Ca’Orologio Organic wine Farm
Location
Ca’Orologio is located in Baone, a municipality found on the southern slopes of the Euganean Hills, in the Colli Euganei controlled designation of origin zone. The name probably derives from the festivities held here in honour of Bacchus during Roman times and the district has been vineyard terrain since ancient times.
Bacchus
Pignoria says that some think Baone, whose southern part lies at the foot of Calaone, must have been named for Bacchus because in the past festivities in honour of Bacchus were held there, and raised voices and shouting were noteworthy. But whatever the origin of its name there is no doubt that Baone, for its position and the delicacy of its wines, is second to none of our hills. [Pietro Maria Frambotto – Historia di Padova 1678 ]
Climate
Mediterranean in type, with mild winters and dry summers. Average temperatures are higher than in the surrounding lowland areas and this is a habitat for thermophile plant species typical of the Mediterranean maquis (even capers and prickly pears!), with cultivation of olives here dating back to antiquity.
Soils
Each of the hills making up the Euganean landscape is the result of a distinct geological evolution. Each soil, therefore, has its own personality. The soils of La Quercia (Mount Cecilia) have a carbonate bedrock, originating from the disintegration of the source rock, a sedimentary limestone known as biancone. Salarola soils, towards Calaone (the pass between Mount Cero and Mount Castello), formed on a trachytic* type of eruptive rock. The cultivated land, with terracing and contouring, has slight or medium gradients depending on the location, and ranges in altitude from 50 to 150 metres.
Today
The farm now covers a total area of thirty-four hectares, with eleven under vine.
In 1999 we converted to organic methods and since 2009 we have been applying the biodynamic farming rules to all types of terrain.
Before 2001 all production was sold to third parties, until we began our own winemaking in 2002.
We also have old olive trees, which had been neglected for years and have now been recovered to produce olive oil, working with an oil mill. The recovery of the trees was gradual, applying rejuvenation pruning on the older plants. In 1997, a new olive grove was planted, using the typical local rasara and matosso (70%) varieties.
Ca’Orologio has had organic certification for all soils and crops since 2000
* trachytic, from trachyte, a volcanic rock