The Corkscrew Museum in Montecalvo Versiggia, opened on 15 July 2006, is a hidden treasure in the heart of the Oltrepò Pavese. Housed in a historic building, the museum offers an extraordinary collection of over 200 corkscrews that tell 300 years of history and innovation.
Montecalvo Versiggia is a community of winemakers who have been producing, bottling and appreciating wine for generations. This winemaking tradition has prompted the municipality to enhance its rich history and cultural heritage. Thus, on 15 July 2006, the Corkscrew Museum was inaugurated, the first museum in Italy dedicated to this instrument, opened and managed not by a private but by a public body. Located in the province of Pavia, in the heart of the Oltrepò Pavese, the museum is a unique attraction.
The Corkscrew Museum is housed in a historic building, once attached to the parish church of Sant‘Alessandro, which has been renovated for the occasion. The building, which also served as a rectory and later as a primary school, now offers a perfect setting for a collection of more than 200 corkscrews spanning 300 years.
‘Corking’ is not simply a technical gesture, a mechanical action required to open a bottle of wine. It is a ritual, a celebration of pleasure and conviviality. Anyone familiar with wine knows that opening a bottle is a precise art, a moment of anticipation that culminates in the release of the joy of life. This awareness is particularly rooted in Montecalvo Versiggia, ‘the land of Pinot Noir’, where wine is not just a drink, but an integral part of local culture and history.
The museum collection is varied and fascinating, presenting a wide range of corkscrews: single lever, double lever, butterfly handle, bell, temple, pantograph and many others. Each piece is an example of ingenuity and design, reflecting technical and artistic evolution over the centuries. These instruments not only tell the story of wine and its tasting, but also show the skill and creativity of their creators.
The Montecalvo Versiggia Corkscrew Museum is much more than just an exhibition of antique instruments. It is a tribute to wine culture, local history and the art of good living. A place where tradition meets innovation, where every corkscrew tells a story and every visit becomes an unforgettable journey. If you are passionate about wine, history or simply looking for an atmospheric destination, the Corkscrew Museum is definitely a destination not to be missed.
