A story that spans ten centuries
Past: Deep within the thick vegetation and inaccessible to most people, the Vallechiara springs were known since the tenth century AD for the characteristics of their water. Otto I of Saxony (950 AD), Charles V Holy Roman Emperor (1532 AD) and Victor Amadeus of Savoy (1708 AD) appreciated its delicate taste and crystal clear purity; even Napoleon, having passed through this area a few times, became an exceptional testimonial. In the Dizionario geografico – storico – statistico – commerciale degli Stati di S.M. il Re di Sardegna (Dictionary of geography, history, statistics and trade of the States of HM the King of Sardinia), written by Goffredo Casalis in 1833, the qualities of Vallechiara mineral water were universally confirmed: “Here, in the region named ‘la Baiga’, lies a mineral spring, useful for curing abdominal disease”.
Present: Terme Vallechiara spa was founded in 1965, and after some changes in ownership, it was acquired in 2004 by Sergio Parato, who transformed it into what it is today: a modern business, with a historic character.
Today, Vallechiara mineral water preserves all the characteristics that have made it one of Italy's top ten, recognised by the prestigious publication Gambero Rosso since 2002. Mentioned in 2006 by ADAM (Associazione Degustatori Acque Minerali, Association of Mineral Water Tasters) in the renowned “Charter on water”, it is distributed in Italy as the official sponsor of events such as Vinum, Moscato Wine and Festival Go Wine; and it is well exported to France, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where it sponsors numerous social and sporting events. |
At Altare...
not just water
 The same document written by Casalis also mentions the glass art of Altare, well known and highly esteemed both in Italy and abroad since the fourteenth century, to which the Museo del vetro (Glass museum) was dedicated. With the arrival of the Schmid brothers from Bavaria, the glass school of Altare specialised in the fine art of glass cutting. The glassworkers created unique masterpieces, as well as tools for physical and chemical laboratories, where easy cleaning and long lasting durability made glass the most suitable material. In fact, it was in the nineteenth century that the expression "à la façon d'Altare" was coined, meaning the ideal and only way in which the glassmakers would “shape” the glass.
Etruscan glassworks
Today, Vallechiara springs continue to purchase bottles from the Vetreria Etrusca di Altare (Etruscan Glassworks of Altare), a few hundred metres from our facilities, creating a short supply chain in production, which demonstrates our true respect for the environment: no pollution from hundreds of kilometres of transport, and the glass is 100% reused and recycled.
Vallechiara, a sip of
our love for nature. |
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