The crown of the Alps protects the Valtellina area from the cold winds of the North and the hot and humid ones of the South. The warm breeze from lake of Como and the bright light of the mountain sun have created a special microclimate on the south-facing Rhaetian side. Every square metre dedicated to the vineyards in this areas, was obtained by covering the bare earth carried uphill manually, all held up by little dry walls. The most important wines of Valtellina are produced in the area that goes from Berbenno to Chiuro, known as Terziere di Mezzo. The zone ogf DOCG Valtellina Superiore Maroggia starts from Berbenno, that DOCG Valtellina Superiore Sassella from Castione Andevenno. Not far from the city of Sondrio, capital of the Terziere di Mezzo, we find the Sanctuary of Beata Vergine Annunziata, known as the church of the Madonna della Sassella from which the most prestigious area of the DOCG Valtellina Superiore Sassella takes its name. Starting from Masegra Castel in Sondrio, there is a path that leads through vineyards and castles to the ruins of De Piro Castel, better known as Grumello Castle, in Montagna in Valtellina. Valmalenco opens up behind Sondrio, a tourist resort famous for its mountains, its ski slopes, its querries of serpentine, its fields and its woods. Here beekeeping flourishes and honey is aboundant. The scented woods and the microclimate also guarantee the most favourable conditions for refining the bresaola. The wines and flavours route proceeds towards Chiuro, which is the area of production of Inferno, the third dnomination of DOCG Valtellina Superiore. This name is due to the high temperatures reached during the summer on the wine terraces.

The Sanctuary of the Santa Casa di Loreto in Tresivio, is found on a hill among rows of vineyards, at the start of apple orchards. The tasty apples of Valtellina, Golden Delicious and Stark Delicious, are very important for the agricolture in the Sondrio area. The heart of the orchards in in Ponte in Valtellina. A local gastronomic speciality of Valtellina are sciatt, balls made of buckwheat flour containing a soft heart of cheese with a drop of Grappa fried and served on a bed of chicory salad. Chiuro, with its four wine producing companies, can be considered the real capital of Valtellina Wines.    

From Postalesio to Sondrio 

The route from Postalesio proceeds towards Vendolo through woods adorned with beautiful row of vines till Andevenno. This is the starting point of the Sassella circuit, right in the middle of DOCG Valtellina Superiore Area. A short stop at the early 17th century Church of San Martino, then on to the small village of Grigioni. Turning left, the road runs through the village , full of old wineries. The main road climbs the crest of the Sassella to the villages of Piatta and Triangia, then descents towards St.Anna and Sondrio. From via Bernina, turning right into via Valeriana , you can reach the village of Triasso and adimre thev Sassella mountainside which faces down onto Sondrio in all its beauty. A right turn on State Road 38 takes you to the Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine Annunziata, otherwise known as the church of the Madonna della Sassella, dating back to the first half of the 15th century with its marvellous paintings. There are also some interesting wooden statues and the gothic portal adorned by an ancient high-relief lunette in white marble.

From Sondrio to Poggiridenti 

From piazza Garibaldi the route continues along via Lungo Mallero Cadorna up to Ponchiera, the start of the Grumello circuit. In Ponchiera, turn into via delle Prudenze which leads to the Grumello area close to the centre of Montagna in Valtellina with its 15th century Dean's church of St.Giorgio and 16th century church of Madonna del Carmine. From there you can reach the Panoramic route of the castles going towards Poggiridenti. On the right side, itinerary leads to the rock of Grumello dominated by the 13th century De Piro Castle.

From Poggiridenti  to Chiuro 

From Montagna the road follows the Panoramic route of the castles towards Poggiridenti through terraced vineyards. This is the start of the Inferno circuit. Near Poggiridenti take a rught turning down a lane that leads to the bottom of the valley and joins State road 38. Worhy of note in Poggiridenti are the 17th century church of Madonna del Carmine and the 16th century church of St.Fedele with its oratory. Continuing along the Panoramic route going towards Tresivio, at the side of the road just before reaching the town, you can see the magnificent 17th century Sanctuary of the Santa Casa di Loreto, surrounded by vineyards. Tresivio still boasts its 18th century Dean's church of SS.Pietro and Paolo. The view is enriched by the oratory of the calvary of 17th century situated in a prominent position. From Tresivio the road goes up to Ponte in Valtellina, an ancient town worth walking around with its 16th century church of St.Gregorio.The itinerary continues down towards Chiuro, one of the most important grapeharvesting point in the local industry. Its old town centre with beautiful farmhouses and aristocratic courtyards is a precious jewel.