In March 2024, Margarethe and I had the pleasure of visiting Pasquale Pelissero, the family-run winery in Neive, Piedmont. The visit was recommended by our friend and collaborator Valerie, who is based in Alba, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable highlights of our trip.
From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was simple, authentic, and welcoming. There was nothing pretentious or staged about it – just the warm embrace of a family home rooted in the hills of Barbaresco.
The kitchen was amazing: simple and real, full of pots and pans, colourful, alive. We had chosen the family-cooked meal with a tasting, and it was exactly the right choice. The food was deeply traditional – comforting local dishes made with care. We enjoyed the best roasted bell peppers, exquisite raw beef, tajarin pasta, and my favourite, rabbit with capers. Each dish carried the essence of Piedmontese home cooking.
Every course was perfectly paired with Ornella’s wines. From Dolcetto and Barbera to Langhe Nebbiolo and the flagship Barbaresco Bricco San Giuliano, the progression of wines told the story of the estate and its land. Each sip carried both elegance and character, a faithful reflection of the unique terroir of Neive.
What made the experience unforgettable was Ornella herself.
The Pelissero family has deep roots in Neive, and their estate, Cascina Crosa, was purchased in 1921 by Ornella’s grandfather and uncle from the Counts Cocito di Neive. Her father, Pasquale, was an early pioneer in bottling his own wine locally, releasing the first Barbaresco Cascina Crosa in 1971. After his passing in 2007, Ornella took over the winery. Today she oversees the vineyards, winemaking, hospitality, sales, and international relations with passion and determination.
Her son Simone, who graduated from enology school in 2018, now works alongside her, bringing gentle innovations (such as a Nebbiolo under his own label). Still, Ornella retains stewardship, especially over the Barbaresco wines.
The flagship of the winery remains Barbaresco “Bricco San Giuliano / Cascina Crosa”, aged in large traditional French oak barrels (25–30 hl). Alongside it, the range includes Dolcetto, Barbera, Langhe Nebbiolo, Moscato, and the more recent Langhe Nebbiolo “Pasqualin,” where Simone has had a hand. Production is small-scale artisanal, around 15–20,000 bottles annually, with a strong focus on terroir and quality over volume. The estate also participates in the “Biotipicità” consortium, which emphasizes sustainable, integrated farming practices.
Above all, what shines through is Ornella’s hospitality and warmth. She is not only a skilled winemaker but also a generous host and an excellent cook. A meal at Pasquale Pelissero is not a restaurant experience but rather a moment of being welcomed at a family table.
This visit was more than just a meal and a tasting. It was a window into the life and soul of Piedmont, where food, wine, and family are inseparable. We left with full hearts, full stomachs, and a lasting connection to this special corner of the Langhe.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience true Langhe hospitality.
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