Durin Winery
Durin Wines
A FOOT IN THE TRADITION AND THE OTHER ONE IN THE FUTURE
Durin Wines have distant origins. It all began at the end of the 19th century when Isidoro Basso decided to start cultivating a small plot of land in the Arroscia Valley, a territory rich in history, culture, and beautiful natural landscapes. In fact, it is in the Ortovero municipality, where the Basso family is from, that Isidoro sowed the seed of what would become the future Durin Wines, named after this remarkable man who, humorously, was called “Isidurin” (little Isidoro) by everyone in town.
As often happens, farmland is passed from father to son. Angelo, born in 1906, continued the family’s farming legacy after returning from military service in the 1920s, planting the first vine trees. Over a long lifetime—he passed away in 2004—Angelo helped shape what would become Durin Wines, building up the family business. Today, his son Antonio follows in his footsteps, representing the third generation of Basso winegrowers and continuing the proud tradition of Durin Wines.
Being Isidoro’s nephew and Angelo’s son, Antonio Basso decided to give up Medical school and to engage with heart and soul to agriculture, at the end of the Seventies. Antonio himself chose to give to the winery the name Durin, in loving memory of his grandfather. Meeting Laura, who represents the other half of Durin’s heart for over twenty years, strengthened the resolve to stay true to the family’s legacy.
As of today, Durin is one of the most
well-known Liguria wineries .
The vineyards, a combination of beauty and hard work
Durin’s vineyards are the symbol of Ligurian viticulture whose peculiar traits are patches of land that embrace different landscapes at the same time providing unparalleled breath-taking views.
A less appreciated downside, for those growing vines, are the steep hill ranges which are very common even here in the Arroscia Valley in the province of Savona where, seated in 5 different municipalities – Ortovero, Ranzo, Onzo, Garlenda, Rialto – lay Durin’s vineyards, covering a 16 and a half hectares area which is a remarkable amount considering the regional standards.
The farm owns 259 plots of land at the present day and the slopes differ from one wine-growing area to the other, ranging from 70 up to 600 m.a.s.l.. The ripening of Pigato, Vermentino, Rossese, Ormeasco, Barbera, Alicante, Granaccia, Syrah and Lumassina is made easier by the mild weather as well as by the sea breeze which covers juicy grapes bunches and star-shaped leaves with a light white layer. The wine saltiness, along with any other environmental condition will be found in the glass, after going through necessary and experimental processes in the cellar, which produces and releases wines with a peculiar Ligurian flavour.