The senator is calling for the urgent appointment of an external administrator to save the 2025 harvest for the Pavia-based winery. The cooperative is in a deep crisis, exacerbated by an estimated 60% drop in production. The Region has postponed the Board of Directors meeting scheduled for mid-July.
“Only a swift receivership, entrusted to someone from outside the region, will allow the member producers to secure the upcoming 2025 harvest.” This is the request from Gian Marco Centinaio, Vice President of the Senate, regarding the crisis affecting Terre d’Oltrepò, the largest cooperative winery in Oltrepò Pavese. Centinaio is calling for immediate government intervention to at least ensure the management of the current harvest season, emphasizing the urgency of “saving what can be saved.”
STRUCTURAL CRISIS AND 60% DROP IN PRODUCTION
Terre d’Oltrepò has been facing an internal crisis for some time, worsened in 2024 by a production collapse estimated at around 60%. On July 8, the Board of Directors resigned en masse. Three days later, a new Board was elected, consisting of representatives from Confcooperative, Lombardy Region, Cia, and Coldiretti, leading to the presidency of Mattia Affini and Filippo Nevelli.
However, the ratification of the appointments has been suspended, as revealed by Winemag as early as July 15. The Lombardy Region, at the request of the chairman of the board of statutory auditors, postponed the Board meeting scheduled for July 15, rescheduling it for August 8 and 9 to further investigate the financial situation.
CENTINAIO: “NO MORE SUBTERFUGE, RESPONSIBILITY IS NEEDED”
“It is time for everyone to acknowledge the ongoing crisis, without seeking subterfuge or ineffective alternative solutions,” Centinaio stated. “The institutions,” he added, “will be able to support this recovery process, but always while respecting the autonomy inherent to a private capital company.”
Finally, the Lega senator dismissed the criticism directed at state representatives: “Criticizing those who represent the State for this situation now is inappropriate and unjustified, and it certainly won’t help overcome the difficulties.”
