The bizarre passion
The olive tree is a cultivation that Piedmont had lost track although the toponyms of places like Olivola or San Marzano Oliveto and citations given in several medieval texts, testify that in many areas of the Piedmont, and the Monferrato Astigiano particularly among these, the olive tree was once an integral part of both the landscape and the local agricultural production. Thanks to the pioneering activities of a meritorious a group of enthusiasts, that about thirty years ago founded the Piedmont Olivocultori Association (ASSPO) , the situation has changed and currently the presence of olive trees in Piedmont is a growing reality.
The olive tree as the vine is a plant from the peculiar charm, passion and commitment together with curiosity are distinctive characters at Cascina Allegra Estate: dates back to 2003 the first nucleus of olive trees, planted in the ground around the House, then followed, in 2005 and in 2006, by two subsequent interventions to have the olive-yard completed. Leccino, Leccio del Corno, Frantoio, Moraiolo, Bianchera and Pendolino are the main cultivars planted, followed then by the variety obtained as a result of the cloning project of historic olive plants in Piedmont, that turned out to be a variant of Frantoio species that medieval monks had in the past planted and protected in their monasteries spread throughout the territory.
The business rationale of Cascina Allegra Estate is still the same: quality first. About the olive oil the absence of consolidated local experiences on the one hand, and the particular climate and weather conditions on the other, have imposed for tuning the manufacturing process a long lasting experimental and adapting phase. Initially confined to its own use only, given the reduced production quantity available, the commercial production began in 2015, the year of the birth of Zotengo the Cascina Allegra’s extra-virgin olive oil.
Multi-varietal blend associ%ates the the main cultivars Leccino and Frantoio to a lesser extent with Moraiolo, Pendolino, Leccio del Corno and Bianchera, olives picked up to hand and cold pressed.
When the quality of the vintage allows it Zotengo il flanked by Zotengo slz 7436 the monocultivar selection from the Frantoio’s olive grove from clones of historic plant of Piedmont.
