Celebrating Innovation and Heritage in Winemaking
In 2025, Pasqua Wines, a celebrated winery based in Verona, marks its monumental 100-year anniversary. This historic milestone is punctuated by their participation in the prestigious Vinitaly 2025, where they hosted an exclusive seminar titled "Multi-Vintage Blends as the Past and Future of Wine". The event attracted wine enthusiasts and industry experts alike, eager to explore the nuances of crafting exceptional wines that transcend single vintage offerings.
The seminar took place from April 6-9, 2025, at the 57th edition of Vinitaly, where it served as a poignant reflection of Pasqua's commitment to innovation within the winemaking craft. Presented by the acclaimed wine educator Filippo Bartolotta, the seminar featured Riccardo Pasqua, the winery's CEO, and notable industry figures such as Robert Joseph, a prominent journalist and co-owner of K'AVSHIRI, as panelists. Together, they delved into the sophisticated world of multi-vintage wines, a concept that bridges the past and future of winemaking.
The Art of Multi-Vintage Blending
Multi-vintage blending is traditionally linked to sparkling wines, particularly Champagne, but its practice within still wines is more uncommon. This seminar provided an extraordinary opportunity for participants to experience and appreciate standout examples of multi-vintage blends from various regions across the globe. The discussion brought together insights from leading winemakers including Gonzalo Iturriga de Juan of Vega Sicilia, Brett Jackson from Valdivieso, and Chris Howell from Cain Vineyard and Winery.
Insights into Wine Crafting
During the seminar, the panelists shared their experiences on how to create harmoniously blended wines that not only express the terroir effectively but also enhance aging potentials. Each wine producer elaborated on the origins of their multi-vintage blends, detailing how this approach influences the final product and reflects the underlying landscape.
Highlighting Pasqua's own pioneering contribution to this methodology, the winery showcased its signature creation,
"Hey French You Could Have Made This But You Didn’t" — recognized as Italy's first multi-vintage white wine. Lauded for its groundbreaking essence, this blend is composed of predominantly Garganega grapes, renowned for their bright acidity and aging potential, alongside smaller proportions of Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. This innovative wine embodies Pasqua's commitment to both tradition and forward-thinking in winemaking.
A Showcase of Excellence
In addition to highlighting its own creations, Pasqua presented an impressive array of internationally lauded multi-vintage wines during the seminar, including:
- - Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial - 2025 Release
- - Valdivieso Caballo Loco N°21
- - NV18 Cain Cuvée
- - K'AVSHIRI White Assemblage
- - Louis Roederer Collection 245
The discussions at the seminar prompted a deeper conversation surrounding the philosophical and practical value of multi-vintage wines, revisiting a practice that had once been commonplace in the industry. This resurgence comes at a critical time as many wineries face challenges posed by climate change, which has significantly impacted grape growing and wine production methodologies.
A Vision for the Future
According to CEO Riccardo Pasqua, the centenary has transformed Pasqua Wines into a brand driven by creative vision and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. He expressed pride in the winery’s achievements while also emphasizing a keen focus on future innovations that respect the tradition of viticulture.
“We’re proud of how far we've come, but even more excited for what's ahead,” said Pasqua, reflecting on the participation of esteemed winemakers as both an honor and a testament to their ongoing exploration of winemaking boundaries. Through initiatives like this seminar, Pasqua Wines reinforces its role in fostering dialogue and reinvigorating the appreciation for multi-vintage wines, ensuring that this trend thrives unseen by generations to come.
As Pasqua Wines looks toward the future, it continues to explore inventive approaches that marry innovation with the rich heritage of winemaking. Their dedication to excellence shines brightly through both their premium wine selections and commitment to educational endeavors like the seminar featured at Vinitaly 2025.