expression, known locally as Chiavennasca. The poor, sandy soils and dramatic day-night temperature swings give the wine a clarity and lift that’s worlds apart from its cousins in Barolo or Barbaresco. The 2022 Sassella is precise and vibrant, with red mountain berries, wild herbs, and a touch of stony minerality. Elegant and deeply rooted in its place, it carries the energy of the high terraces in every sip — a wine that speaks of dedication, altitude, and the rugged beauty of Valtellina.