La Genisia
There is an Oltrepò eager to tell its story, to break free from old clichés, to rewrite its own future. An Oltrepò that chooses to believe in its land and its people, without compromise.
La Genisia was born from a clear intuition: to enhance an extraordinary, often underestimated area, starting from a wine concept that is authentic, coherent, and deeply rooted in its origins.
We are in Codevilla, in the province of Pavia. The hills roll gently like soft, silent waves, dotted with vineyards, orderly rows, woods, and green glimpses that surprise at every turn. Here, in this still authentic corner of Lombardy, lies La Genisia, a new branch and soul of the Torrevilla group.
But calling it a “winery” would be reductive. La Genisia is a project, an idea, a system of shared values. It is the fruit of a rare, genuine teamwork, made up of men and women who believe in their land above all else.
A team, a vision
“The people make the difference.”
How many times have we heard that? But here, it’s not a slogan: it’s reality.
At La Genisia, every person has a precise role, their voice, and an identity that blends into a shared vision, starting with Simone, the winemaker. This quiet and passionate guide personally oversees every phase with humanity and expertise, from the vineyard to the bottle. Alongside him are Lorena, head of hospitality and events, a warm and attentive presence, and all the internal collaborators. However, the beating heart of La Genisia is the 20 growers who contribute daily with passion and commitment; together, they manage around 70 hectares of vineyards.
The vines are painstakingly cultivated using the Guyot training system, perfectly adapted to the 250-300 meter altitude and the typical slopes of the Oltrepò Pavese hills.
This synergy is based on a simple but powerful principle: the strength of unity. In an era when many chase individual success, La Genisia has chosen to build a collective identity, founded on listening, sharing, and a sense of place.
Beyond sustainability: biodiversity, technology, zoning
One of the most fascinating aspects of the project is its choice to invest in the territory, not only in productive terms but also environmentally and scientifically.
All the growers adhere to a shared protocol that respects biodiversity, protects the landscape, and enhances the unique traits of each parcel. And this is not just a catchphrase or marketing slogan: in collaboration with the University of Milan, La Genisia has launched an ambitious zoning project.
Weather stations have been installed, and data on microclimates, soils, and exposures have been collected. Every vineyard is studied as a small universe unto itself. The goal is to know every plot consciously, respecting its soul, to produce wines that are not just good, but proper and consistent.
The intelligent use of technology also plays a crucial role in this approach. Thanks to augmented reality, visitors can “enter” the vineyards, explore their characteristics, hear directly from Simone, and discover curiosities and details invisible to the naked eye. Wine thus becomes an experience, a journey, an immersive story.
Augmented and Virtual Reality: The Immersive Experience of La Genisia
La Genisia experiments with an innovative technology called “VR Wine La Genisia,” a virtual reality experience that transports the user into an immersive 3D environment. Through dedicated headsets, visitors can virtually explore the vast Oltrepò Pavese vineyards and the winemaking spaces. Guided by the winery’s experts, users can choose where to look, actively interact, and discover the story behind every single bottle. A unique way to experience the land and the wine, even remotely, with a multisensory engagement.
The wine tower
There is one detail that makes a visit to La Genisia even more fascinating: the presence of one of the last remaining gravity-fed wine towers in Italy. An engineering masterpiece designed in the 19th century by the winemaker Emilio Sernagiotto, conceived to use gravity in the winemaking process. A way to work the wine gently, naturally, even back then. It’s as if the winery speaks two languages simultaneously: that of innovation and that of intelligent tradition.
The wines
La Genisia’s range is not broad, and that is a conscious choice.
Each label is born from a precise reflection: what story can best be told by that vineyard, that soil, that vintage?
There are no compromises. They don’t produce for the market — they produce for the land. And today, that is an act of courage.
At the core of the production is Pinot Noir, the undisputed lord of Oltrepò, expressed mainly through Metodo Classico. Wines of great freshness, elegant structure, lively acidity, and distinctive minerality. Each bottle is the child of a precise place, an agronomic choice, and a stylistic vision.
“Through our wines, we let the terroir speak and we let the grape variety express itself fully,” explains winemaker Simone Fiori. “Certainly, Pinot Noir is a unique vine which, through our work in the winery, we try to enhance to the fullest. We soften the edginess of this variety, obtaining delicious, charming, but always authentic wines that truly represent both the variety and the terroir.”
La Genisia doesn’t seek effect, but balance.
Authentic Hospitality
Visiting La Genisia is not just “a tasting.” It is a living experience.
Thanks to Lorena and her team, you will be welcomed in a warm and professional atmosphere. You will be told the story, the wines will be explained, and the doors to the project will be opened. And if you wish, you can also lose yourself among hills and vineyards, enjoying the peace and scents of a still, sincere land.
La Genisia also aims to introduce its wines by introducing the territory of Oltrepò Pavese. That’s why a tasting at La Genisia is never just a tasting. You can choose between horseback and e-bike tours to explore the hills and vineyards.
I experienced the e-bike tour myself and highly recommend it.
At every bend, a new fragrance; at every climb, a view that rewards the effort. And why not, taking a nice photo at the big bench in Retorbido wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
A project looking forward
La Genisia is much more than a winery. It is a symbol of a possible rebirth for the Oltrepò Pavese.
A place where weaknesses turn into strengths, where territorial identity is central, and technology doesn’t intimidate but supports.
It’s a project that begins with wine but extends far beyond: towards a new narrative, truer, stronger, and ultimately more aware.
This is demonstrated, as the final step of our journey into the heart of Oltrepò Pavese, by the fact that La Genisia has founded a portal dedicated to the territory and the wineries that populate it. La Genisia becomes the voice of all, fearless, with one clear idea in mind: the team wins.
Visit this portal to organize your visit to Oltrepò Pavese. www.oltrepopavese.com
My favourite wine
Centodieci Nature Metodo Classico DOCG
The wine that impressed me the most is Centodieci. Made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes from vineyards at about 350-400 meters above sea level. In these vineyards, the soils contain a significant amount of limestone, perceptible on the palate through a distinct sapidity.
This wine is like having an elegant friend over for dinner — a friend who will make you shine, yet not everyone will fully appreciate. It’s a companion for the discerning few, for those patient enough to wait.
If you choose to enjoy it right away, it will certainly be a memorable experience. But if you decide to give it time — to rest in your cellar for a year or so — you’ll discover its true depth and evolution. In short, this is a wine that reveals new layers to different palates.
