The name Tamborini stands for tradition and innovation, for the past and pioneering spirit. The company is led by Claudio Tamborini and his nephew Mattia Bernardoni, representing the 2nd and 3rd generation. "My father Carlo founded the company in 1944," Claudio Tamborini recalls. His parents came from Varese and his mother ran a well-known restaurant in Lugano. This is how the idea to import wines from Italy and sell them to the gastronomy sector was born.

Claudio Tamborini, who studied viticulture in Lausanne, Bordeaux, and Germany, wanted to set new paths and bring innovations that went beyond trading, after finishing his studies. For the past 120 years, Merlot has been cultivated in Ticino on an area of 1,100 hectares," he explains. "I wanted to be part of this story and produce myself."

Vision Becomes Reality

Step by step, with passion and competence, Claudio Tamborini realized his vision. In Lamone, he built a winery and soon it was evident that he had set the course in the right direction. "With our own production starting in 1978, a new era began," says Claudio Tamborini. "However, this does not mean that we have lost our identity as an importer. We still import wine from 43 medium-small wineries from Italy, France, and Spain."

Today, 40 employees are working for the company, and during the harvest they receive support from seasonal workers. The annual production amounts to 600,000 bottles of wine, additionally, 400,000 bottles of wine from Italy are sold. The selection is complemented by selected whiskies and champagnes from RM producers. Professional advice about these fine drinks is provided by an experienced sommelier. 80% of the wines are distributed to the gastronomy and hotel industry, with the remaining 20% going to retailers such as large supermarket chains and private individuals.

Curious About the New

In our own wines, Merlot dominates with 90%. "Initially, we produced exclusively red wines," explains Claudio Tamborini. "Since the mid-1980s, white vinified Merlot has been a specialty. We are open to new grape varieties and production systems, and we continuously experiment with innovative approaches. A notable example is Arinarnoa, a cross between Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon."

Tamborini Carlo SA has now cultivated 17 different grape varieties from around the world, works with two oenologists as cellar masters, an agronomist in the vineyards, and has its own lab for analysis – all of which provides a strong foundation to produce both traditional and innovative quality wines and to control the process from the vine to the grape to vinification. With an eye on the future and openness to new ideas, Tamborini Carlo SA is also delving into the topic of organic wines.

"In Ticino, there is generally more hesitancy regarding the acceptance of organic wines," says Claudio Tamborini. "Additionally, cultivation is challenging as the area experiences a lot of rainfall, which greatly increases the risk of fungal infections. We have planted fungus-resistant varieties like Johanniter on some plots. Currently, these are only white grapes, but in the future we plan to expand the assortment to include red grapes or special cuvées of PIWIS. We have been working with PIWI and organic wines for ten years and offer an organic wine whose grapes come from a certified organic viticulturist."

Brand Ambassador for Ticino Wine

Tamborini Carlo SA has long been a flagship and brand ambassador for quality wines from Ticino. A success that does not come by chance. "We can rely on a strong team that brings experience and a willingness to innovate," emphasizes Mattia Bernardoni. "Thanks to our curiosity about new things, many modern wines like the ‘Gioia di Vivere’ line have been brought to market. We are buyers of grapes but also have our own vineyards in our possession, which is unusual. It is important for us to determine our own position and to use the name of the location or domain."

The Future is Innovative and Sustainable

Tamborini Carlo SA has a clear vision. The winery wants to be the reference company for Ticino wines and remain a pioneer, focusing on sustainability. "Thanks to the excellent work of our agronomist, significantly fewer pesticides are used today, resulting in fewer residues in the grapes and none in the wines," underlines Mattia Bernardoni. "For us, there is not just black or white, organic or conventional, but something in between; namely clean, sustainable wines. Therefore, our cellar works in a vegan manner."

Tamborini Carlo SA will continue to keep an eye on market developments while taking a long-term approach. "Developing a wine takes time," as Claudio Tamborini says. "For a new grape variety, one must plan five to six years in advance. Often there are rapid changes, making it difficult to anticipate. Nevertheless, we want to continue to be innovative while strengthening the idea of sustainability in the company."