Classese becomes the official appellation for the Metodo Classico of Oltrepò Pavese, the result of a journey in which La Genisia strongly recognises itself
First participation of the winery from Codevilla at the Verona trade fair
April 8, 2026 (Codevilla, Italy) — Names matter, especially when they tell the story of a place.
With the updated Oltrepò Pavese DOCG regulations, Classese is now officially recognised as the appellation for the Metodo Classico sparkling wine of the area, restoring centrality to a historic term rooted in local tradition. For La Genisia, a winery established in 2020 from a project by the Torrevilla Group, this is a significant milestone, one that helps to define more precisely the identity of Metodo Classico, which has always been a cornerstone of the Oltrepò Pavese winemaking heritage.
The new appellation will receive its official presentation at the upcoming Vinitaly from 12 to 15 April, where La Genisia will take part for the first time (Hall PALAEXPO, Stand B12, Desk 12), under the umbrella of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Oltrepò Pavese.
Classese thus establishes itself as a reference point for wines born from the deep bond between the Oltrepò Pavese, Italy’s leading Pinot Noir region with more than seventy per cent of Lombardy’s vineyards dedicated to the variety, and the grape itself. This vision has guided La Genisia since its foundation.
A central role in this journey has been played by the work carried out alongside the Consortium. “At La Genisia we have always aimed to produce high quality Metodo Classico, convinced that this style expresses the most authentic identity of our area. At the heart of this approach lies Pinot Noir, the key grape for sparkling wine production in the Oltrepò, in which we have chosen to invest decisively,” explains President Matteo Ghiara.
“The Classese project moves precisely in this direction. On the one hand, it introduces more rigorous production rules designed to raise quality standards even further. On the other, it offers a clear and recognisable identity for the Metodo Classico of Oltrepò Pavese in the market. It is an important step that highlights the work of producers and strengthens the positioning of the area. We are therefore fully aligned with and proud to support this project.”
For the first time, La Genisia will bring to Vinitaly several expressions of its Classese, typically produced in blanc de noirs and rosé de noirs styles. These wines are characterized by elegance, freshness and a distinct mineral imprint, with a fine and persistent perlage that enhances the qualities of Pinot Noir from these hills. The wines presented will include Pinot Nero D.O.C.G. Brut, Pinot Nero D.O.C.G. Extra Brut and Pinot Nero Rosé D.O.C.G. Brut.
The name Classese comes from the combination of the words Classico and Pavese. It was introduced in the 1980s by a group of producers with the aim of identifying the Metodo Classico of the area in a clear and distinctive way, differentiating it from other appellations while ensuring shared and consistent quality rules.
At the heart of Classese lies Pinot Noir, a grape that has thrived here since the nineteenth century, when early trials showed how suitable the local environment was, echoing characteristics found in celebrated European regions.
Today, Classese is defined as a Metodo Classico focused firmly on quality. The regulations require a minimum of 85% Pinot Noir, manual harvesting and production centred on hillside vineyards. They also establish a minimum lees ageing of 24 months, rising to 36 months for vintage wines and 48 months for riserva wines.
In recent years the project has experienced a renewed momentum. In 2025 the assembly of the Oltrepò Pavese Consortium approved a revision of the production rules and initiated the procedure to elevate the current designation to Classese DOCG, formally recognising the historical and cultural significance of this name.
The winery’s presence at the fair therefore symbolises a broader path of shared vision and recognition of a production style deeply rooted in the long winemaking tradition of the Oltrepò Pavese.
