Veltlin

Veltlin, or Valtellina in Italian, is a valley in Lombardy, northern Italy. It lies in the province of Sondrio and runs roughly north–south along the Adda river, between the Alps to the north and the southern foothills near Lake Como. The regional center is Sondrio; other important towns include Morbegno and Tirano. The landscape is marked by steep, terraced vineyards and alpine scenery.

Geography and wine are central to Valtellina. The valley's slopes are famed for Nebbiolo-based wines under the Valtellina DOCG, including Sassella, Grumello, Inferno, and Valgella, as well as the Sforzato di Valtellina, a wine made from sun-dried grapes. The climate is alpine in the upper valleys and more continental lower down. The Bernina railway line links Tirano with St. Moritz, while the surrounding roads connect to Milan and the Brenner corridor.

Historically, Valtellina was part of the Three Leagues (Graubünden) from the 16th to the 18th century, a strategically important corridor during the Thirty Years' War. It shifted under Napoleonic administration in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, then became part of the Lombardy-Venetia kingdom under Austrian rule, before joining the Kingdom of Italy in 1859–61. The valley has long displayed a mix of Italian and alpine cultural influences and religious tensions.

Today's economy emphasizes wine production, apples, and tourism. The region is known for enogastronomic traditions, including bresaola, pizzocheri pasta, Castelmagno cheese, and other Lombard specialties. Visitors come for hiking and winter sports in towns like Bormio and Aprica, scenic drives through the terraced vineyards, and wine-tasting along the Strada del Vino Valtellina.