Oltrepň
Pavese is a triangle of land located in Lombardy and wedged
between the Liguria, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont regions, which forms
the northern end of the Appennini mountains. Due to the region's strategic
location, in the past centuries it was crossed by people moving throughout
the Padana plains and by pilgrims travelling to Rome. The ancient 'Salt
Roads' also run through it.
Canneto Pavese is a small
town, traditionally renowned for wine production, which until recently
could boast the highest ratio of vineyards per total land area in Italy.
During the XIX century, its full-bodied wines quickly gained a national
reputation for their excellence and were also successfully exported worldwide,
their preservation being ensured by their high alcoholic content. In the
second half of the XX century, the increasing demand for low-cost wines
led winemakers to abandon many of the best vineyards, whose care was difficult
and expensive because of their position. So, great vineyards such as Monte
Bruciato, Montuč and Solinga remained sadly ignored for years. Only recently,
a host of young wine-growers, inspired by a true love for their land,
brought them to life again.
The Picchioni Andrea Winery
is a small plot of land, approximately seven hectares, located in the
Solinga valley. The vineyards grow on a south-exposed steep sloping hillside,
on sandy and pebbled soil. The endless summer days bless the grapes with
all the energy they need for a full ripening: the vine struggles in the
light and the heat for every single drop of water.
