The Farm
Rocca Rondinaria
The Farm
The family farm was born in 2004 and consists of a real estate of about 12 hectares in the Apennine hills of the Scrivia valley.
Originally, its activities included breeding horses and small farm animals, haymaking, and the experimental cultivation of special essences such as saffron. Subsequently, after taking over vineyards in an area exceptionally suited for wine-making, Lucesio, Giovanna and their children decided to combine the agricultural profile that has traditionally had an important part in the family history, with the expertise skilfully preserved by the winemakers of Rocca Grimalda. The result has been a small enterprise that aims to relaunch and develop a local wine of quality.
Taking into account that the landscape is a substantial part of wine making, we have preferred to recover old farm vineyards that still retain such typical characteristics of biodiversity (wine varieties coming from different selections) as to give the wine its specific quality.
The cultural practices are dictated by the pursuit of the greatest respect and harmony with nature: limited use of tractors, no trimming of vines in summer, organic fertilization using green manure, aeration of the soil, respect of cosmic calendars, use of biodynamic treatments, grape harvesting by hand etc.
The quantity produced is still small. It consists of two types of Dolcetto CRU coming from areas famous for the high quality of the “terroirs” named Trionzo and Bernarda, and a wine that is fermented with the stalks of the grapes and therefore still pressed by feet, and aged for a long time, like it was done in the past.
Presently a new vineyard of Dolcetto d’Ovada DOC is being implemented.
The wine cellars, located in the basement of the castle, guarantee a natural stability of temperature and humidity. The processing interventions are therefore minimal and aim to accompany and enhance the characteristics of each vintage: partial pressing by feet, natural fermentation, a long period on the sediment of the barrel, the transfer to slow release barrels, followed by long ageing in bottles, respect of the cosmic calendar and no filtration.
The Castle of Rocca Grimalda
The castle, because of its dominant location over the wide Orba valley, became a strategic defendable position, and a great variety of events has characterized its history, evolution and transformation over the centuries.
The majestic circular tower dates back to the beginning of the 13th century and such important families as the Malaspinas or the Grimaldis have owned the castle as a part of their estate. Today it is a private dwelling house, a home for a large family, which has recently taken care of the restoration of the castle and of its gardens.
For more information please visit our website at www.castelloroccagrimalda.it
Visiting and Sojourning at the Castle
It is possible for groups to visit and tour the castle under the guide of the owners themselves. Visits are possible between April and October as published on the website of the castle in the “events and initiatives” section.
Individual visits and tours are possible all year round by booking in advance.
It is also possible to stay in charming apartments, welcomed with warmth friendliness by the owners of the castle. All the information can be found on the web site of the castle in the “hospitality” section.
The historic origins of the name of the farm: Rocca Rondinaria
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According to a popular legend still known in the area of Ovada, Rondinaria was a large Roman city populated by thousands of slaves whose work was to find and collect the gold from the sands of the rivers Orba and Piota.
As it is common with popular traditions, there is a certain amount of historical truth to the legend and all the historians who have looked into this legend agree that the mythical city did exist. It is however identified with different villages. In this competition, an important recognition was obtained by Andrea Grimaldi for his estate on 1722 from Emperor and Duke of Milan Charles VI in an imperial diploma dated July 7th, 1722.
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