The delicate apple trees rise from
the carpet of flowers that covers the northern slopes of
the valley. Vibrant green leaves mingle with the apple blossoms to create a sea
of white and green that extends as far as the eye can see from the valleys to mid-way
up the slopes.
This spectacular annual show – best enjoyed when the weather starts to get
warmer and the sky becomes an intense blue – is particularly breath-taking when
viewed from the Valtellina Wine Road, an easy route that takes you on foot or by car along the valley and halfway up the lower slopes
The wine road is lined with vineyards, olive trees and a variety of apple
trees: Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Morgenduft,
Granny Smith. The apple orchards are representative of local
farming traditions and dominate the alluvial slopes up to 900 metres above sea
level in Ponte in Valtellina, Bianzone, and the area that borders on Villa di
Tirano, Sernio and Lovero.
These townships have long been associated with the orchards and the locals are
well aware of the importance of the flowering season, which
is both beautiful and extremely delicate.
