GENISIA AND ITS CLASSESE DEBUT AT VINITALY 2026

Names matter, especially when they tell the story of a territory.

With the new DOCG Oltrepò Pavese regulations, Classese officially becomes the name for the area's Classic Method sparkling wine, bringing a historic name from local tradition back to the forefront. For La Genisia, this is a significant step, helping to more precisely define the profile of the Classic Method , which has always been a central element of the Oltrepò Pavese identity .

The new denomination makes its official presentation at Vinitaly, where La Genisia is participating for the first time from 12 to 15 April (Hall PALAEXPO - Stand: B12; Desk: 12), under the umbrella of the Oltrepò Consortium.

Classese thus establishes itself as a reference for wines born from the profound bond between Oltrepò Pavese – the main Italian area for Pinot Noir, which includes over 70 percent of Lombardy's vineyards dedicated to this variety – and Pinot Noir , a vision that has guided La Genisia's path since its inception.

A central role in this journey has been played by the work carried out together with the Consortium: " At La Genisia, we have always worked with the goal of producing high-quality Metodo Classico, convinced that this typology represents the most identifying expression of our territory. At the heart of this journey is Pinot Noir, a key grape variety for Oltrepò sparkling wines, in which we have chosen to invest decisively ," comments Matteo Ghiara , president of La Genisia.

" The Classese project ," he continues, " is moving precisely in this direction: on the one hand, it introduces more rigorous regulations aimed at further raising quality standards, and on the other, it builds a clear and recognizable identity on the market for the Oltrepò Pavese Classic Method. This is an important step, which enhances the producers' work and strengthens the region's positioning. We are therefore fully aligned and proud to support this project ."

For the first time, Cantina La Genisia is bringing some of its Classese wines to Vinitaly, typically available in blanc de noirs and rosé de noirs versions, characterised by elegance, freshness and a clear mineral imprint, with a fine and persistent perlage that enhances the Pinot Noir from these hills: Pinot Noir DOCG Brut, Pinot Noir DOCG Extra Brut, Pinot Noir Rosé DOCG Brut .

The name Classese comes from the union of the words Classico and Pavese and was introduced in the 1980s by a group of producers with the aim of clearly and distinctively identifying the Classic Method of the area, distinguishing it from other denominations and at the same time guaranteeing shared quality rules .

At the base of the Classese is Pinot Noir , a vine that has enjoyed a particularly favourable habitat here since the nineteenth century, when the first cultivation attempts demonstrated that these lands had characteristics similar to those of France.

Today Classese is identified as a Classic Method that decisively focuses on quality : the ampelographic base requires at least 85% Pinot Noir , with manual harvesting of the grapes and production concentrated on the hillside vineyards ; the specifications also establish a minimum refinement on the lees of 24 months, which rises to 36 for the vintage wines and 48 for the reserves .

In recent years, the project has undergone a new phase of revitalization. In 2025, the Oltrepò Pavese Consortium assembly approved a revision of the regulations and began the process to transform the current denomination into Classese DOCG , officially recognizing the historical and identity-building value of this name.

The winery's presence at the fair is therefore symbolic of a broad journey of shared vision and promotion of a production style rooted in the winemaking history of the Oltrepò Pavese.