Cascina Blu

Laura and Alberto Valentino abandoned the world of architecture eight years ago to devote themselves to bilberry growing. To do so, they chose some fields on the border between Ciriè and Ceretta where on more than three hectares of land they specialise in cranberries, the health-giving American variety of the berry. The berries grow from the middle of June to the start of August and each bush yields for no longer than ten years or so. This is why Laura and Alberto rotate cranberries with normal bilberries, a system that also allows them to diversify production.  The bushes have been producing fruit for the last four years, during which Cascina Blu has sold, in season, dehydrated cranberries and bilberries, jams (some of which sugar-free), and juices, liqueurs, cakes and chocolates all year long, and ice lollies in summer. The farm adopts organic methods and has a large events area marked off by lovely rows of lavender alongside the fields, where it organises gala evenings, tastings and picnic all featuring its bilberries and cranberries.

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