Discover Canneto: Wine Routes, Hills and Buttafuoco

Canneto among hills, vineyards and paths

The landscape around Canneto Pavese forms a mosaic of cultivated areas, woods and natural paths. Canneto Pavese is located at one of the most panoramic points in the area. Small villages are scattered across the summits of the gently rounded hills between the left bank of the Versa stream and the ridge of the slopes above the right bank of the Scuropasso stream. The Parco locale di interesse sovracomunale (Plis) delle Valli di Recoaro extends across Broni and Canneto Pavese.

Hiking trails with different starting points

The VALLA’ e POZZI hiking trail begins at the Parco Comunale and ends in the square by the Fonti di Recoaro. The VALLE SCURA hiking trail leads from the Fonti di Recoaro uphill to the Montuè district of Canneto. The Valli Fontana e Solinga trail begins in the centre of Canneto, in an area with a centuries-old winemaking tradition. The Via di San Colombano is a panoramic trail through vineyards.

Local history at wells and in names

The medieval Pozzo di Sant'Antonio Abate served as a resting place for pilgrims and travellers. It preserves original bas-reliefs featuring the coats of arms of the Arrigoni and Visconti families, as well as depictions of Saint Anthony the Abbot and Saint Roch. The oldest manuscript found to date in which Canneto is mentioned is a land-sale document dated 9 February 1198, in which the place is referred to as “Caneto”. Montù de Gabbi was officially renamed Canneto Pavese on 1 January 1886.

Local specialities and the world of Buttafuoco

I Bata Lavar is a traditional, oversized agnolotto from Canneto Pavese. Its name refers to the fact that, because of its size, it is difficult to eat in a single bite and hits the lip in the process. Spalla cotta di Canneto Pavese is a local speciality prepared with a brine made from water, salt and spices. Casa del Buttafuoco stands on the site where the ancient castle of Vigalone in Canneto Pavese once stood. In the adjoining winery, visitors can taste Grande Rosso and Grappa del Buttafuoco.

Tastings by reservation

Casa del Buttafuoco is the tourist information point of the Unione Prima Collina. During the “Alla scoperta del Buttafuoco Storico” tour, three wines from historic vineyards are tasted in the club’s cellar. Tastings of Buttafuoco Storico are available from Tuesday to Saturday by reservation; on Sundays, this is available by reservation only for groups of more than 20 people.

Getting there and choosing where to stay

From Milano Centrale or Pavia, you can take a regional train to Voghera or Stradella and from there take a taxi or, where available, a bus to Canneto Pavese. Bus services from the stations in Stradella or Voghera connect to the surrounding towns, including Canneto Pavese; services are not very frequent.

Other places for planning your trip

Montecalvo Versiggia, Ottobiano, Zerbolò, Val di Nizza, Castello D'agogna, Rivanazzano, Tromello and Semiana.

To the higher-level travel overview: Pavia.