Gianluca Bini is always available, by appointment only, to meet you at the “Podere Case Piacche” Farm and explain the cultivation and processing techniques employed for the production of the farm’s extra virgin olive oil. During your visit you may also have a tasting of the farm’s extra virgin olive oil, in the rooms of the 13th century tower house.
Gianluca Bini will be happy to tell you all the phases of the processes carried out and the choices made. Indeed, the production of the “Podere Case Piacche” high-quality oil begins in the fields, with the choice of eco-friendly cultivation techniques which are respectful of the environment and consumers and with the preferred use of natural manuring (sheep manure) and, for any particular treatment, only of products suitable for organic farming. Special attention is paid to the time of harvesting, consequently the olive maturation process is constantly monitored. The time of harvesting is in the area in the first half of November, when olives have reached the right stage of maturity.
Because of the importance of the harvesting methods and of the olives conservation for the quality of the future oil, on the farm harvesting machines are employed and olives are brought to the mill immediately after being harvested. Indeed, in order to avoid a prolonged stay of the harvested olives on the farm, arrangements have been made with two olive mills, both employing cold-pressing and paying special attention to all the phases of the processing cycle. The oil produced isn’t filtered so as not to remove substances such as polyphenols, which are important for their antioxidant function. Oil is then stored on the farm in a dark place, safe from ultraviolet rays, and is finally bottled before being sold. Any sediment at the bottom of the bottle is a sign of the artisanal processing of the product.
During your stay on the farm you may also visit the permanent exhibition of the Pistoian painter Lando Landini, which is located in some historical rooms of the farm.
