I first heard about wines from Oltrepò Pavese many years ago through a friend. He was obsessed with a winery called Mazzolino. At the time, I was not sure which winery he was speaking about. It was 1997 and I was taking my very first Italian wine class in Milan.

Francesca Seralvo, who runs Mazzolino now, following in the footsteps of her family members, is also the new President of the Oltrepò Pavese Wine Consortium. The news was announced a couple of weeks ago.

Francesca is one of a number of women in Oltrepò Pavese who is at the top of their companies and the top of their game. It’s exciting to see her start her term as Consortium President.

Mazzolino is a very known and historic estate. The Braggiotti family bought the Mazzolino Estate in 1980, They have thirty hectares of land in the hills, twenty of which are vineyards. They grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Croatina, and Moscato. With a favorable microclimate, clay and slightly calcareous soils, northeast and northwest exposure for their vineyards which are on hill sides, Mazzolino has it all. They also have low yields per hectare and naturally grassing over the vineyards. With severe pruning and the absence of chemical fertilizers in the vineyard, the grapes are in good shape when brought in.

Mazzolino was everything my friend mentioned I discovered and so is the region in general. It’s time to go discover it on your own terms but a friend’s recommendation always helps.

The wine was made with whole berry fermentation and maceration. The wine then ages in French oak for 12 months.

Deep ruby red with berries and spice, bramble and forest floor on the nose. On the palate, the wine was layered with silky tannins, good acidity and integrated alcohol. Flavors of berries, oak, and spice with an elegant long finish.