Pontisella Stampa

Once an old patrician house from 1848, Pontisella Stampa is a wholesome, minimalist design bed and breakfast of Bergell charm where traditions of the past are celebrated, and a curated homeliness is the new luxury. Surrounded by the dramatic peaks of Ago di Sciora in the Bregaglia range of the Alps in Graubünden, Switzerland, the noble, green-shuttered house with wrought-iron balconies remains prodigious, yet it is striking in its sturdy simplicity, standing unchanged for nearly 200 years. Thick walls circle the garden and house, occupying a tranquil spot just below the forested mountain slopes.

Crackling fires, a garden overflowing with wildflowers, Swiss pine wood hundreds of years old that still smells sweet…these are humble, tactile experiences at Pontisella that contribute to an inner sense of happiness and satisfaction of both guest and host. The gentle give and take of warm hospitality is in evidence here – the joy in slow lane experiences of tea with herbs gathered from the garden, sunset as its slips between the mountains and the quietude of nature.

Once Italian confectioners, the Pontisella family used this as a holiday home; today, the Erne family, together with architect Christopher Sauter from nearby St. Moritz, set about celebrating the house’s heritage hallmarks from the original larch floor, the stencil-painted ceilings to the cosy tiled stove, and the two-hundred-year-old aromatic pine wood.

Creating this reductive template allowed for the perfect backdrop to designer lighting pieces, mid-century seating, shoulder-height forêt candlesticks and a showcase of the region’s crafts. The guesthouse’s own artisan shop Butega Pontisella is the place to invest into this irresistibly wholesome lifestyle with smooth wooden bowls, organic cotton towels, palm oil-free soap and beauty products infused with local mountain herbs.

Add to this authentic refuge a stimulating roster of cultural programs from jazz, literary readings to open-air cinema, and the unassuming casa will enlighten and sharpen the minds of fortunate guests. The magical simplicity of Pontisella will fill you up.

There are just four guest rooms at Pontisella named after the herbs that grow and scent the garden – Rosemary, Lavender, Sage and Thyme. All slightly different, they share a simple luxe created with natural materials and a minimalist aesthetic. Metal-free double beds are commissioned from furniture designers and come with organic bed linen from Hess Natur, natural Swiss wool duvets from ZIZZZ, topped with organic towels. Shuttered windows open up to mountain vistas – especially beautiful at sunset.

Rosemary stands out for its use of 100-year-old Swiss stone pine, - in fact the whole room is clad in wood, with an original larch floor creating a wonderful homeliness and gentle fragrance that only wood can bring. An added feeling of warmth comes from the tiled stove and original 50s armchairs. We also like the cosy cossetting of ‘Sage’ – with its dark grey-green mineral colour and low-slung Tojo bed.

Given its location, it’s no great surprise that the foodie offerings here make the most of fresh produce that comes from the hills, mountains and valleys of the region. Or even closer to home – Pontisella’s garden yields vegetables, herbs, eggs from their chickens, fruit for breakfast and from the kitchen – freshly made bread from the oven.

Always looking for the best organic option within the season, the guesthouse sources dairy from local producers Lateria Bregaglia and meat from nearby famers, and alongside muesli, yoghurt, seeds, berries amongst others, producing a delicious and wholesome breakfast smorgasbord of delicious treats to set you up for the day. Afternoons are for homemade cake, tea or coffee and a sunny spot in the garden.

Cradled within the Ago di Sciora – a mountain range in the Bregaglia Range of the Alps, located south of Vicosoprano in the canton of Graubünden, Pontisella is found in the historical village of Stampa. Once the home of artist Alberto Giacometti (1901–66), who drew portraits of his wife here, today the jagged peaks surround the valley play a large part in the foodie culture and traditions of the area.

Also in Stampa is the regal Palazzo Castelmur, built in 1723 and characterised by two towers that flank the main building. Inside is a museum with performances, exhibitions and concerts held. Famous natural phenomenon in the area comes in the form of the Kissing Rocks, two craggy granite boulders that meet in the middle over the road – quite the photo op. The nearest international airport is Milan, over the border in northern Italy.

For years the house belonged to the family Pontisella, Italian confectioners by trade who used the home for holidays in this idyllic and peaceful location of mountains, valleys and forests. Two years ago, the house received new owners – the Erne family who together have taken the guesthouse under their collective wing as a family project.

Each family member brings their own skills and expertise to Pontisella - Nicola makes the best coffee, Basil keeps the stoves banked with logs, Johanna is charged with being the creative while Sophie and Florian are the content creators for the website. Host Daniel among many other tasks is the man who keeps the buffet breakfast looking delicious – a good guy to keep on your side!