We believe in a healthy and good quality agriculture, which preserves the land in favour of future generations In 2003, my family and I acquired the farms of La Raia, within the gentle hills of Gavi, in southern Piedmont. My children suggested engaging in the biodynamic – organic approach in order to recover the original features of this terroir, which have been cherishing the indigenous Cortese vine for centuries.

This approach was coherent with my desire of creating a balanced and harmonious place in all its components: agricultural and landscape, but also architectural, social and cultural.

La Raia was born from that intuition, a biodynamic Demeter certified farm, which now extends over 180 hectares of vineyards, pastures, fields and woodlands.

 

Other projects were added to La Raia’s farming activities during the years: a Waldorf school, managed by my daughter Caterina Rossi Cairo with the “Intorno al Melo” association and portaNatura, an initiative wanted by her husband Tom Dean, devoted to production, sale and home delivery of fruits, vegetables and other organic goods.

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We recently completed the renovation of Borgo Merlassino, a small accommodation site immersed in the quietness of Gavi, which opens its doors to whom wishes to fully live nature. In April 2017, Locanda La Raia has opened its doors: once a place where wayfarers could rest and get some food, Locanda offers a new idea of hospitality made of simplicity and relaxed pace, with discreet and dedicated service, all in a sophisticated space marked by the interaction with the beauty of the surrounding nature.

 

The awareness of the importance of a healthy, high quality and sustainable agriculture which values diversities and preserves the terroir favouring future generations led us to accomplish new initiatives.

We became shareholders of the company EcorNaturaSì, the most important production and distribution company of organic and biodynamic products. In January 2015 we also acquired Tenuta Cucco, with its cru Cucco and Cerrati in Serralunga d’Alba, one of the most renowned areas for Barolo production and recent entry into the Unesco World Heritage List, thanks to its landscapes and vineyards. A new aspect of this project which we are passionate about and which will drive us to extend the organic method over Tenuta Cucco’s vineyards.

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Finally, me and my family established the Fondazione La Raia- arte cultura territorio (La Raia Foundation– art culture territory) with the aim of nationally promoting a critical reflection over the vast topic of landscape. Artists, intellectuals and landscape architects are called to intervene on the location in order to create a chance of further interpretation and new identity.
Our engagement in such articulated project is continuously renovating and getting richer of new initiatives. Involving ever more participants, friends and those passionate about agriculture which represents the roots of our future.
We invite you to come and visit us and take part of this project.

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Giorgio Rossi Cairo