This is the
season when nature comes into its own. Alongside the busy calendar of food and
wine events (explore culinary happenings here) and many custom gourmet tours to
pick from (see our top picks here), you’ll also be right on time for harvest
season.
The harvest of apples in the
province of Sondrio begins as early as September and takes over a good chunk of
the valley between Tirano and Sondrio. But the size of the apple harvest is
nothing compared to what goes on in the vineyards: Valtellina is Italy’s
biggest terraced wine-growing zone and home to some truly superb red wines,
most notably the Sforzato and Valtellina Superiore, which are both proudly DOCG
certified. The grape harvest is an all-generation affair and a sight to be
witnessed!
Chestnuts are Valtellina’s
signature autumn treat, which you’ll find in abundance in the forests once
they’re ripe and ready to drop from the trees. While they’re easy to find, take
care while collecting them as they can be prickly on the outside.
The Orobic Alps are the best
place to find these treasures. Gather the whole family or a bunch of friends
for a chestnut-gathering session and admire the fiery autumnal colours at their
peak.
Valtellina and autumn mean
only one thing: mushrooms, and particularly porcini! Starting in late summer on
the Rhaetian and Orobic Alps sides of the valley, the woodland erupts with highly aromatic
mushrooms that locals love to sniff out. Note that there are limitations on how
much you’re permitted to take home—especially if you’re within a nature reserve
or natural park (for the specifics on this, please visit the individual
websites of the 5 mountain districts – Valchiavenna, Alta Valtellina, Tirano,
Sondrio and Morbegno).
Top tip: Enjoy the earthly
flavours with a good helping of polenta taragna (click here for the recipe).
