The Oltrepò Pavese (The Old Piedmont) is smothered in vineyards, furrowed with streams and rivlets, where villages, churches and hamlets appear amongst the hills displaying a dancing array of colours, geographical features comparable only to those of Champagne and Burgundy.
45° Parallel ‘half way between the North Pole and the Equator’ as professed along the roads leading to the scenic hills. Here the harvest lasts longer than any other area of Italy, beginning with Pinot Nero for sparkling, then the red grapes such as Barbera and Croatina (the grapes used for the popular Bonarda). Pinot Nero, which is used for sparkling and also to produce important red wines for aging, plays the leading role.
Oltrepò Pavese: land of ancient winemaking tradition where the hills touch the sky, the air is fresh and light and in the grape harvest has the must fragrance of the wines.