Winery

Sandro Fay

Sandro Fay first commercially produced wine back in 1973, since then their reputation has grown steadily. They are now recognised as one of Valtellina’s top wineries.

The Wines

Their Chiavennasca AKA Nebbiolo wines are delicious, fine, and sophisticated. Maybe the closest Nebbiolo comes to Pinot Noir? Seek out the Valtellina Superiore Riserva Carteria, and Superiore Costa Bassa, both from the Valgella sub-zone.

About Sandro Fay

Like many producers in this region, Sandro Fay focuses on Chiavennasca (named after the nearby town of Chiavenna) – the region’s speciality and their unique expression of Nebbiolo. In recent times, global pressures have encouraged Valtellina producers to re-label their wines as Nebbiolo – In my opinion, a real shame! Almost all of Fay’s wines come from the Valgella zone which gets little tempering influence from Lake Como, resulting in a classic alpine vine growing area when coupled with the fact that their vineyards range between 400m and 800m.

It’s also worth noting that the soil breakdown here is almost the opposite to the Langhe with literally no traces of clay or limestone. Here, it is mostly primary rock and sand which proves to work well with their climate and choice of vines.  Although the region is regarded as one of the most challenging in Italy to make quality wine, Fay are highly regarded and produce an array of wonderfully food orientated wines that show vitality, racy acidity, salty minerals and lingering fine tannins.

In recent times, his son Marco (winemaker) and daughter Elena (sales & marketing) took over the reins, so it’s truly a family managed Estate.

Where in the World is Sandro Fay?

Sandro Fay is in the Valgella sub-zone of Valtellina, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Close to the border with Switzerland.

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Yet another successful 'Costa Bassa' from Fay! Thoughts read pretty much the same as for the delicious 2019. Loads of pleasure here, the harmony, and, the inviting, drink me, nature of the wine is just the beginning. It really has everything in all the right places. Excellent. Got that whole alpine thing going on. Excellent weight and shape to it. Playful dusty chalky slightly chewy tannins with fine boned acid. Sour cherry with licorice a hint of smoke, resinous. A thirst quencher with epic
$64
$61ea in any 3+
$58ea in any 6+
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Pinot-esque!!
Grace under pressure. The purity, line & length, and, expression of this wine is exceptional. Where the 2016 Costa Bassa drinks so beautifully out of the gate. 2016 Carteria steps up the depth, length and layering, this will be superb. Brooding and a little darker than the Costa Bassa, it's not just depth of flavour, but depth of tannin that shine. A little patience will yiled a treasure! The textures, harmony and pleasure Sandro Fay are dishing up is exceptional. This will undoubtedly hit the
$119
$114ea in any 3+
$109ea in any 6+
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