When I moved to this farmhouse in 2018, the estate already had a vineyard planted with Barbera and Moscato. Determined to carry on the tradition of the farmers who came before me, but from a greener perspective, I am moving from ‘traditional’ to a more sustainable agriculture.

The first goal I am achieving is to improve the health of the soil, air and water by reducing field work and diesel consumption, I have minimised phytosanitary treatments and am gradually increasing the use of organic fertiliser. The first goal to be achieved is organic farming, which will only be the first step in my journey.

I recently planted some hazelnut fields, partly to carry on the agricultural traditions and typical crops of the area, and partly as a tribute to my agrarian professors, who had asked me about hazelnuts in both the botany and arboriculture exams (and I had not studied them the first or second time…). We will see them grow together from year to year.

I have also planted fruit trees: apples, pears, apricots, peaches and plums of different varieties, so that I can show my guests how much difference there is in the plant world.

The orchard will be useful for educational moments on the farm, where we will talk together about the organic world, what it means to have untreated fruit and how to recognise it.