Our idea when looking for our first vineyard was to find old plants in vocated positions. Today our vines are developed on 4 rather distant plots, each with its own characteristics but all united by the age of the plants which varies from 30 to 100 years and from the prevalent presence of the 4 traditional Piacenza grapes: aromatic Malvasia di Candia, Ortrugo, Barbera and Croatina (locally called Bonarda).
Filarole farm was born when we bought our first plot of land in Gabbiano, in the hills above Pianello Val Tidone in the province of Piacenza. Here we found just over half a hectare of vines abandoned for 4 years: plants of the Sixties that despite the neglect have remained alive and have produced grapes, a breathtaking landscape on the valley of the river Tidone and a secluded location with excellent vine vocation have made us fall in love with this place and pushed to start the adventure.
Find out more about the Gabbiano vineyard
The following summer we identified a second vineyard in Val Chiarone, a small inland valley towards the municipality of Piozzano, a naturalistically extraordinary area crossed by the stream that gives it its name. The vineyards of Ca ‘Nuova Pisani: 2 hectares of Piacenza grapes, 6 years of abandonment but with numerous plants still alive to be brought back into production.
Find out more about the vineyard of Ca ‘Nuova Pisani.
In the winter of 2018/2019 we rented two further hectares straddling the Gualdora stream, a a well-kept vineyard with ancient vines which span 100 years of age. Classic Piacenza grapes, with some unknown plants.
Find out more about the vineyard at Gualdora creek
Organic farming and old varieties
In the vineyard we work limiting the passages with mechanical means to reduce soil compaction, we try to maintain the fertility we found when we arrived and to protect the balance that plants have managed to create themselves during the years of neglect. We have chosen organic farming and are certified by Suolo e Salute. The phytosanitary protection is made with copper, sulfur and natural products trying to reduce the interventions to the minimum necessary taking advantage of the natural resistance that the old plants have developed over time.