The Valley

We found that the first four rows of this vineyard were elderly and low-yielding pinot nero vines. After the 2007 harvest we decided to remove these, and the area was re-dug and planted with Dolcetto vines, a local red grape variety, in Spring 2008.

From the top of this vineyard there are attractive open views down into the wooded valley floor, and from here an ancient and currently overgrown mule track leads down (steeply) to the bed of the torrente (seasonal stream) at the bottom of the valley - although the torrente is dry for most of the year.

The natural parts of the valley are inhabited by deer, which we see fairly regularly, and extremely large hares. We have also seen foxes, red squirrels and pheasants from time to time. As with much of Italy, there are wild boar in the most secluded areas, but they keep well out of the way in daylight hours because cinghiale is a greatly admired delicacy in Piedmontese restaurants.