The board of auditors contradicts what was communicated to members just a few days ago: “Routine maintenance activities are nearing completion” which could allow the cooperative to regularly receive grapes. The schedule will be drawn up with the help of the Agronomic Service, which “is proceeding with sampling in the vineyards”
Terre d’Oltrepò risks not being able to carry out the 2025 harvest. Or rather, no—u-turn. In a note sent yesterday, July 31, 2025, the board of auditors contradicts their own statement from July 28: “The 2025 harvest will be carried out at the Broni winery facility.” It is total chaos in Oltrepò Pavese.
PLANTS BLOCKED DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE
The update sent to members yesterday completely flips the news from a few days earlier, according to which Terre d’Oltrepò’s facilities “are unable to open the plants as they cannot proceed with necessary maintenance and therefore cannot receive deliveries from members for the upcoming 2025 harvest.” The main cause was reportedly the unavailability of economic resources, with suppliers already exposed and unable to intervene.
The board of auditors also highlighted the total absence of institutions, accused of indifference toward the wineries’ crisis. Raising his voice during those same hours, however, was Senator (from Pavia) Gian Marco Centinaio, who called for receivership and urgent government intervention for Tdo. A significant delay in appointing the new board of directors of the Scapa was also reported, hindered by the failure to convene corporate assemblies.
CONFUSION AMONG COMMUNICATIONS SENT TO MEMBERS
This brings us to yesterday, July 31, 2025. Another official communication, signed by the chairmen of the cooperative’s board of auditors, Luigi Migliavacca and Giuliano Cerpelloni, informs member growers that “grape crushing will be carried out at the Broni facility.” Here, “routine maintenance activities are nearing completion.” This position appears in sharp contrast to what was stated just a few days earlier by the same auditors, according to whom technical conditions for starting operations did not exist.
“Individual members are recommended – reads the letter sent yesterday to members – to deliver their produced grapes. Our Agronomic Service is proceeding with sampling in the vineyards in order to prepare and communicate the harvest start dates as usual. The Member Office will remain available for any further technical clarification that may be necessary.”
GOVERNANCE CRISIS AND INSOLVENCY
In the July 28 document, the auditors confirm that the negotiated settlement procedure for the business crisis was launched on July 7. However, it suffered a slowdown due to the failure to appoint a board of directors. Meanwhile, banks and clients have reportedly cut off commercial relations and initiated legal procedures for debt recovery.
Trade associations, including Confcooperative, and the Lombardy Region have been alerted to seek a last-minute solution. The signatories conclude the document by attributing to the decision-making bodies “the responsibility for final assessments and related solutions.”
