Azienda Agricola (Farm) Giovale Manuel

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 16:58:00 GMT

It recently moved to Borgone, but it is a farm that carries with it the passion and commitment of three generations of farmers. It is run by Manuel and Rachele, who for the past few years have picked up the baton and experience of his family in cheese production between the historic center of Giaveno and Alpe Montebenedetto in Villar Focchiardo.

Two young people who have chosen to pursue an ancient profession together, united by their love and enthusiasm for this activity, which can be felt as soon as one meets them. And if for Manuel this choice was certainly among the possible options, for Rachele it was not at all obvious, after a school career made up of language studies. "I decided to share this experience with my husband," she tells us, "and it was a versa gamble: I loved the mountains and I knew Manuel since we were children, due to the common frequentation of Montebenedetto, but I knew little about farming and cheese, and I had to take a real 'crash course' these years. But now I can say that I am really very satisfied."

Farming is indeed a big commitment, requiring hard work, organization and division of labor: while Manuel takes care of the cows, Rachele thinks about the cheeses, sales, and the courses to be taken to constantly improve the quality of their products.

If in the winter months the cows remain permanently in Borgone, in the summer months (from May to November) they move to the pasture of Montebenedetto: a decidedly shorter transhumance than the one that used to leave from Giaveno. Here the animals are free to graze in the beautiful meadows next to the Carthusian monastery and feed on alpine flowers and grasses, which give the milk and cheeses their classic alpine flavor.

With 30 barà cows, the farm offers high-quality products with authentic aromas and flavors: fresh milk, different types of toma (fresher or more seasoned), tomette flavored with oregano or chili pepper, fresh and "primo sale" type tomini, traditional lait brusc toma, butter.

To these in summer is added a new and mouth-watering product: ice cream. In fact, Montebenedetto at this time turns into an 'Agrigelateria' that is already a success: in the warm season many people go up to the mountain pasture attracted not only by the pure air, the splendid views and the numerous cultural initiatives of the Charterhouse, but also by the desire to enjoy a truly zero-kilometer ice cream, a delicate idea for the snack of children and adults.

During the winter period, the Borgone farm is open with the following hours:

Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Azienda Agricola (Farm) Giovale Manuel