Cascina Gnocco was founded in 1923, when the great-great-grandfather
of current owner Domenico Cuneo purchased vineyards in the commune
of Torricella Verzate, in the Oltrepò Pavese, near Mornico Losana, where
the wine estate has its headquarters today. The winery, still family-run,
has grown considerably over the years, and sales of its wines, limited to
Italy since the 1980s, are now international in scope. Vineyards cover 15
hectares, with two of those dedicated to mornasca, an ancient variety
that was always present in the estate vineyards but which was identified
only recently. Known more commonly to locals as Ügò ad Murnig (Uva di
Mornico), this grape yields Orione, a very distinctive and impressive wine
that faithfully reflects its terroir of origin.
The development of Orione inspired a completely new approach to winemaking at Cascina Gnocco, leading to a focus on just a few classic local
varieties, coaxing out from them their finest qualities. In addition to
Orione, that attention has yielded a Classic Method rosé, also from mornasca, plus the traditional Bonarda.