Ancient Ca' Vecchia
The excellence of Monferrato olive oils
The Oil produced in this northern area has a long history, recognized as a symbol of Italian excellence in the early 1900s. The climate change, with its harsh winters, had decimated the ancient olive groves; however, for the same reason, the same climate change also favored the revival of the tradition of cultivating the so-called "Heroic" olive groves along the 46th Parallel in the early 2000s.
Oliviera Agricultural Company
The virtuous example of this recovery has been supported by the Oliviera Agricultural Company of Anita Casamento Aquilino, oil producer and sommelier, as well as a winner of the prestigious "5 Drops of the Bibenda Foundation" award with honors and the "Amsterdam IOOC 2025 Gold Category" award.
This is an extraordinary achievement, as it marks the first time a Piedmontese oil has received this recognition.
In 2000, the farm decided to try again and began this great adventure, dedicating itself to producing a superior-quality extra virgin olive oil, not surprisingly called "L'Unico."
Address: Regione Abbà 15, 15030, Olivola, AL
For reservations: https://www.oliomonferrato.it/
Mobile: +39 335 808 6656
The Monferrato truffle
A land of rolling hills and centuries-old vineyards, Monferrato is a place where nature and tradition meet in perfect harmony. While the grapes growing on the surface yield fine wines, a precious treasure lies hidden underground: the truffle.
The truffle is much more than an ingredient in delicious dishes; it is one of the symbols of the region, embodying its tradition and passion. Every autumn, the villages of Monferrato come alive with truffle-themed fairs and events, celebrating not only the product itself but also the identity of an entire region.
There are many different varieties of truffle hidden in the earth, differing in appearance, aroma, flavour, and, last but not least, harvest time. Thus, we have:
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White Truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico): Considered the king of truffles, it is harvested between September and January. It has an intense and unmistakable aroma, ideal for enhancing simple dishes like tagliolini or fried eggs.
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Black Truffle (Tuber melanosporum): Hunted from November to March, it has a delicate aroma and a bold flavour, perfect for a wide variety of dishes, from starters to main courses.
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Scorzone Truffle (Tuber aestivum): Also known as the summer truffle, it is found between May and August and is characterized by a delicate aroma, less intense than its relatives.
On the property, depending on the season and favorable growing conditions, the truffle hunter finds mostly black truffles every year, both the prized black and the scorzone, but we've also had the delightful surprise of finding a few small white truffles. Additionally, for the off-season months, truffle butter or frozen truffles in excellent condition are always available,. ​
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You can also book (but certainly in advance, not at the last minute) a truffle hunt with the trifulau (truffle hunters) and their dogs. This fascinating adventure combines tradition, nature, passion, and fun to create an experience that will remain etched in the memories of adults and, perhaps, even more so, children!
click on the "Find out more" buttons to find the dates of these events and access the booking links.
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Happy hunting!