The story of Mario Pesce, his menus, and a culture that endures
At Scarpa, we’ve always believed in the power of pairing – in the art of letting wine and food speak to one another, in the simple yet profound gesture of sharing a bottle.It’s a belief rooted in the work and vision of Mario Pesce, a pivotal figure in the winery’s history.
When Antonio Scarpa entrusted him with the estate in 1949, Mario was just 28 years old – curious, brilliant, and driven by passion. He had the foresight to focus on native grape varieties, to champion long ageing, and to believe in wines built to last. And he had the courage to look beyond borders, welcoming journalists, importers, and wine merchants from around the world to Scarpa.
But above all, he knew how to bring them to the table.
Mario believed in the convivial power of wine – he saw it as the gravitational centre of a thoughtfully composed meal. He would gather friends, clients, and colleagues in some of Piedmont’s most iconic restaurants, offering them a full-circle food and wine experience.
The cuisine was deeply rooted in local tradition, yet executed with meticulous, almost tailor-made care. From Ristorante San Marco in Canelli to Hasta Hotel in Asti, Da Guido in Costigliole, I Cacciatori in Cartosio, Bardon in San Marzano Oliveto – some of the region’s most celebrated kitchens stood shoulder to shoulder with Scarpa wines, forging a synergy that told the story of Piedmont more vividly than any speech.
Each bottle was part of a gastronomic journey, designed to bring out its finest nuances. Dolcetto with truffle mousse, Barbera and Barbaresco alongside shank, braised meats, agnolotti, aged tome cheese. Dry Brachetto with fresh raspberries. Often numbered selections, these bottles were the protagonists of carefully curated menus, crafted for each occasion and each guest.
Scarpa still holds on to those menus today. Fragments of a living memory – a legacy that never faded.
And it’s from that very idea – of food and wine as a shared narrative – that the Scarpa Lunch Pairing Experience was born.
A private lunch for six guests, hosted in the tasting room of our historic winery in Nizza Monferrato.
Two distinct journeys to choose from: one dedicated to historic vintages, drawn directly from our caveau and paired with traditional cuisine; the other focused on the single varietals we grow and vinify today, matched with contemporary dishes designed to highlight their character.
The menu is conceived and prepared on the spot by our personal chef, in dialogue with the wines selected for the day. This isn’t a tasting – it’s a real lunch, built like a story.
Just like Mario’s. With the same spirit, the same reverence, the same pleasure in letting wine – once again – take its rightful place at the heart of the table.
