The name says it all: we are a family business. Complete and independent responsibility for the business is now in the hands of the fourth generation of the Triacca family. Both our family home and the business are situated in Campascio, in the Swiss valley of Poschiavo. The vineyards and the winery are just across the border in Italy, in the nearby Valtellina and in Tuscany.

We have a track record of almost 100 years as Swiss vine-growers and wine-makers, commercialising our Italian wines for the most part in our own domestic market of Switzerland - much to the dismay of Italian wine connoisseurs. Our wines are consistently awarded top scores in the Italian wine guide Gambero Rosso.

Nevertheless, our wines are increasingly prized in Italy, the United States, Germany, Benelux, Austria and England.

The Valtellina and Tuscany: two landscapes which couldn't be more different. Steep slopes in one, gentle hills in the other. The wines too have little in common, not only because of the different terroirs, but also because of the different grape varieties involved.

In the Valtellina, the red grape Nebbiolo (also known as Chiavennasca) dominates the vineyards. In addition there is also the red Pignola, from which we make white wine, both still and sparkling - a blanc de noir. We have also planted Sauvignon Blanc for white wines.

The Nebbiolo is to the Valtellina as the Sangiovese to Tuscany, though the contribution of the latter is not quite so overwhelming. Besides this, there is the long-established Canaiolo. This was one of the four grape varieties which formerly constituted the Chianti blend. In recent years Cabernet Sauvignon has gained a lot of ground, including in our own vineyards. We also have high hopes of Merlot. At La Madonnina we produce only red wine, so there are no white wine varieties. At Santavenere, however, there are small plots planted with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.