Producer Portrait · Switzerland

Delea

The full diversity of the sun lounge, Merlot from the steepest sites.

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Get to know Delea

Delea's extensive range reflects the full diversity of Ticino: lovers of good wine find in Delea wines the warmth and zest for life of Switzerland's southernmost canton. The house of Delea produces the well-known easy-drinking everyday wines from the Merlot grape, fruity companions for Ticino specialities, best enjoyed in the shade of a chestnut tree.

Steepest Sites

Delea's top wines thrive in an extremely demanding environment: the vines grow high up on exceptionally steep slopes that, when it rains, can only be reached on foot. In summer, however, they are pampered by the sun until 10pm, and the directly adjoining cool forest ensures the warmth never becomes too much for the plants.

The Power of the Years

The Merlot vines of the Carato wines are 60 years old, some even older. Because of their venerable age, they yield only small quantities, which in turn impress with wonderful sweetness and exceptionally concentrated, multi-layered aromas.

Carved in Stone

The vines for the Carato wines grow on a subsoil of mighty granite blocks. Only a thin layer of soil lies on the granite: the roots must dig deep into the mountain between the stones to reach water. Only the strongest vines manage this.

New Barrels for Perfect Aromatics

Following the classical Bordeaux method, the noble Carato wines are allowed to mature in new barrels of French oak from Allier and Nevers. The Diamante enjoys a special treatment beforehand: the selected grapes dry for three to four weeks in a ventilated, cooled room. This concentrates the aromas, similar to the Amarone method.