OUR WINERY
I am convinced that my personal story starts way back in 1954 when my father Orfeo and my grandfather Elia D’Andrea left Rauscedo in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, for Buenos Aires, Argentina. After WWII life was very difficult in Italy; working in the fields wasn’t enough to feed a large family with 8 children.
My grandparents decided to emigrate and set roots in Mendoza, Argentina with the purpose to work in the vineyards like they did in Italy. In the 50ies Buenos Aires was a great city full of opportunities and that is the main reason why my family got « stuck » in the Argentinian capital. Plans changed accordingly and they reinvented themselves in the construction business without giving up the passion for wine making.
I grew up in a big city and since my early childhood I was priviledged to get to accompany my father and granpa to the Palermo’s market, the famous neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, where we would patiently wait for the grape’s truck from Mendoza to arrive at his final destination: I remember getting thrilled by seing the truck appear at the end of the street!
As soon as the grape boxes were downloaded, my grandfather would walk rapidly among them and check the quality with his expert eyes. He would take some grapes in his hands and squeeze them, then he would give me some and explain that I had to pay attention to the stickiness of the grapes’ juice (as I got older, I understood that this was his personal method to check on the sugar concentration of the grapes).
He and my dad were so happy when they managed to find the perfect grapes: they would be loaded straight away in our Pick-up. It was time to return home and to immediately start with the whole wine making process which would have ended up a few months later with our « vino di casa » (house wine), the wine we were used to share during family « asados » (Argentinian BBQs).
I’ve studied Architecture at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) renovating the same wine ritual, sharing with my family and friends the pleasure to get together for a good cause : wine making !
Years ago, I traveled to Switzerland for love and for love I stayed here. I have founded my own family in Ticino and have had the chance to meet great people who have given my the opportunity to deepen my passion. I got a degree in Viticulture and Oenology at the Università degli Studi di Milano and worked for eight years at the Cantina Monti in Cademario, where I have experimented and perfectionated my knowledge in a modern and avant-garde wine reality of Canton Ticino.
Cantina Helvetica was established in 2012 in Pianezzo, Valle Morobbia. Our winery is the result of the search and desire to join love for details, passion for the « savoir faire » and for one of the best terroirs for the Merlot and Chardonnay production with the most modern oenological technologies.
Passion, innovation and tradition come together in a unique alchemy giving to our line of fine wines named « Deseos » (wishes) aromas, colours, structure and character.
Cheers!
