VICTORIA
KING VALLEY’S ITALIAN
TRADITIONS
The first prosecco vines in Australia were planted
by Otto Dal Zotto in King Valley. Since 2000, Dal
Zotto has spread the popularity of prosecco
outside of his hometown Valdobbiadene, the
birthplace of prosecco. The terroir nurtured a
prosecco that is fresh and crisp, a complement to
the flavours of Australian cuisine. Since then, the
family-run Dal Zotto Wines (dalzotto.com.au;
Main Road, Whitfield) has melded tradition with
innovation to produce Italian varietals that are a
hit, including sangiovese, shiraz and barbera.
The cellar door has a trattoria that serves
traditional Italian dishes such as handmade
pasta, antipasti and gnocchi dishes – all whipped
by the family’s matriarch nonna Elena who is
inspired by the regional produce and picks her
ingredients from the winery’s fruit, herb and
vegetable gardens.
At Pizzini Wines (pizzini.com.au; 175 King
Valley), Katrina Pizzini continues the cooking
traditions of her husband’s nonna and passes it
on in her classes at the A tavola! Cooking School,
located onsite at the cellar door. Also a family
business, Katrina runs the kitchen while her
husband Fred and daughter Natalie manage thewinery. The cellar door is a
cosy venue made all the
more homely by a large
viewing window that
showcases the action in the
kitchen. Besides the wines, it is
worth pointing out that Katrina’s
pastries are superb – her apple strudel
is a work of refinement, thanks to nonna
Rosetta’s recipe. Her gnocchi too is perfect –
delicate yet sturdy in texture.
Pizzini serves reisling, chardonnay, sangiovese,
nebbiolo, verduzzo, brachetto and arneis,
including some French styles.The Pizzini family’s cellar door
experience is one of the best in
the valley, from food and wine
to vineyard accommodations.
ABOVE A bottle from Pizzini’s
Sangiovese selectionDal Zotto Wines was the
first to plant prosecco
vines in the King Valley