Wine and Food Road of the Oltrepò Pavese

The Oltrepò Pavese is one of the most tourist-focused and welcoming areas in the province of Pavia. It is steeped in history and in its rolling hills we find health spas, castles, great wines, traditional flavours and unblemished nature.

South of the River Po, the Oltrepò Pavese extends over a surface area of 1,100 km2 and comprises 78 communes. It has a pleasantly varied landscape, the part near the Po River is flat with fertile and clayey soils of alluvial origin. Just beyond are the gently undulating hills composed of sedimentary rocks, where vines cover an area of 16,000 hectares, interrupted only occasionally by acacia and oak woods. The area enjoys a mild climate thanks to the currents of air blowing in from Liguria, which ensure mild summers and a constant breeze.

The Oltrepò Pavese is a land of castles that reflects its complex and rich feudal history. To name only a few, there are castles at Montalto Pavese, Nazzano, Oramala and Zavattarello. Prominence is also given to music from the four bordering provinces, with the Appenino pipe (bagpipes with only one drone pipe) and the accordion traditionally played.

From Voghera, the main geographical town of the Oltrepò Pavese, one can easily reach important towns such as Castegggio, with its quaint old town and the Certosa Cantù, medieval Broni, Stradella with its crenelated tower, the neoclassical Duomo and famous accordion museum. Then there is Varzi, nestled in the hills of the upper Valle Staffora, and Salice Terme, famous for its spa waters and, well known throughout Italy, for its spa treatments.

Vine growing is one of the prime agricultural activities in the area. In fact, the Oltrepò Pavese boasts a rich production of DOC and DOCG wines. Wine lovers mustn’t forget to taste Oltrepo Metodo Classico DOCG, Oltrepo Cruase DOCG, Oltrepo Pavese DOC Pinot Nero / Riesling / Bonarda /Barbera / Buttafuoco / Rosso / Sangue di Giuda/Malvasia/Moscato and Provincia di Pavia IGT. They are a great accompaniment to any of the regional cheeses, such as Caprini, Formaggella di Menconico, Nisso dell’Oltrepo or the traditional dish that visitors must taste here, rice (risotto) with pepperoni.

To get there by car: A21 motorway from Turin and from Brescia; exits: Voghera, Casteggio-Casatisma, Broni-Stradella; A7 motorway, exit: Casei Gerola; from Milan Strada Statale (main road) for Pavia. By train: FS Voghera-Piacenza.