Discovering the villages of Val Versa: vineyards, history and authenticity

There are places in the Oltrepò Pavese where the landscape is not just a backdrop, but becomes part of the experience. Val Versa is one of them. A gentle valley shaped by rolling hills covered in vineyards, small hilltop villages and scenic roads that seem made to be explored slowly.

Located in the heart of the Oltrepò, Val Versa stretches along the stream of the same name and is defined by a strong winemaking vocation, with a rich concentration of historic villages that tell centuries of rural life and wine tradition.

Santa Maria della Versa is the ideal starting point. Set in the valley floor, this village is the winemaking centre of the area and is considered a true capital of Oltrepò Pavese sparkling wine.

Everything here revolves around wine: from historic wineries to distilleries, as well as local food specialities. It is the perfect place to begin an itinerary of tastings, traditions and landscapes.

At the same time, it is a village with deep roots: as early as the Middle Ages, it was an important centre linked to feudal estates and noble families that shaped the valley’s history.

Climbing up through the hills, you reach Golferenzo, one of the most charming villages in the entire Oltrepò. Listed among Italy’s most beautiful villages, it preserves an authentic soul made of stone, silence and sweeping vineyard views.

Here, time truly seems to slow down: narrow streets, scenic viewpoints and a daily life that still follows rhythms far removed from mass tourism. Walking through its lanes means stepping into a suspended atmosphere where tradition and landscape blend perfectly.

Continuing along the valley, you arrive in Volpara, a small hilltop village with a strong rural identity. Its origins are ancient, dating back to around the year 1000, when the area was already organised into feudal settlements.

Today, Volpara is best known for its Moscato wine, one of the valley’s iconic products, but also for its landscape: orderly hills, endless vineyards and an authentic atmosphere that reflects the agricultural heritage of the area.

In the upper part of the valley lie villages such as Montecalvo Versiggia and Canevino, small centres surrounded by vineyards where the identity of the Oltrepò is still deeply rooted.

This area represents the most authentic side of Val Versa: less touristic, quieter, but precisely for this reason capable of offering a genuine experience shaped by nature, tradition and a slower pace of life.

Val Versa is not a destination to rush through. It is a valley to explore at your own pace, whether by car, by bike, or by stopping along the way between wineries and villages.

Here, tourism is made of details:

• a view over the vineyard rows
• a winding road climbing the hills
• a quiet village square
• a glass of wine at sunset

It is this unique blend of landscape, history and authenticity that makes Val Versa one of the most fascinating areas of the Oltrepò Pavese, able to express the true soul of the territory.

If you are looking for a place where you can reconnect with slower rhythms, simple beauty and a deep bond with the land, Val Versa is the perfect choice.

It is not just a valley: it is a journey into the most authentic soul of the Oltrepò.