Terroir

Vezia's Rolling Hills

The rolling hills of Vezia near Lugano provide a stunning backdrop for Tenuta Bally & von Teufenstein. Nestled in the heart of Ticino, this region is renowned for its unique microclimate and mineral-rich soil, offering the ideal terroir for cultivating premium Merlot grapes. Over the past century, it has become one of Switzerland's most esteemed wine regions, celebrated for its elegance and character.

The vineyards of Tenuta Bally stretch across 6.5 hectares within the picturesque estate of Vezia. Our wines are crafted with care from the finest Merlot grapes, along with select parcels of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet varietals. Each bottle reflects the rich terroir and tradition of Ticino, from the elegant La Piana Sauvignon Blanc to the Riserva Ernesto blend.

Characteristics of the Region

12° Average annual temperature

220 Sunny days

370 Meter elevation

Climate

Lugano and Vezia enjoy a temperate climate shaped by the Alps and Lake Lugano. Warm, sunny days are balanced by cool evening breezes descending from the mountains, offering natural air circulation throughout the growing season. This ideal climate allows the vineyards of Tenuta Bally & von Teufenstein to produce elegant wines with vibrant aromatics, refined structure, and refreshing acidity.

Soils

The soils of Tenuta Bally & von Teufenstein in Lugano and Vezia were shaped by glacial activity and alpine streams, creating diverse soil types from sandy loams to calcareous clays. In Vezia, mineral-rich glacial moraine deposits and erosion of limestone and granite enrich the vineyards, producing vibrant, mineral-driven wines. Cool alpine breezes and warm southern sun further enhance their structured, aromatic character.

Steep hills

Grape Varieties

We focus on traditional hand harvesting to ensure only the finest fruit is selected. The unique combination of soil composition and ideal climate in the region provides the perfect conditions for cultivating exceptional grape quality.

Merlot

Merlot, a prized grape variety originating from the Bordeaux region of France, thrives in the sunny soils of the Vezia area near Lugano.

These wines are distinguished by a vivid ruby color, offering a balanced and full-bodied flavor, accompanied by a refined aromatic bouquet.

Aged Merlot from this region reveals a sophisticated aroma, interweaving notes of toasted oak, dried cherries, a subtle smoky nuance, and earthy hints of truffle.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon, the world's most celebrated red grape, has its roots in the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux, France. It produces red wines and blends of extraordinary quality, prized for their depth and refinement.

Characterized by an intense ruby color and full-bodied structure, these wines release vivid aromas of wild berries from Lugano—blackcurrant, blackberry, and elderberry. When aged in oak barrels, they develop a complex bouquet, interweaving notes of Ticino alpine spices, toasted wood, dark chocolate, and a hint of cinnamon.

Cabernet Franc

Cabernet Franc, a red grape variety native to France, flourishes in the sunny vineyards of the Lugano region. It is used to produce table and dessert wines, characterized by a delicate ruby color and intense aromas of raspberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, and wild blueberries.

Beloved in Ticino's temperate climate, this grape variety gives life to wines that embody the essence of the region's terroir. The gentle hills and lake-kissed breezes of Vezia enhance its fruity profile.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay, the world's most celebrated white grape, has its origins in the renowned regions of Burgundy and Champagne in France. Its heritage is linked to prized French white wines and the sparkling effervescence of Champagne.

In the Lugano region, Chardonnay produces high-quality white table wines, appreciated for their vivid freshness, balanced flavors, and vibrant fruity notes. When aged in oak barrels, these wines develop rich hints of vanilla, toasted wood, and a delicate smoky nuance.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc, a prestigious white grape variety, comes from the renowned Bordeaux region of France. It thrives in the well-drained red soils of the temperate and breezy areas around Lugano, where the vines grow vigorously and offer abundant harvests.

These grapes produce excellent quality white wines, ranging from dry and vivid varieties to slightly sweet, appreciated for their liveliness and versatility.

Sustainability

We think of sustainability as a direction not as a destination; a task that for a wine-making company today needs to be defined in a broadly ambitious manner, through both oenological practice that is sensitive to the eco-system and careful to add in the long term to the quality of the environment, and – more generally – socially responsible activities; the protection of production in each territory, the countryside, the traditions, the culture.