Between wine production and educational projects, Bersano tells the story of one of its most iconic estates — a symbol of memory and vision.
Nizza Monferrato, November 2025 – Among the emblematic sites of the Nizza denomination (link), Cascina Generala has represented one of Bersano’s (link) most defining projects for the past thirty years: a Barbera capable of combining depth, elegance and longevity. Located in Agliano Terme, in the heart of the most historic and vocated area, the estate has always been the natural laboratory in which the winery develops its own interpretation of Nizza, through agronomic research, sustainable practices and a production approach firmly rooted in the vineyard.
“Generala is a special place for us, a vineyard that tells the story of who we are and where we are going,” says Federica Massimelli, CEO and co-owner of Bersano. “Here, Barbera finds one of its most complete expressions: a natural balance between strength and finesse, between memory and future.” Purchased in 1995 by Ugo Massimelli, Cascina Generala was one of the first projects he personally oversaw, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Bersano. It was Ugo who first sensed the extraordinary potential of this vineyard and launched an ambitious program of enhancement, working alongside two leading figures of Italian oenology and key architects of Barbera’s evolution: Giuliano Noè and Ezio Rivella.
The 53-hectare estate has, over time, anticipated many of the practices now considered distinctive of the Nizza denomination: low yields, internal zoning and parcel selection, and a strong focus on biodiversity and soil balance. Today, Generala continues to represent a model of integrated production, where viticulture coexists with education and territorial development projects.
“Generala is currently home to the Agliano Terme Hospitality School, a source of pride for the area and a symbol of the bond between education, culture and wine. The Massimelli family, long committed to educational and youth-support initiatives, sees Generala as a place capable of transmitting values and knowledge to future generations. The long-term vision is to make the estate a centre of hospitality and dialogue with the territory, where the wine experience naturally intersects with that of welcome and sharing,” adds Federica Massimelli.
Cascina Generala is part of Bersano’s single-vineyard project, a narrative that connects the ten estates owned between Monferrato and the Langhe. Each property, surrounded by vineyards with homogeneous soils and microclimates, translates the identity of a terroir and the company’s vision into wine. Only the very best grapes are destined for these labels named after their original estate, created from the belief that each vineyard has its own unique voice. “Our production philosophy is clear: to enhance every single vineyard and its terroir to create wines that stand the test of time,” says Federica Massimelli. “These vineyards and their “cascine” are not only places of production, but also embody our history, identity and commitment to a sustainable, high-quality future.”
In the Generala vineyards, viticultural practices are designed to preserve the health of the grapes and the ecological balance of the land, though cultivation comes with several challenges: slopes ranging from 15% to 25% require meticulous management. The vines are planted along contour lines, a technique that, while making vineyard work more complex, improves water management and prevents soil erosion.
Yields are intentionally kept low — around 50 quintals per hectare, well below the 70 permitted by the disciplinary — a choice that favours concentration, balance and longevity.
Winter pruning is limited to 7–8 buds, and the vines are trained using the Guyot system, combined with targeted interventions such as cluster thinning to ensure optimal sun exposure and uniform ripening. These practices, together with constant monitoring of vine health and a deep respect for biodiversity, reflect Bersano’s commitment to responsible and precise viticulture.
Nizza DOCG Riserva “Generala”: A Barbera of Identity and Vision
The Nizza DOCG Riserva “Generala”, among the winery’s most representative labels, originates from the estate’s finest exposures. After the manual harvest, carried out to preserve the integrity of the berries, vinification begins with skin maceration in temperature-controlled stainless-steel fermenters equipped with automated systems. During this phase, frequent pump-overs and oxygenation ensure full transformation of sugars into alcohol.
Racking follows, with the wine resting on fine lees to support the malolactic fermentation. Current vintages undergo at least 12 months of ageing in wood, with 80% in tonneaux and 20% in large oak casks, followed by a further 12 months in bottle. Starting with the 2024 vintage, the ageing protocol evolves toward even greater aromatic and structural precision, with approximately eight months in barriques followed by maturation in large casks to reach a total of 18 months in wood, and at least 12 months of bottle ageing.
In the glass, Nizza Riserva “Generala” shows an intense ruby-red colour with violet highlights. On the nose, it is broad and enveloping, offering notes of ripe cherry, vanilla, cocoa and underbrush. The palate is velvety and persistent, with a finish that recalls the depth of its fruit. “At the heart of Generala lies a Nizza DOCG Riserva that speaks our language: naturally elegant, deep without ostentation. A wine that brings people together, creates intimacy and turns conviviality into memory. It is the most authentic expression of our mission to bring finesse and quality to the moments that matter,” adds Federica Massimelli.
