Why Pavia Is Northern Italy's Perfect Autumn Escape: Wine, Culture and Autunno Pavese Festival

There is a reason why autumn is one of the best seasons to discover Pavia and its surrounding area: with vineyard-covered hills, historic villages, rice fields and tables laden with local delicacies, the province offers everything you could wish for a fantastic getaway.

Making this season even more special is the Autunno Pavese, the event that has been celebrating the area’s food and wine culture since 1948 and that returns in 2026 with a program of tastings, winery visits, culinary experiences and opportunities to meet local producers.

It is the perfect opportunity to turn a trip to Northern Italy into an unforgettable experience filled with wine, culture, landscapes and the flavors of autumn.

Autumn is when the province of Pavia reveals its true side. Beyond Milan, in the heart of Lombardy, Oltrepò Pavese becomes a mosaic of vineyard-covered hills, historic villages and woodlands painted in shades of red, orange and gold. It is precisely this landscape, shaped by the rhythm of the seasons and the work of the land, that provides the backdrop for the Autunno Pavese event.

Among rows of vines still laden with grapes, trails scented with mushrooms after the first rains, and village squares where chestnuts, pumpkins and local produce take centre stage, this beautiful region invites us to slow down and enjoy authentic and memorable experiences.

From the wineries of Oltrepò to the rice fields of Lomellina and the Pavese area, every stop reveals a heritage of biodiversity, traditions and flavors that truly come into their own in autumn. 

From wine tastings and walks through the vineyards to local specialities and landscapes painted in shades of red and gold, autumn is the perfect time to discover this wonderful corner of Lombardy at your own pace.

Pavia is a beautiful medieval town on the banks of the Ticino river, not far from where it meets the majestic Po river, which gave its name to the Po Valley. From Milan, you can reach this city in about half an hour by train: Pavia will be an excellent starting point for exploring the fascinating Ticino Park and the naturalistic area of Oltrepò Pavese.

On a journey to Oltrepò Pavese, you will admire marvelous landscapes and views of moving beauty. The hilly area is dotted with small ancient villages. In Montalto Pavese, you can admire the famous castle "Herat Place" of FAI with its wonderful English garden and secular trees.

From here, a short walk will take you to the Madonna dei Venti, a panoramic area offering a spectacular view of the surrounding hills, and that hosts the famous yellow Big Bench.

If you are planning an autumn trip to the south of Lombardy, you will have a lot of choices: you can take part in the wonderful activities of the Astronomical Observatory of Cecima, relax in the historic thermal baths of Rivanazzano, visit the ghost town of Rovaiolo and discover Fortunago and Zavattarello, listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy.

As you travel through the vineyards, you will come across many small villages whose names are linked to the delicacies of the Oltrepò Pavese. Here’s a quick look at the typical raw materials of the area, the traditional recipes and above all the wonderful wines that you can taste.

The village of Varzi produces a famous salami with a long maturing period, a sweet and characterised by delicate flavor and a fragrant aroma: this product is exported all over the world and many restaurants include it as a typical starter on their menus with the specific wording "salame di Varzi".

The Bertagnina pumpkin grows luxuriantly around the village of Dorno: the term "bertagnina" seems to derive from the dialect term "bartol", which means beret, referring in particular to the peasants' cap whose richly protuberant shape resembles the base of the pumpkin. This food is widely used for the famous pumpkin risotto, to be enjoyed in its variants with gorgonzola or smoked bacon!

In the Lomellina area there is also no lack of goose-based recipes, such as goose-filled tortelli and stuffed goose.

Finally, you need to try snails, a typical delicacy of Pavia and of the entire area south of the Po, cooked mainly in stews.

The Oltrepò Pavese is known throughout Italy and the world for its terroir, which is particularly suitable for red grapes and sparkling wines; however, many of the vines in this area produce excellent white grapes that give rise to tasty sparkling wines.

In each of the 78 municipalities that make up the Oltrepò Pavese you will find wineries that produce and sell high-quality wines and that organize guided tastings both in the vineyard and in their cellars so that visitors can experience first-hand the whole magical process that transforms the bunches of grapes into the nectar of the Gods. 

Among the leading varieties in the local wine industry is Pinot Noir, a particularly important grape in the area and the foundation of Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG, alongside varieties such as Croatina, Barbera and Riesling.

Oltrepò is in fact one of Lombardy’s great wine-growing regions, with more than 13,000 hectares of vineyards and a long-standing winemaking tradition set against a magnificent hilly landscape.

From September 19 to October 11, 2026, Autunno Pavese returns to transform Pavia and its province into a showcase of the area’s outstanding food and wine traditions.

Established in 1948, it is a unique event that takes you directly to the places where local products are made, from vineyards and wineries to agriturismi, restaurants and farms across the Pavese, Oltrepò and Lomellina areas. The program includes guided tours, tastings, themed dinners, workshops and educational activities for adults and families, as well as events dedicated to local food, history and traditions.

This is what makes Autunno Pavese so special: it is an opportunity to taste local specialities while also delving into the stories behind them. You can walk through the vineyards of Oltrepò, visit a winery and hear from the people who cultivate the vines, or sit down at the table to discover recipes and flavours that have been part of Pavia’s culinary heritage for generations.

An experience that, from one event to the next, brings together landscapes, people and traditions, turning food discovery into an authentic way to explore Pavia and experience it in autumn.

The real strength of the Tour is the opportunity to turn a visit to the province of Pavia into an itinerary built around its local specialities. The participating farms, wineries, agriturismi and restaurants open their doors to visitors with tastings, guided tours, themed dinners and workshops, offering the chance to discover local products, production methods and traditions up close.

The program also includes educational activities for adults and families, as well as events dedicated to the history and culture of the area.

You can therefore combine a wine tasting with a winery visit, enjoy a dinner exploring local cuisine, or pair a workshop with a day spent discovering villages and countryside. It is a wonderful way to experience autumn in Pavia without focusing solely on food, while connecting with the places and people that make this corner of Lombardy so unique.

Another event you won’t want to miss is the Autunno Pavese Fair, taking place from October 2 to 5, 2026, at the Palazzo Esposizioni in Pavia. Over four days, you can discover the flavors of the province through food and wine stands, tastings, talks, masterclasses, cooking classes, and live cooking demonstrations.

Among the spaces to explore, you’ll find the Risotto Area, dedicated to one of the province’s signature specialties, the Piazza del Gusto, where freshly prepared hot dishes are served, and the Mixology Space, where you can discover creative pairings featuring local products. The big new addition for 2026 is the outdoor Food Truck area, where you can enjoy more specialties showcasing the region’s culinary excellence.

The Fair is also a chance to learn more about Pavia’s history, culture, and culinary traditions. At the Palazzo Esposizioni, you’ll get a taste of what makes the province special, discover new flavors, and find inspiration for continuing your autumn journey through the villages and countryside around Pavia.