Thank you Oltrepò Pavese for our vine-filled adventures

Our Oltrepò Pavese wine country travels were packed with vine-filled activities. After our last winery visit each day, off we went to meet up with other local producers over dinner. The dinners (Agritourismo La Colombina, and Il Feudo Nico) were hosted for us as guests of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Oltrepò Pavese, Pavia Province during our #WMC22 post-conference trip. We had come to discover Oltrepò Pavese's wines therefore meeting with as many wine producers as possible offered maximum insights into this region. Dinner was a great way to be introduced Oltrepò Pavese wines that we would have missed otherwise. Hopefully, this post not only captures the highlights from these two diners but also shows appreciation. Thank you all!!

Dinner at Agritourismo La Colombina - I Doria Di Montalto 

After our Torti Wines visit on that first day off we into the night. Agritourismo La Colombina was our dinner hosts that evening. 

Oltrepò Pavese Nights © Spaswinefood

On the first evening we ate at Agritourismo La Colombina - I Doria Di Montalto. Their Agritourismo has 75 hectares of vineyards from which they produce Doria wines: Riesling, Barbera, Croatina, Nebbiolo and Pinot Nero. In addition, they produce wines from Croatina, Rara and Vespolina, which are grapes of ancient cultivation. While tradition is important to the Doria Family, they also use the most modern technologies, to create quality wines. Upon arrival our host welcomed us with I Doria sparkling riesling wines.

Agritourismo La Colombina - I Doria Di Montalto © Spaswinefood 

1. I Doria Di Montalto, Riesling Brut Metodo Classico

I Doria Di Montalto, Riesling Brut © Spaswinefood

2. I Doria Di Montalto, Milleottocento Metodo Classico

I Doria Di Montalto, Milleottocento Metodo Classico © Spaswinefood

These pre-dinner I Doria Di Montalto Metodo Classico Riesling wines were a fabulous introduction to Oltrepò Pavese Riesling wines.

Table Ready, Agritourismo La Colombina © Spaswinefood

One of the wines first served for dinner was a La Travaglina Martinburgo Metodo Classico Brut.

Tasting La Travaglina Martinburgo © Spaswinefood

An appertizer plate was served to go along with the La Travaglina Martinburgo Metodo Classico Brut.

Appertizer, Agritourismo La Colombina © Spaswinefood

This was followed by the next two wines:

Berté & Cordini Cuvée Nero D'Oro Metodo Classico

Berté & Cordini, Cuvée Nero D'Oro Metodo Classico © Spaswinefood

Vigna Del Felice, Riesling Renano IGT 2020

Vigna Del Felice, Riesling Renano IGT 2020 © Spaswinefood

The first course was a mushroom pasta.

First Plate: Pasta, Agritourismo La Colombina © Spaswinefood

This plate was accompanied by riesling wine.

I Doria Di Montalto, Roncobianco Reserva

I Doria Di Montalto, Roncobianco Reserva © Spaswinefood

This I Doria Di Montalto Riesling added to my overall appreciation of I Doria Di Montalto Riesling wines.

Soon the second plates arrived at the table.

Second Plate, Agritourismo La Colombina © Spaswinefood

Second Plate (Vegetarian), Agritourismo La Colombina © Spaswinefood

Soon the red wines arrived.

La Travaglina Casaia Pinot Nero © Spaswinefood

Berté & Cordini, Nüval Pinot Nero dell'Oltrepò Pavese 2015

Berté & Cordini, Nüval Pinot Nero dell'Oltrepò Pavese 2015 © Spaswinefood

Oltrepò Pavese Cruase Metodo Classico DOCG wines also served during dinner.

La Travaglina, Julillae Cruase Metodo Classico Brut DOCG

La Travaglina Julillae Cruase Metodo Classico Brut DOCG © Spaswinefood

Berté & Cordini, Cruase Pinot Nero Rosé Metodo Classico Brut Nature  DOCG

Berté & Cordini, Cruase Pinot Nero Rosé Metodo Classico Brut Nature  DOCG © Spaswinefood

Cruase Pinot Nero Rosé Metodo Classico Brut Nature in the Glass © Spaswinefood

These Oltrepò Pavese Cruase Metodo Classico DOCG were outstanding! 

Of course there was dessert and coffee, and a sweet wine that I missed tasting.

Oltrepò Pavese Vine-filled Days, Agritourismo La Colombina © Spaswinefood

Dinner was a great way to meet producers whose wineries we could not visit.

Thanks Oltrepò Pavese Wine Producers © Spaswinefood

The wines served over dinner amid conversations added to my further appreciation of Oltrepò Pavese . 

Diner at Il Feudo Nico

Next day, after a fantastic wine tasting at Conte Vistarino we boarded the van and headed to dinner at Il Feudo Nico. 

Table Ready, Il Feudo Nico © Spaswinefood

Table Ready, Il Feudo Nico © Spaswinefood

One of the first wines poured that evening was Il Feudo Nico wine.

Il Feudo Nico, Maira Antonietta Method Classico Brut

Il Feudo Nico, Maira Antonietta Method Classico Brut © Spaswinefood

This wine is part of Il Feudo Nico's Maria Antonietta Wine Collection.

Next wine was Bruno Verdi.

Bruno Verdi, Riesling 2021

Bruno Verdi, Riesling  2021 © Spaswinefood

Following the wines there was an appetizer served.

Appetizer Plate, Il Feudo Nico © Spaswinefood

Soon the first plate arrived.

First Plate-Pasta, Il Feudo Nico © Spaswinefood

As the second plate arrived we were served red wines (Oltrepò Pavese Rosso Riserva DOC). 

Bruno Verdi, Cavariola Oltrepò Pavese Rosso Riserva DOC 2018 © Spaswinefood

Wine Moments with Second Plate, Il Feudo Nico © Spaswinefood

Of course there was always vegetarian options.

Second Plate (Vegetarian) Il Feudo Nico © Spaswinefood

Our evening dinner included more Oltrepò Pavese (Rosso) red wines. These were red wines that we never encountered during our two-day visit. They were Bonarda, Barbera, and another Oltrepò Pavese red wine (Rosso). 

Oltrepò Pavese Bonarda wine is made from the Coatina grapes (85-100%), with other grape varieties being Barbera, Uva Rara, and Ughetta (to a maximum of 15%). It is produced as a Bonarda Dell’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC.

The following are two Bonarda Dell’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC wines we tasted during dinner:

Bonarda Vino Firma, Dell’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC

Bonarda Vino Firma, Dell’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC © Spaswinefood

Bonarda dell’Oltrepò Pavese “Vigna del Povrömme” DOC 

Bonarda dell’Oltrepò Pavese “Vigna del Povrömme” DOC  © Spaswinefood

Oltrepò Pavese Barbera wine is made from Barbera grapes (85-100%) and other varietals to a maximum of 15%.  It is produced as a Oltrepò Pavese Barbera DOC. Now an example of one of these Barbera wines.

Tenuta Travaglino, Barbera Campo Dei Ciliegi Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2018

Tenuta Travaglino, Barbera Campo Dei Ciliegi Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2018 © Spaswinefood

Oltrepò Pavese red wines (Rosso) are produced from a blend of Croatina (25-65%), Barbera (25-65%) and other varietials (Uva Rara, Ughetta and Pinot Nero) to maximum of 45%. These wines are produced as a Oltrepò Pavese Rosso DOC.

Oltrepò Pavese Rosso DOC

Tenuta Travaglino, Mercantonio Oltrepò Pavese Rosso Riserva DOC 2019

Tenuta Travaglino, Mercantonio Oltrepò Pavese Rosso Riserva DOC 2019 © Spaswinefood

We appreciated tasting and learning about all of the above wines. It also great to have the opportunity to meet more wine producers. Amongst our winery producers that evening was Cristina Cerri Comi from Tenuta Travaglino. Ms Comi is fifth generation of the Comi family to manage the family winery.

Thank you Tenuta Travaglino © Spaswinefood

Of course there was dessert to end the evening.

Ending on a Sweet Note, Il Feudo Nico © Spaswinefood

Thanks Oltrepò Pavese for those wonderful wine conversations. We left the Oltrepò Pavese wine region with stunning visual images etched into our wine travel memories.

Oltrepò Pavese to the Alps, Castello di Stefanago © Spaswinefood

Towns of Oltrepò Pavese © Spaswinefood

Thank you Oltrepò Pavese for our vine-filled days with wine producers who treated us so well during our wine media trip

. Also, special thanks to our dinner hosts (

Agritourismo La Colombina, and Il Feudo Nico)

. It was an early October day when

 we crossed the Po River, and arrived this very special place. As guests of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Oltrepò Pavese, Pavia Province we had come to discover this region's wines. After completing the winery visits, and dining with the producers we can easily say 

Oltrepò Pavese is one of Italy's best kept secrets. We were impressed by the charm of Oltrepò Pavese towns, its wineries, and its wines. We so look forward to sharing more on future vine-filled explorations in Lombardy's Oltrepò Pavese. We invite you to join us in our wine travels in Italy at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. 

CHEERS!

Sharon & John

October 2022

Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardy 

© Spaswinefood

Thank You Il Feudo © Spaswinefood

Thank You Agritourismo La Colombina - I Doria Di Montalto © Spaswinefood

Thanks 

Oltrepò Pavese 

for Our Post-Conference #WMC22 Visit © Spaswinefood

Conte Vistarino, Tenuta di Rocca De' Giorgi sets high benchmarks for its wines

Gathering around the wine table at Conte Vistarino, Tenuta di Rocca De' Giorgi brought us together to discover what is so special about this winery. It would be our last winery stop as guests of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Oltrepò Pavese, Pavia Province, Lombardy. We had come to discover Oltrepò Pavese's wines. Each winery we visited offered something unique, and this was certainly the case with Conte Vistarino winery. This is a winery that not only sets high benchmarks for its wines but it is also well on the way to achieving them. 

Tasting Room, Conte Vistarino © Spaswinefood

Welcome to Conte Vistarino

We arrived at Conte Vistarino, Tenuta di Rocca De' Giorgi just before day's end. Upon arrival we were greeted by the winery team.

Welcome to Conte Vistarino © Spaswinefood

Soon we were taking a quick tour of this modern state of the art winery.

Tank Room, Conte Vistarino © Spaswinefood

The winery is quipped with cutting-edge equipment and high-tech machinery. The gravity-flow winery design allows for high-quality wines to be produced. Here innovative winemaking best showcases the purity of the grapes. While it was impressive to tour this modern state-of-the-art winery however, what I appreciated knowing was the care they put into making their wines.

Wine Moments, Conte Vistarino © Spaswinefood

Barrel Room, Conte Vistarino © Spaswinefood

After the tour we headed to the tasting room.

Tasting Room, Conte Vistarino © Spaswinefood

Later we were gathered around the tasting room table ready to explore their wines

Wine Tasting, Conte Vistarino © Spaswinefood

The Giorgi di Vistarino Family, since the mid-15th century has owned a large agricultural estate in the Rocca de’ Giorgi municipality of Oltrepò Pavese. Throughout the estate’s history the link between viticulture and terroir has been maintained, and as well they focused on preserving the landscape and wildlife. In 1850, Count Augusto Giorgi was the first person to plant Pinot Noir in the Oltrepò, later giving rise to Oltrepò Pavese’s great sparkling wine tradition. From the beginning to the current generation, Ottavia Giorgi di Vistarino, the wine estate's vision remains the same: to better interpret the noble grape variety (Pinot Noir) by pursuing the highest quality while respecting the territory and its vocation.

This is a large estate of hectares, with hectares under vine. During our visit I viewed a model of the vineyards.

Model of Conte Vistarino Vineyards © Spaswinefood

In the 1990s Ottavia's father, Carlo Giorgi di Vistarino, introduced new Pinot Nero rootstocks and clones. These were carefully selected for red wine vinification, and precise production characteristics. During the last 25 years, after careful evaluation of the individual plots, more than half of the vineyards have been replanted. Major changes in both the vineyard and winery has resulted in the production of high quality wines.

Wine Tasting at Conte Vistarino 

We were first introduced to their sparkling wines.

Conte Vistarino, Saignée della Rocca in the Glass © Spaswinefood

Conte Vistarino, Saignée della Rocca, Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Pinot Nero DOCG Extra Brut

 Saignée della Rocca Pinot Nero Extra Brut © Spaswinefood

Conte Vistarino, Pinot Nero 1865 Pas Dosè

Conte Vistarino, Pinot Nero 1865 Pas Dosè © Spaswinefood

Conte Vistarino, Pinot Nero 1865 Pas Dosè © Spaswinefood

These were amazing sparkling wines. Not only are bubbles enticing but so are these wines.

Conte Vistarino, Ries Riesling IGT 2017 

Conte Vistarino, Ries Riesling IGT 2017 © Spaswinefood

Conte Vistarino © Spaswinefood

Oltrepò Pavese Riesling is getting attention on the world wine stage. Since I did taste only one Conte Vistarino Ries Riesling I need further research this ongoing project. 

Tasting Conte Vistarino Wines © Spaswinefood

After the sparkling wines and riesling we were introduced to their Pinot Nero wines.  In 2009 Vistarino began a Pinot Noir crus project. The first was Pernice (2010), followed by Bertone and Tavernetto (since 2013), which today is part of the Conte Vistarino collection, in addition to their prestigious sparkling wine production.

Pinot Nero Della’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC 

We began with a 2020 Pinot Nero. 

Conte Vistarino, Costa del Nero Dell"Oltrepo Pavese DOC 2020 © Spaswinefood

This was followed by three 2018 Conte Vistarino, Tenuta di Rocca De' Giorgi Pinot Nero wines, from three different vineyards.

Conte Vistarino, Bertone Pinot Nero 2018

Conte Vistarino, Bertone Pinot Nero 2018 © Spaswinefood

Conte Vistarino, Tavernetto Pinot Nero 2018

Conte Vistarino, Tavernetto Pinot Nero 2018 © Spaswinefood

 Tavernetto Pinot Nero 2018 © Spaswinefood

Conte Vistarino, Pernice Pinot Nero 2018

Conte Vistarino, Pernice Pinot Nero 2018 © Spaswinefood

The tasting of these three 2018 Pinot Nero wines was the perfect finale for our winery visit.

Conte Vistarino, 2018 Pinot Nero Wines © Spaswinefood

These three vineyards (Bertone, Tavernetto and Pernice) are small plots on different sides of the valley, between 350-400 meters above sea level. Pernice vineyard faces south-southeast, while Bertone and Tavernetto vineyards face south-southwest. Their soils are not homogeneous. They have a calcareous-clay base, with a variable percentage of sand and silt. Clearly, this winery produces top tier Pinot Nero still wines. These three 2018 Pinot Nero wines, from three different vineyards, which we tasted at Conte Vistarino, Tenuta di Rocca De' Giorgi were fabulous.

Conte Vistarino, Pinot Nero Pernice Della’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2018 Wines © Spaswinefood

During our Oltrepò Pavese visit often over cheese and meat platters, we were introduced to many excellent wines. Such was the case at Conte Vistarino, Tenuta di Rocca De' Giorgi. Their  Pinot Nero Della’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2018 wines, and the sparkling wines that I tasted were top tier.

Time for Cheese, Conte Vistarino © Spaswinefood

Meat Platter, Conte Vistarino © Spaswinefood

Oltrepò Pavese's Conte Vistarino, Tenuta di Rocca De' Giorgi tops the wine list. In conclusion, these Conte Vistarino wines are top tier world class wines. I so look forward to sharing more on my future vine-filled explorations in Lombardy's Oltrepò Pavese. I invite you to join me in our wine travels in Italy at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. 

CHEERS!

Sharon

October 2022

Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardy 

© Spaswinefood

 Conte Vistarino, Tenuta di Rocca De' Giorgi, Oltrepò Pavese © Spaswinefood

Post-Conference #WMC22 , Oltrepò Pavese © Spaswinefood