The Farmlands of Beppino Occelli

At a height of between 600 and 1500 metres above sea level in the foothills of the Marittime Alps in the areas of Farigliano, Villanova Mondovì, Frabosa Soprana and Valcasotto, the fields and meadows, woods and stables owned by Beppino Occelli nestle in the protective embrace of the surrounding mountains and provide a perfect environment for the breeding of goats, sheep and, in the near future, cows of the alpine breed. Between Villanova and Frabosa,herds of the renowned Saanen breed of snowy white goats produce the excellent milk required for the production of quality cheeses such as Crava, Losa, Verde di Frabosa (the only veined goat’s cheese in Italy) the esteemed Testun and a ricotta that can be appreciated when fresh or ripe. Several hundred head of sheep native to the area (the Langa sheep and the sturdy long-horned Frabosana-Raoschina come to mind) produce the milk for the rare, sought after cheeses exclusive to the area: Tuma dla Paja, Feja Testun (from the purest sheep’s milk) and the creamy, marbled Blu di Frabosa that is rapidly conquering the palates of the discerning. In the very near future a herd of cows will be introduced, destination the summer alpine pastures, enabling the Company to closely control milk and cream and the butter made from crude, fresh milk, a rarity in Italy. The Farming Concern of Beppino Occelli does concentrate on pastures and breeding, but not only this. The Company’s farm workers will take care of all the agricultural products of the mountain: wheat, maize, rye, buckwheat, chestnuts, wood apples, honey and woodland fruits, not to speak of the variety of vegetables and aromatic herbs. Moreover, in Borgo Valcasotto, an old flour mill dating back to 1804 will soon be restored to full working order.