New members have joined the big family of Ligurian PDO EVO. Let us meet them from the Ponente (west) to the Levante (east).
Located in Pompeiana, a small centre in the province of Imperia, the Azienda Agricola Bassan is run by Demis Bassan and his family. A few hundreds metres from the sea, this fertile spot (of ancient Roman-Ligurian rural origins) boasts excellent climate and views. Bassan focuses on crus, that is EVOs from selected production areas – e.g. Costa Panera and the Chiuse – which differ in altitude and sun exposure: the output is represented by exceptional declinations of the EVO from the PDO Riviera Ligure-Riviera dei Fiori subarea (the kingdom of Taggiasca).
The same paradigm applies in the Azienda Agricola Cà Sottane, set close to Borgomaro (province of Imperia), again ancient Roman-Ligurian rural origins. 2,000 years of history show in Laura Russo’s enthusiasm and energy: nature rules in this agriturismo with restaurant (governed by mamma Brigitte). Cuisine and PDO Riviera Ligure EVO prove once more the most appropriate of matches.
In Imperia the Amoretti & Gazzano brand tells a centennial tale of EVO artistry, commercial savvy and strong bonds with the territory.
In the Dianese area oil mills operated by water (“gumbi” in the local dialect) are still to be found along the San Pietro stream. The Gumbi del Ponte, in fact, supply the Olio dei Parilla. An Italian story of creativity, technical skills and rural settings among the fertile terraced olive groves of Diano Borganzo.
The Riviera del Ponente Savonese subarea features new entries, too. The Cooperativa Olivicola di Arnasco is a best practice of commitment for the recovery of dry stone walls (now featuring in UNESCO World Heritage List) and terraced rural settings, not to forget about community spirit, testified by the high-speed growth of member numbers. The focus is on local cultivars such as the Arnasca.
The Azienda Agricola Amerio Andrea is located in the province of Savona, too. The Albenga plain hosts this family business run by Andrea, a young entrepreneur whose focus is on biodiversity. The Taggiasca cultivar (standing for 50% of the PDO Riviera Ligure – Riviera del Ponente Savonese subarea EVO) is accompanied by an array of other cultivars passionately grown by Andrea: Colombara, Olivotto and Carparina. The latter provides the “olio delle Alpi” (the oil of the Alps), a rarity featuring only in the area between Ortovero and Pietra Ligure.
Last but not least, let us move to Vezzano Ligure, set between the Vara and Magra valleys (province of La Spezia). The agriturismo Il Giardino a Villa de Nobili is an ancient property, developed after the “villa with outbuildings” model – the ideal blend of history, architecture and landscape. The surrounding habitat is intact: seven hectares of olive groves and vineyards. Biodiversity rules: Razzola, Leccino and a variety of selected cultivars, the stars of PDO Riviera Ligure-Riviera di Levante EVO, the most emotional of products.
