Edoardo Freddi International is delighted to announce the beginning of its collaboration with Conte Vistarino, a historic winery from Oltrepò Pavese whose story is intrinsically linked to the development and appreciation of Pinot Noir in Italy.
In the heart of Oltrepò Pavese, in Rocca de’ Giorgi, lies an estate with a remarkable history and a unique connection to one of the world’s most noble grape varieties. For more than 170 years, Conte Vistarino has built its identity around Pinot Noir, combining a pioneering spirit with a profound respect for its territory and its viticultural heritage.
A pioneering vision since 1850
The story of Conte Vistarino’s Pinot Noir began in 1850, when Count Augusto Giorgi di Vistarino imported Pinot Noir shoots directly from France and planted them at the family estate.
This pioneering decision played a fundamental role in establishing Pinot Noir as one of the defining varieties of Oltrepò Pavese and laid the foundations for the area’s renowned sparkling wine tradition.
The family has continued this vocation across generations, constantly working to enhance the variety while respecting the natural characteristics of the land.
The pioneering spirit of Count Augusto also extended to winemaking: in 1865, Conte Vistarino became the first winery in Italy to produce wine using the Classic Method, further strengthening its connection with the origins of Italian sparkling wine.
A unique estate shaped by biodiversity
Today, the Conte Vistarino estate covers 826 hectares, including vineyards, extensive woodland and agricultural areas. Around 102 hectares are planted with vines, while 65 hectares are dedicated to Pinot Noir, making the variety the undisputed protagonist of the estate.
The landscape surrounding Rocca de’ Giorgi is characterised by a natural alternation of vineyards, woodland and meadows. Approximately one third of the estate is covered by woodland, creating a rich ecosystem where biodiversity plays a central role.
This approach is reflected in the way the estate is managed, with a commitment to avoiding intensive agriculture, limiting soil disturbance and keeping the use of chemical fertilisers to a minimum. Even the winery itself was designed with respect for its surroundings, adapting an existing historic agricultural structure rather than building an entirely new facility.
Pinot Noir at the heart of the identity
For Conte Vistarino, Pinot Noir is more than a grape variety: it is the defining thread running through the estate’s history and its contemporary vision.
The wines range from Classic Method and Charmat sparkling wines to still reds, whites and rosés, offering different interpretations of the estate’s terroir while maintaining a strong sense of identity.
The modern winery, completely renovated in 2017, was designed to translate the work carried out in the vineyards with greater precision, allowing the different micro-terroirs of the estate to be expressed with clarity. Spread over four levels and covering 3,300 square metres, the winery is designed so that grapes and wine move through the production process entirely by gravity.
At the centre of the estate stands Villa Fornace, built in the 18th century on the foundations of an ancient kiln. Together with its historic park, museum and wine shop, it represents the meeting point between Conte Vistarino’s centuries-old heritage and its contemporary identity.
A new chapter on the international stage
The beginning of the collaboration between Conte Vistarino and Edoardo Freddi International brings together two complementary visions: a winery with an extraordinary territorial identity and a long-standing international specialist in the development of Italian wine brands across global markets.
The partnership aims to support Conte Vistarino’s international development, bringing the story of the House of Pinot Noir to new markets, partners and wine lovers around the world.
For EFI, welcoming Conte Vistarino means adding to its portfolio a winery whose history reflects a fundamental chapter in the story of Italian Pinot Noir — a story built on pioneering spirit, family heritage, biodiversity and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
A story that began with a handful of Pinot Noir shoots in 1850. Today, a new chapter begins.
