Organic farms in the Oltrepò Pavese

Those how were born and lived in the Oltrepò Pavese are tied to their land, literally.
They love the first slopes that gradually lead to the hills drawn by countless rows, as well as the steepest terrain of the Alto Oltrepò and its often snow-capped peaks.
This bond with the land has meant that many companies, for some time now, have wanted to manage their business organically .

What organic products are there in Oltrepò Pavese?

In the Oltrepò we can find organic companies among the Cellars, or among those that produce honey or that grow fruit and vegetables; others produce organic jams, others still, organic cheeses.

Here is a brief overview (obviously far from exhaustive) of some organic products from the Oltrepò Pavese and some of the respective manufacturing companies.

Starting from wine, an iconic product of our hills, there are several organic wineries that produce organic wines.

Organic wines

In Canneto Pavese, for example, we meet the Azienda Agricola Quaquarini Francesco – Organic Winery. A company of winemakers for three generations, today at the helm are Francesco and his children Umberto and Maria Teresa. Umberto is an oenologist, while Maria Teresa is the head of the Marketing Area, coordinating both the sales network and the company image.

The Quaquarini’s family respects the land and the environment, from the delicate manual phase of vine cultivation and harvesting, to the meticulous control of the production and bottling of its organic wines.

The family-run business has been certified as an organic production since 2002.

One of the consolidated techniques he uses is grassing, with the presence of grass in the vineyard, which contributes to the good ripening of the grapes. Embracing a sustainable work and lifestyle and working to ensure that the right conditions continue to exist is the company’s ethical choice. Fertilizers are also made of plant and/or animal origin , promoting biodiversity . This respectful approach to the territory also helps to preserve the rural landscape, as well as offering consumers quality wines produced in a sustainable manner.

Its production also includes wines without sulphites and in 2017 they got the “BANDIERA VERDE AGRICOLTURA” recognition, which is awarded to companies that stand out for their commitment to defend the territory and the environment , also safeguarding the health of the consumer.

Its wines are available in the cellar, on the online shop and other online sales portals and various fairs and festivals in the area.

In the Boffenisio area of ​​Borgo Priolo (PV) instead, there is the Azienda Agricola Piaggi Francesco.
Fradé – as the company is also known – is the brand of the estates owned; Fradé, in the Pavese dialect, means Brothers and in fact Francesco and Federico are the two brothers who run the company, two young organic winemakers.
The company offers tastings and direct sales, in addition to online sales.

Organic honey

In the Oltrepò, excellent organic honey is also produced : Luca Bonizzoni, for example, takes care of his beloved bees in Casteggio and is one of the largest organic beekeepers in Italy .

There are 17 types of honey produced by his bees, all organic . In addition to honey, the range is completed by other products from its Italian queen bees and worker bees: royal jelly , sweets, propolis and more. We can in fact fill up on energy with pollen in a jar and with propimiele : a new product based on propolis for treating sore throats, but as good as honey and therefore also loved by children.

Its products are available at some retailers here in Oltrepò, such as Barbanera , Il Pane di Rosa and Erboristeria Naturamica in Casteggio, at Stazione dei Sapori in Rivanazzano Terme, Al Casello in Retorbido, in Voghera at Bar Teatro – da Ceci Massimiliano – WSM selezione sas – Naturasì – Parafarmcia il Castello .
Luca Bonizzoni also makes home deliveries.

Images taken from the Facebook page of Azienda Agricola Luca Bonizzoni

Certified organic companies

La Torrazzetta , in the Torrazzetta area of ​​Borgo Priolo, is a large farm that produces a variety of organic products : from wines – which have had organic certification since 1984 – to be enjoyed in the dining room or in the adjacent Cantina del Pellegrino, to vegetables, organic hazelnut spread , honey and then again, from homemade biscuits to a delicious elderflower syrup, to finish with sugar-free compotes of plums, strawberries and blackberries and also organic jams of cherries, peaches, pears, dog roses, elderberries, apricots, quinces and figs. The company sells it’s products directly from the farm.

Images taken from the Torrazzetta Agriturismo Winery Facebook page

Moving to Rivanazzano Terme, the Società Agricola Malbosca is located, a certified organic company. Among its organic offerings, there are borlotti beans, fruit, dehydrated vegetables (onions, courgettes, radicchio, peppers, tomatoes), tomato puree, oregano and chilli pepper.

Image taken from the Facebook page of the Malbosca Agricultural Company

We go up into the mountains, arriving in Varzi in the Cagnano area, where Cascina Cagnano operates , a certified organic company, converted to organic cultivation methods since 2001.Its lands are part of the Oltrepò Pavese Mountain Community area and its products carry the optional quality indication MOUNTAIN PRODUCT .

Produces organic legumes: lentils, borlotti beans, chickpeas and chickpea flour.

To purchase, contact the company or, for those visiting Voghera, contact Macelleria F.lli Negri.

Images taken from the Cascina Cagnano Facebook page

Organic cheeses

Among the organic cheese companies , always in the hilly area of ​​the Oltrepò Pavese Mountain Community, there is the organic company Oranami , precisely in Ponte Nizza, Pizzocorno hamlet.
The company obtained organic certification quite some time ago, in 1988. They sell their products directly from the farm door and also have a refreshment point , very panoramic.

Image taken from the Facebook page of Azienda Agricola Oranami

A piece of advice? Combine business with pleasure: contact the producers to find out if and when you can buy their organic products on the farm and in the meantime come and explore this beautiful territory called Oltrepò!