At a recent tasting of Conte Vistarino wines, winery director Ottavia Giorgi di Vistarino said that a combination of cool climate and calcareous soils ensured that Pinot Noir “thrived” in the region. “Northern Italy is such a great terroir for Pinot Noir, because of the cool climate,” said di Vistarino.

“Yet Pinot Noir is not new in Oltrepò, we have a very long history. However, its reputation was until recently largely unknown. But, thanks to the new generation’s aim for quality, we are gradually being discovered as a new terroir with a very important past and a probable good future. “