Fratelli Agnes

Fratelli Agnes is a Lombardy-based producer based in Rovescala, in the heart of the Oltrepò Pavese, a hilly area in the province of Pavia where Bonarda has particularly deep historical roots. The winery’s identity centres on Croatina, a grape variety locally associated with Bonarda and its most recognisable expression: wines with a distinct territorial character, capable of combining fruit, freshness, a structured tannic profile and a natural liveliness when the style calls for it.

The setting of Rovescala is key to understanding the wines: sun-facing hillsides, a long-standing winemaking tradition and a variety of soils that can range, even over short distances, from clayey components to limestone and tuff-based substrates. This diversity allows Croatina to express itself through different nuances, whilst retaining a common thread of intensity, body and a strong connection to the terroir.

The winemaking approach prioritises understanding the vineyard and safeguarding the raw material. Sources describe a respectful and minimally interventionist management style, with a focus on historic vineyards and the local plant heritage. In the cellar, the winemaking process involves fermentation with indigenous yeasts, prolonged maceration, ageing on fine lees and the measured use of containers – including vitrified concrete and steel – chosen to complement the wine without overpowering its character.

The result is a consistent style centred on the Croatina grape from the Oltrepò Pavese region: red wines with an authentic character, deeply rooted in Rovescala and the Bonarda tradition, with a personality that stems more from the vineyard than from technical intervention.