From Harley-Davidson to winemaker in Piedmont
– Most people inherit this profession. I chose it myself
These are the words of Paolo Padovani. For 15 years he ran Cascina Verdevios (then called Cascina Nuova), before selling the farm to Marit and Jakob two years ago. Now he manages the vineyards for them.
– Planting a grapevine is like raising a child. You work with a living thing, one year at a time, he says.
His journey here is quite remarkable. For ten years he ran his own Harley-Davidson shop in Genoa — until a motorcycle trip brought him to Nizza Monferrato, an encounter that would change his life.
– "When I saw Nizza for the first time, I felt something. It was peaceful, little traffic, and I could live a calm life. The thought of living here took root. After three years I made a deal with a seller, and in 2010 I bought what was then called Cascina Nuova."
Starting from scratch
Going from selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles to growing wine was no easy transition. But with good help, Paolo managed to create a product he was proud of.
"The previous owner, Roberto, set aside every weekend to teach me the trade. He became a very important friend and mentor to me. Over time the business grew too. I started with 3,000 bottles in 2011, and by 2015 we were producing 12,000 bottles."
Going against the current
Paolo also made a choice that was highly unconventional in Italy. Most farmers prefer industrial machinery and cultivate the land mechanically. They would argue that organic farming is simply impractical. Paolo, however, chose to convert the entire operation to organic.
"It was about a moral principle. Planting a grapevine is like raising a child. It takes 3 years from planting until the grapes can be used, and 5 years before you can make wine from them. Just like a child, a good grape needs a genuine environment around it in order to thrive," he says.
A true passionista
Two years ago, Paolo went through a difficult divorce, which forced him to sell the farm. He had offers from several Americans, but ultimately chose to sell to two organic farmers from Inderøy, Norway.
– "I had built this farm by sweating from five in the morning until late at night. I wanted someone who could take care of my work. The first buyers wanted to run the farm as a business. But with Jakob, I felt we shared a passion for wine and organic farming."
A shared philosophy
Their shared vision made Paolo the farm manager. He runs the property for Jakob and Marit while they are in Norway. Where Cascina Verdevios differs from Cascina Nuova is in running rental and Airbnb operations — but the philosophy around wine remains the same.
– "The area around Cascina Verdevios is very special. The natural elevation creates a good relationship between climate, soil, and terrain. The height of 350 meters is well suited for growing good wine. On top of that, we do everything by hand except for the tractor work. This is also important, because I believe good wine should be a craft, not mass industrial production. We prioritize fewer bottles of high quality rather than the opposite," he says.
For a man who has traveled and worked at large car factories in Rome, London, Genoa, Germany, and elsewhere, he has truly found his place. As he says himself, he is a true "passionista."
– "There are three values that matter to me: determination, hard work, and resilience. Most wine producers inherit this profession, but I'm fortunate enough to have chosen it myself."
